Adelaide Zoo, one of Adelaide’s most iconic attractions, is home to more than 2,500 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish exhibited over eight hectares of magnificent botanic surroundings.

Adelaide Zoo is the second oldest zoo in the nation and represents a significant part of South Australia’s heritage and social history. Since Adelaide Zoo first opened to the public in 1883, generations of South Australians have shared in the wonder of a visit to the zoo.

It’s a relaxing green city oasis and vibrant sanctuary that gives you the feeling of stepping into another world. It’s full of diversity, colour and unique things to see and do. It offers an intimate zoo experience speckled with elements of curiosity, fantasy, fun and surprise.

Adelaide Zoo is the only major metropolitan zoo in Australia to be owned and operated by a conservation charity, Zoos SA.

Opening Hours and Parking

Adelaide Zoo is open from 9:30am – 5pm every day of the year, including Christmas and all public holidays.

Please note the opening times for the following areas:

Panda Exhibit 9:45am – 4:45pm.
Zoo Shop 9:30am – 5pm
Panda Shop 11am-3pm (11am-4pm during school holidays and on weekends)
Reptile House 10am – 4:30pm (4:45pm weekends and public holidays)
Nocturnal House 10am – 4:30pm (4:45pm weekends and public holidays).
Walk-through Aviaries 9:30am – 4:30pm (4:45pm weekends and public holidays).
Westpac Envirodome 10am – 4:30pm (4:45pm weekends and public holidays)

Animals in the Children’s Zoo may be fed from the exterior with zoo animal food that is available for purchase for $2 (subject to availability). There is a total feeding ban in all other areas.

Parking

Visitors have access to a number of 4 and 10 hour parking spaces; Zoos SA recommends reviewing parking access through the Botanic Gardens link provided below:

Parking on Plane Tree Drive

Map of the Zoo

Download PDF map here.

Nature's Playground

Take a walk on the wild side and have fun with nature inspired play equipment suitable for all abilities.

The new play space is a wonderful environment where visitors of all ages can let their imaginations run wild, have fun, challenge themselves and explore the natural world.

The playground includes play equipment built on nature play principles that stimulate all the senses through climbing structures, water play features, a natural creek bed and aerial walkways. The precinct also has disability friendly toilets, a new parent’s room and an undercover function area suitable for birthday parties and other unique functions.

Find out more

Meet the Keeper

Adelaide Zoo offers a wide range of daily zoo keeper talks and animal feeds that give guests the opportunity to interact with our friendly staff and learn about the zoo’s unique residents. Follow the presentation schedule to get the most out of your visit to Adelaide Zoo.

Click here to see the full keeper presentations schedule.

Looking for a more unique animal experience? Consider booking a Westpac Brief Animal Encounter or a Behind the Scenes Animal Experience, proudly supported by AGL, to come face-to-face with some of our remarkable animal residents.

Find out more here!

Adelaide Zoo app

Have a virtual keeper in the palm of your hand next time you visit Adelaide Zoo with our new free interactive app!

Adelaide Zoo has become the first Australian zoo to utilise intuitive iBeacon technology which will transform your next visit by pushing information about the zoo straight to your smart phone, iPad or tablet, thanks to our sponsors Beach Energy, technological partner Specialist apps and corporate partner KernWi-Fi for providing free Wi-Fi at Adelaide Zoo.

The exciting new technology will act as a personal tour guide during your visit to Adelaide Zoo, providing an interactive map featuring information about the zoo, its animals and conservation work at the touch of a button.

As you walk around the zoo, the app will alert you to points of interest around the zoo and provide interesting and practical information such as species facts, the location of the closest facilities and educational tools.

Hear from our keepers directly as you explore Adelaide zoo and learn about the more than 3,000 animals that call the zoo home.

Make sure you download the free app from iTunes or Google Play before your next visit and experience Adelaide Zoo like never before.

Download the Adelaide Zoo app today!

The app was made possible by our sponsor Beach Energy and technology partner Specialist Apps.

Download our app in 3 easy steps!

1. Go to your favourite app store
2. Search for “Adelaide Zoo”
3. Download the “Adelaide Zoo” app to your device

Download the app using your home Wi-Fi to avoid longer download times and buffering whilst at the Zoo.

Precincts

Nature’s Playground – Now Open

Take a walk on the wild side these school holidays and experience our new Nature’s Playground. Have fun with nature inspired play equipment suitable for all abilities.

The new play space is a wonderful environment where visitors of all ages can let their imaginations run wild, have fun, challenge themselves and explore the natural world.

Using nature play principles, the playground has been designed to encourage unstructured play and includes nature-inspired play equipment, a function space and new parent room.

Find out more

Cafes

Wisteria Restaurant

Wisteria Restaurant is open from 9am-4:30pm daily and offers a range of tasty treats, small bites and hot meals.

Fig Tree Cafe

Located in the centre of the zoo, the Fig Tree Café offers a great range of quick and delicious snack and lunch options.

Services and Facilities

Adelaide Zoo services and facilities ensure an enjoyable and fulfilling experience whether you are a day visitor, attending an educational excursion or an afterhours function.

Picnic and Rest Areas – a historic undercover rotunda, benches and wide sweeping lawns for picnics and more intimate shady glades are positioned throughout the gardens
Public Amenities – including disabled toilets and baby change rooms
Vending Machines – provided throughout the zoo for drinks, ice-creams and other light refreshments
Lockers are available for day hire including small ($10), medium ($12) and large ($15) sizes.
First Aid facilities – first aid facilities are available at the zoo
Disabled Access – the zoo provides ramps and railings for disability access
Guide Dogs – Due to strict quarantine regulations, guide dogs and assistance animals are not permitted to enter the zoo, this is for the safety of zoo animals as well as the assistance animals.

Available for Hire

Zoobaru – pusher hire $15
Wheelchair hire – $15 (includes $10 deposit, pre-booking recommended)

We have a limited number of wheelchairs for hire. If you wish to hire one for your visit to Adelaide Zoo please ring 08 8267 3255 to reserve.

Accessibility Information

Parking

The Botanic Gardens of South Australia owns and operates all parking on Plane Tree Drive and offers a number of disabled parks close to the zoo main entrance.

Visitors have access to a number of 4 and 10 hour parking spaces; Zoos SA recommends reviewing parking access through the Botanic Gardens link provided below:

Parking on Plane Tree Drive

Concession Pricing

Zoos SA offers a range of admission options and offers a discounted concession rate with any valid Government issued concession card.

Click here to purchase your tickets.

Government Issued Carer & Companion Cards

Zoos SA recognises the national Government issued Companion Card and Carer Australia Card. Free entry is offered for carers accompanying a person with a disability when using one of the approved cards below.

Zoos SA recognises and accepts the below Government Issued Carer & Companion Cards:

Government issued Carers Australia card for each Australian State
Government issued Companion Card for each Australian State
QLD Government Issued Carer Card
Government issued Foster Carer Card
SA Department for Education and Child Development
We Care Victoria Government Carer Card

Wheelchair Hire

Wheelchairs are available for hire from the Information Desk located near the zoo entrance. The hire cost is $15, which is inclusive of a $10 deposit. It is recommended that if you wish to hire a wheelchair for your zoo visit, to book in advance by contacting our friendly bookings team on 08 8267 3255.

Service Animals

Zoos SA is unfortunately unable to allow assistance animals on site due to federal quarantine restrictions. Temporary accommodation for assistance dogs can be provided; however, it is recommend leaving service animals at home. Zoos SA recommends visiting with friends or family who can assist during your visit.

Bathrooms

Adelaide Zoo is equipped with accessible toilet facilities to ensure the safety and privacy of all our visitors.

Accessible toilets are located at:

Natures Playground (Map Ref: 14C)

Rotunda (Map Ref: 9H)

Envirodome (Map Ref: 10Q)

Hoist Facility

The Natures Playground accessible toilet is fitted with a full body ceiling hoist that is readily available and designed to meet the needs of the individual and carer while visiting the zoo. The following information is important to note:

Individuals will need to bring their own loop sling upon visiting the zoo.
This hoist is compatible with loop style slings, as opposed to clip style slings.
The hoist is Regent brand and made from mesh fabric.
Fitted with a 2 point spreader bar and colour coded positioning lifting straps.
Excellent back and neck support for individuals who require this type of assistance.
Made to Australian standards N.A.T.A.
(Please note that the ceiling hoist SWL is 200kg, this is the maximum weight it can take regardless of the SWL of the sling).
Zoo employees and volunteers are neither permitted nor trained to lift an individual or help them inside a restroom.

This disability hoist is proudly supported by PQSA and supplied by Equip 4 Living.

Download the ‘Handimove Sling User Guide’

Seating and Drinking Fountains

Accessible drinking fountains are readily available and situated throughout the Zoo.

Seating options and picnic tables are also available and can be located using the map key.

Café/Restaurant

The Wisteria Restaurant and Fig Tree Café offer a range of tasty treats and hot food. Both sites are wheelchair accessible and offer highchair and seating facilities.

Zoo Shop

The Zoo shop is wheelchair accessible and located next to the zoo main entrance. Don’t miss the chance to purchase unique zoo memorabilia; it’s the best way to remember your experience at one of Adelaide’s most iconic attractions.

Getting Around

Adelaide Zoo retains many of its original buildings and features, in which some are state heritage listed places. Our walkways and trails are accessible for individuals with wheelchairs, please refer to the map key to familiarise yourself with the location of the only stair case within the zoo.

Getting Here

Adelaide Zoo is situated on Frome Road, near the River Torrens. Entry is via Frome Road (follow the signs) or Plane Tree Drive next to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

Please note that due to O’Bahn extension construction works, from 10 April 2016 all right-hand turns at the Botanic Rd, Hackney Rd, Dequetteville Tce and North Tce intersection will be restricted.

Access to Plane Tree Drive to park and visit the Zoo is still available if travelling north, south or along Hackney Rd, but right hand turns onto Hackney Rd when departing Plane Tree Drive are no longer available.

Car

Limited metered ticket parking is available on Plane Tree Drive, War Memorial Drive and Frome Road. All metered parking is operated by either Adelaide Botanic Gardens or Adelaide City Council. There is no parking available on the grounds of Adelaide Zoo.

Wilsons Parking – special offer to Adelaide Zoo Visitors

Wilsons Parking on Frome Road (next to the Royal Adelaide Hospital) offer a special $10 flat rate all day parking on weekends for Zoo Visitors. To claim the special parking offer, you must validate your ticket prior to exiting the Zoo. The ticket validator is located within the Zoo shop.

Special offer for Boo at the Zoo visitors

Wilsons Parking on Frome Road (next to the Royal Adelaide Hospital) offer a special $10 flat rate for Zoo visitors attending the 2016 Boo at the Zoo afternoon/evening event on Friday October 28th. To claim the special parking offer, you must validate your ticket prior to exiting the Zoo. The ticket validator is located within the Zoo shop.

Bus

Buses stop on Frome Road directly outside the zoo (Bus number 271 or 273 from Currie Street). Visit Adelaide Metro for more details.

The half-hourly Connector Bus passes the Adelaide Oval and many of the UPark carparks in the city.

Bike

Free bike racks are provided within the entry precinct, just outside the Santos Conservation Centre. Best routes to Adelaide Zoo include the Torrens Linear Park and cycle paths along all major arterial roads.

Boat

The Popeye boats are privately owned recreational ferries that operate on the River Torrens between Elder Park and Adelaide Zoo. You can purchase a one-way ticket from Elder Park and disembark from the river cruise at the zoo. For further information contact the operator by calling 08 8223 5863.

Adelaide Zoo Gardens

The magnificent landscaping of Adelaide Zoo is the result of more than 130 years of care and attention.

Our horticultural teams’ role is to design, develop, maintain and continually evolve the gardens and grounds within Adelaide Zoo to create a naturalistic botanical setting that extends from public areas to animal habitats.

Learn More

Interstate Zoo Members

Zoos SA recognises reciprocal membership rights of the following Australian zoos:

Taronga Conservation Society of Australia (Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo)
Perth Zoo
Zoos Victoria (Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary)

Please note South Australian residents holding Zoos Victoria membership will no longer receive free child member entry to Adelaide and Monarto Zoos and will be required to pay normal admission to enter. This reflects a national change to reciprocal entry rights among participating zoos.

This only applies to Zoos Victoria child members between 4-14 years old who live in NSW, ACT, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia.

It does not affect Zoo Victoria adult members, wherever they live, who will still enjoy free admission to all participating zoos.

To gain access to both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos with your reciprocal rights entitlement, please provide ID (showing a photo + address), your valid interstate membership card and a letter of validity if your membership card does not have an expiry date listed (so we can determine that your membership has not expired) from your parent zoo and present them to gate staff on entry. Zoos Victoria Members only need to supply all current membership cards and photo ID.

A letter of validity can be obtained from your member organisation by phoning;

Taronga Zoo Friends Office – 02 9969 2777
Perth Zoo Friends Office – 08 9474 0350
Zoos Vic Member – 1300 966 784

Offset your visit to Adelaide Zoo

Environmental sustainability is living within the limits of what the environment can provide. It’s about understanding the many interconnection between the economy, society and the environment. More so it’s about the equal distribution of resources and opportunities. Learn how you can reduce your carbon footprint and help wildlife.

Climate change is already impacting species and their habitat. By adopting more sustainable practices we can help reduce the impact of climate change.

Zoos SA has a sustainability program to reduce our footprint. We undertake voluntary carbon planting to counter our carbon emissions, while also creating new habitat for species.