Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide Zoo is a must for anyone visiting Adelaide, especially those who love to view exotic animals close up. One great things about the Adelaide zoo is the ongoing move away from cement cages with bars. Most of the exhibits are now much more natural and open plan, many enabling visitors to feel like they are right in with the animnals, on pathways through enclosures or boardwalks. They are planted and landscaped with specific relevance to their inhabitants.

The Adelaide Zoo is home to over 3,400 animals from 300 different species. From a variety of big cats and apes, to tiny hopping mice and reptiles. The huge Galapagos Tortoises are a marvel to behold and the alligators watch you from murky depths. Hippos wallow and snort spray into the air! Giraffes look down upon you from lofty heights. And who could forget the fascinating and appealing meerkats, with their appointed guards, while the rest fossick and scamper? The zoo has a great collection of Australian native animals also.

The Adelaide Zoo is Australia's second oldest zoo, having been opened on 23rd of May 1883 on 6.5 hectares- later increased to 8 hectares- of land granted to them by the Government of the time. The Zoo was founded by the South Australian Acclimatisation and Zoological Society, which later became the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia.
R E Minchin was the original zoo director, from 1882 to 1893, and the post was passed on to both his son and grandson.

The zoo has many buildings which are of architectural importance, including its magnificent front entrance on Frome Road, and the marvellous old former Elephant House, which housed the beloved Samorn for many years. These features are heritage listed by the National Trust of South Australia. including the front entrance on Frome Road, and the former Elephant House.

The Children's Zoo is a wonderful place where you can get close to the animals, and even touch some of them. Watch out for the pesky goats and deer who think everything is edible! Animals in the Children's Zoo can be fed with the special food available from the Children’s Zoo gatekeeper at the following times: 10am - 12noon & 2pm - 4pm. Feeding animals in any other part of the zoo is strictly forbidden!

Facilities include ample areas for picnicking in the beautiful grounds, toilets, parent's facilities, fully licensed cafe, vending machines, conference and function centre for hire, zoo shop for souveniers, first aid facilities, disabled access, ATM and eftpos. You can hire pushers, wheelchairs and lockers to help make your visit easier.

Please Note: Guide Dogs - Guide Dogs may enter the front gate and are given a suitable area with shelter and water while their owner visits the Zoo. Guide Dogs are not allowed through the Zoo, as it is a quarantine zone.

The zoo is open every day 9:30am-5pm. In the summer, the Zoo offers special evenings when it remains open later.
The Zoo Shop is open 9:30am-4:45pm.
The Reptile House, Nocturnal House, and Walk-through Aviaries are open 10am - 4.30pm

Entry prices (2007) are-

Adults: $18

Children 4-14 (under 4 free): $10

Concession: $14

Family (2 adults, 3 children): $52

You can also join the Royal Zoological Society which then entitles you to free entry to the Adelaide Zoo, and others, for the period of your membership.

Free guided tours of the zoo depart from outside the zoo shop at 10:30pm and 2:30pm each day.

Animal feeding times are as follows (subject to change):

Sealions 11:45am daily
Lions 2pm Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
Gorillas 1:30pm daily
Pelicans 2:30pm daily
Penguins 2:45pm daily
Leopards 3:15pm Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Sunday and Public Holidays
Australian Rainforest Bird Feeding 3:30pm daily (Australian Rainforest/Wetlands Aviary)
Macaws Freeflight Display - 1pm daily

The Adelaide Zoo is located on Frome Rd Adelaide, South Australia.

Phone: +61 (0)8 8267 3255