There are numerous zoos and wildlife parks in and near Adelaide for you to explore with the whole family. What’s more, Adelaide is the only place in Australia where you can see a giant panda, and there are a plethora of zoos and wildlife parks to visit. There is also an abundance of things to do in Adelaide with kids, making it one of our favourite cities to visit in Australia.
So…. which is the best zoo in Adelaide?
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Each zoo and wildlife park in Adelaide is quite unique and will suit different families. We will try to provide you with enough information so you and your family can make the decision yourself.
Personally, we love Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Zoo for their strong conservation commitment and both are not for profit. However, we will take our younger niece and nephew to Hahndorf Farm Barn when we return – its hands on and a lot of fun!
Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide Zoo is the second oldest zoo in Australia (Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo) and is a non-for-profit organisation. Situated on 20 acres, Adelaide zoo boasts over 3,000 animals on-site, across 300 species. It is here at Adelaide Zoo that you can visit Australia’s only giant pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni.
Animal experiences at Adelaide Zoo are numerous (we counted 19) but our favourites for kids are the Junior Keeper experience, Meet the Primates, Inspect an Insect and the lemur experience. You can check out all the options here.
The Junior Keeper Experience is for kids 10 years and over and consists of a morning learning all about animal care and assisting the knowledgeable Variety Children’s Zookeepers. Participants will feed, interact with and get up close to some incredible children’s zoo animals like goats, guinea pigs, rabbits and quokkas.
Head to the Adelaide Zoo website for further details.
Monarto Safari Park
If you dream of going to Africa to see the animals on the savannah but can’t quite get there, well the Monarto Safari Park might be the answer until you can leave Australia. It is the largest open-range safari experience in the world outside Africa and boasts more than 50 different species of exotic and native animals.
Sometimes referred to as the Monarto Zoo Adelaide but visitors, there are currently 12 animal encounters available including the giraffe safari, lions 360 (we did this and loved it!) and meet the rhinos. Make sure you check out the daily keeper talks where you can learn more about each animal and see them feeding.
Head to the Monarto Safari Park for more details.
Cleland Wildlife Park
Opening way back in 1967, the Cleland Wildlife Park provides an immersive nature experience for visitors a mere 20 minutes from Adelaide CBD.
Cleland Wildlife Park features native Australian animals including marsupials such as koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, bettongs, and potoroos; dingoes; echidnas; native birds, water birds and forest birds and reptiles, including some wonderful snakes.
Visitors will enjoy the free animal feedings across the day (check the times on arrival). You could also include a reptile hold, butterfly experience, echidna encounter or other amazing animal encounters available at the Cleland Wildlife Park when you visit.
Head to Cleland Wildlife Park for more details.
Gorge Wildlife Park
Opening in 1965, the Gorge Wildlife Park is set on 14 acres and has been run by the same family for the entire time. Over that time the family has curated the largest privately owned collection of Australian and exotic animals, birds and reptiles in the country
If you have ever wanted to cuddle a koala, then the Gorge Wildlife Park might just be the Adelaide zoo for you with daily ‘cuddle encounters’ available. You can also view a range of Aussie animals as well as animals from further afar such as American Alligators, Meerkats, Otters, playful Monkeys and more.
Further animal encounters include the Ring-Tailed Lemur Encounter, Meerkat Encounter and Reptile Encounter. You will likely need to book in advance to secure your booking.
Head to the Gorge Wildlife Park for more details.
Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated in the Adelaide Hills, the Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1969 and is home to a plethora of Australian native animals. There are currently five distinct habitats at the Sanctuary, where you will see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and more, all enjoying life in their natural surroundings.
There are a number of animal encounter opportunities including koala capers where you can feed and pat a koala; dingo delirium – 15 minutes behind the scenes experience with these apex predators; a 30 minute Wings ’n’ Things encounter with a range of the Sanctuary’s birds; a 30-minute reptile encounter; or a 30-minute encounter with a Peregrine Falcon or barn Owl. Book your spot in advance so you don’t miss out.
Children 6 to 16 years of age can also book into the Warrawong Junior Keeper program. With only 5 spaces a day, make sure you book in advance so the kids can enjoy this behind-the-scenes experience allowing them to feed, pat, hold, and care for a huge range of animals at the Sanctuary.
Head to the Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary for more details.
Hahndorf Farm Barn
The Hahndorf Farm Barn is part farm, part wildlife park. It is a place where the kids can get up and close with a range of animals and also try their hand at milking a cow, take a pony ride, bottle feed baby lambs and hand-feed the camels and donkeys. It’s a wonderful place to visit!
Head to the Hahndorf Farm Barn for more details.
Zoos and Wildlife Parks In and Near Adelaide Map
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Adelaide is such a fun city to visit in Australia. It’s laid back, offering a great lifestyle with amazing food. We’re building our resources to help you plan your trip.
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