Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide Zoo is one of Australia's oldest zoos, offering a lush, heritage-listed setting just a short stroll from the city centre. Home to over 2,500 animals from 250 species, it's a must-visit for families and wildlife enthusiasts. The zoo's leafy avenues and historic architecture provide a charming backdrop for close encounters with native and exotic creatures.

Highlights & What to See

• Giant Pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni – the only pair in the Southern Hemisphere, housed in a purpose-built bamboo forest enclosure.
• Nocturnal House – watch bilbies, echidnas and other Australian nightlife in a reversed day-night cycle.
• South-East Asian Rainforest – spot Sumatran tigers, orangutans and siamangs among dense tropical planting.
• Children's Zoo – pet friendly farm animals and watch keeper talks; a hit with younger visitors.
• Free-Range Kangaroo Walk – meet red kangaroos and wallabies up close in an open habitat.
• Behind-the-Scenes Experiences – book a panda keeper encounter or a giraffe feeding session for an unforgettable memory.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 2–4 hours exploring the zoo at a relaxed pace. Arrive early to catch the morning keeper talks, which run from 10:30am. If you have children, plan for a half-day to include a picnic and a ride on the heritage carousel. The zoo is compact enough to cover in a morning, but you could easily linger until mid-afternoon.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Adelaide Botanic Garden – just a 15-minute walk away, with stunning glasshouses and seasonal blooms.
• North Terrace – Adelaide's cultural boulevard, home to the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum.
• Rundle Mall – the city's main shopping strip, a 20-minute walk from the zoo.
• Hahndorf – a charming German-influenced village 30 minutes' drive away, perfect for lunch and local crafts.
• Cleland Wildlife Park – 20 minutes' drive in the Adelaide Hills, where you can hand-feed kangaroos and koalas.

Please check official sources for current details.