National Zoo & Aquarium
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ā¹ļø Information
This storied, 25-acre site offers exotic & native animal encounters, zookeeper talks & picnic areas.
The National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra is a must-visit destination for families and animal lovers. Experience a stunning mix of wildlife and marine life in beautifully designed enclosures that allow animals plenty of space to roam. Highlights include:
- Up-close animal encounters that create unforgettable memories.
- Friendly and knowledgeable staff ready to enhance your visit.
- A fantastic variety of animals, including unique species and impressive big cats.
- Beautifully landscaped areas and shaded spots for relaxation.
- A large, engaging playground perfect for children, along with picnic areas near the cafƩ.
- Easy navigation throughout the zoo, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
The well-maintained facilities and cheerful atmosphere make it an enjoyable day out for all ages. Donāt miss out on the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about conservation efforts in a stunning environment!
š Opening hours
- SUNDAY: 9:30-17H
- MONDAY: 9:30-17H
- TUESDAY: 9:30-17H
- WEDNESDAY: 9:30-17H
- THURSDAY: 9:30-17H
- FRIDAY: 9:30-17H
- SATURDAY: 9:30-17H
šļø Buy your ticket
š£ļø National Zoo & Aquarium: Reviews
Positive experience: Very nice zoo, peaceful and nice walk trail for my 2 year old. Very imprised. However the entry price is so hight. I went with my brothers so 4 aldult tickets made me bankcraft.
Positive experience: The animal inclosures were quite busy with shrubbery, probably needs a tidy, hard to see most of the animals. Aquarium was disappointing, not a lot to see. Cafe and bistro was decent, coffee was bland, but food was good with average pricing.
Fantastic experience: It was great I went with my youngest daughter and she loved it ā¤ļø I was lucky enough to hear the male African lion do this weird bellowing noise over and over it was very surreal it almost sounded like it was coming out of speakers you also have the option to pay for over night packages where you can sleep with lions,cheetahs and other animals right at your bedroom windows it's amazing you actually can also eat dinner and have the animals come up to you hand feed the wild animals its obviously not cheap but worth it also there is a baby lion I believe it's a girl if I remember so all round great experience for the family or even you and the Mrs
Fantastic experience: Totally worth it allow the whole day especially if you have young kids the playground is excellent
Positive experience: This large zoo and aquarium is popular with ACT folk and tourists. It is located on 25 hectares of land and near Canberra. It is privately owned and hence entry fees are on the higher side. It is nevertheless a good place to visit and we found that the guide map with numbered exhibits was particularly useful as you may miss out on an exhibit otherwise. Fair bit of walking around though some spots are under shade. The terrain can be uneven. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Toilets available. Cafes and restaurants available around the zoo. Lovely place for picnic. Parking is easy and plentiful though can be crowded at peak times. Best to go there early to avoid the heat and crowds. The aquarium has nice exhibits too and it popular with children. Great place for photography. Takes about 2 to 3 hours overall to visit
Fantastic experience: If you are looking for a great day out in Canberra head here! The zoo is well presented and has a excellent variety of well kept animals
Fantastic experience: Its amazing but the adventure trail was a bit confusing. Didn't lead to white lion.
Negative experience: Very expensive for the value. The aquarium held a few fish, that was all. The map is incredibly confusing and inaccurate. Several displays featured animals that seemed distressed, rocking, pacing, hiding. All in all not a good experience
Negative experience: I donāt like this zoo. We came all the way from Melbourne and I have enjoyed nearly every zoo Iāve seen so far, but this one, just couldnāt get motivated to walk around, donāt bother coming! The staff in the gift shop/cafe/entry arenāt friendly at all. And the zoo itself is annoying, all their enclosures are behind huge barriers so you canāt see or get photos as the actual enclosures are either wire, mesh, or glass that you canāt see through due to all the reflections. We saw the full aquarium. It was rather disappointing, the animals there are cute but some seem as if they arenāt cared for properly and a lot of the fish they advertise arenāt there, such as the humphead wrasse. I got a bit sick just of coincidence or maybe exhaustion as it was a bit hot and this is a really big zoo, so havenāt seen the whole thing. But it seems like it would have been a waste of time and effort to walk around such a huge zoo just to see nothing anyway. Iād never visit again. And I donāt recommended it. P.S entry fee is so expensive. Asked for a refund due to not enjoying it and feeling sick, they wonāt even consider it and seemed rather disgusted. Save your money and go see something nicer.
Negative experience: As annual Silver Card family members, we spend most weekends in the zoo with our children. However, we didnāt expect today's incident OUTSIDE THE ZOO has completely ruined our experience and trust We were walking our dog on the Bicentennial National Trail, which runs right alongside the zoo fence that OUTSIDE THE ZOO. We noticed a tiger in an enclosure about 20 meters away behind 2 separate fences. we were surprised so stopped on the trail to take a few photos for a minute. We were silent, and our small dog was also quiet and leashed. As we were leaving, a zoo vehicle sped over inside the perimeter. An overweighted male staff shouted at us extremely rudely: "Don't let your dog teasing the tiger! We have cameras everywhere and we are watching you!" This was shocking and confusing for several reasons: 1ļøā£ We were on a public national trail OUTSIDE THE ZOO, a space shared with kangaroos, horses riders, cyclists, and other dog walkers. 2ļøā£ If me, my kid and a quiet, leashed dog standing 20 meters away on a public path OUTSIDE THE ZOO behind 2 separate fences is considered a "teasing," it indicates a serious flaw in the zoo's enclosure design and security. 3ļøā£ There are no warning signs whatsoever along the trail advising visitors of any risk or prohibiting stopping. The zoo relies on a simple fence facing a major public trail instead of a solid barrier or relocating the enclosure. Instead of addressing this design issue professionally (by building a proper wall, adding signage, or moving the exhibit), your staff's first response is to aggressively intimidate and threaten loyal members and public trail users. We will not be renewing our membership until significant changes are made to secure the perimeter facing the public trail. We also advise other trail users to be cautious when passing the zoo. We will certainly reported this public safety and staff conduct issue to the relevant management authorities.
Negative experience: The staff at this zoo did not make us feel welcome and had the bare minimum of manners. Saying they didnāt want to make us milkshakes for no specific reason. They were making many rude and blunt comments. They really dragged the energy of this zoo.
Fantastic experience: Great day out for the Family and my son loves it. Buying the Annual pass was the best. When we add up the cost of the play centres we use during the week. The one off Annual pass was so worth it and 1/3 the cost overall.
Fantastic experience: The National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra is hands down one of the best zoos Iāve been to in Australia! The zoo is huge with an incredible range of animals, and what made it even better was the number of opportunities to get up close and interact with them. We went in with no expectations (it was a last-minute decision), but it turned out to be one of the best choices we made on our trip to Canberra. I canāt recommend it highly enough! Tip: Start your visit from car park 1 or 4 and loop around the zoo at a steady pace. We made the mistake of starting at car park 2, got a little lost trying to find the aquarium, and found it tricky to navigate at first. All in all, an amazing experience and a must-visit when in Canberra!
Fantastic experience: Pretty awesome place we went throughout the week on a Friday it was nice not busy at all there is a big park area for the kids to play the first kiosk was a let dow they only sold pies and sausage rolls but it wasnt until we got to 3/4 of the way did we see the bistro definitely wait until you get to that one as they have better food, I didn't really see a lot of keepers around sadly as I always love saying hi to them but the place was very clean and well maintained animals looked happy and lots of enrichment for the animals I would imagine this is a huge operation to manage overall I had a good time and didn't get a chance to hear any keeper talks but happy overall. Great work been wanting to come for years.
Fantastic experience: Absolutely love this zoo
Fantastic experience: A very nice, clean zoo. One of the few zoos where I felt physically closer to the animals. Their enclosures were clean and accessible. Well marked paths so you could make out a good route to go around.
Fantastic experience: Excellent place to enjoy with family and friends
Fantastic experience: Other than the unhappy lemurs it was really good. White lions were very tired and slept while we all looked on. Cheetahs were easy to see and one striding up and down. The giraffes were pretty cool too looking at us like he was talking to us. Loved the tiger who prowled around back and forth with his beautiful face.
Positive experience: A pleasant little zoo unfortunately let down by a confusing layout finding the exit to park #1 was crazy lots of basic animals but definitely worth a visit just don't expect Taronnga Zoo quality
Fantastic experience: Always a wonderful day out. The upgrades are amazing. Rhino cafe is always a must stop at.
Fantastic experience: What an amazing zoo! Do not underestimate this place, itās full of beautiful animals, with spacious enclosures and brings a very safe atmosphere for both animals and visitors. Absolutely loved this place, and canāt believe I havenāt been before. Highly recommend.
Fantastic experience: Well set out zoo and gardens. Reasonable prices with friendly staff. Had a great time!
Fantastic experience: Awesome zoo and the accommodation experience is well worth the money
Fantastic experience: Well kept, compact zoo but the space has been utilised well. They just need better food availability. Pack your own food if you have children
Fantastic experience: Really enjoyed our visit to the National Zoo. There was a wide variety of wildlife and an impressive aquarium. The animals were active and well cared for, housed in large well-maintained enclosures. Definitely worth a visit!
Fantastic experience: A really fun day out. Shame about the rain but meant for a quiet zoo. The park is well laid out and thoughtfully put together. There are little adventure walks as you go round and a fab playground. Itās such a lovely setting.
Fantastic experience: Impressive walk through of displays of animals. Kiosks provide good food.
Fantastic experience: We had the best day out at the National Zoo & Aquarium. The entrance fee is extremely reasonable. I paid extra for my boys (ages 13 & 19) to do the Meerkat Experience and it is worth every dollar. It is a memory that my boys will have forever. Cheers to Connor the Meerkat handler for his expertise and knowledge.
Fantastic experience: A must-visit in Canberra! The National Zoo & Aquarium offers an amazing mix of wildlife and marine life, with up-close animal encounters, friendly staff, and beautiful enclosures. Perfect for families and animal lovers alike!
Negative experience: As a long time member of this zoo, Iām consistently disappointed by the customer service and the way members are treated. The membership gates always have issues, theyāre difficult to use and it takes forever to be let in. The staff are often rude especially in the rhino cafe near the adventure playground. The food is overpriced. Last time I got chips, they filled the paper container halfway which is such a ripoff considering we all know how cheap chips are. They invest a lot in the playground which is clearly a money spinner for the zoo and it is quite good but theres always broken items in that area. This time there was a broken latch in the toddler section so my toddler couldnāt walk around freely. Another thing is they always get the membership expiry wrong on the newsletter, every single year. When I email them they donāt even respond. I think itās a good place for a day trip for tourists but they need to treat their members a bit better.
Dear Clair, At the National Zoo & Aquarium we very much value our members and their feedback. We would like to contact you privately, and ask for you to reach out to [email protected], to allow us to investigate your issues and hopefully resolve them for the future for yourself and our other members. Regards NZA Management
Fantastic experience: Edit: Changed review to reflect below response. Thank you for explaining the situation, it just made feel upset in the moment but I can understand now the behaviour of the animals.
Hi Mikhail Thanks for being concerned and taking the time to raise these worries with us. Otay the sun bear was rescued in Cambodia by Mary Hutton, the founder of Free the Bears, who have rescued over 1,000 bears in Asia. Otay was a cub whose mother was used in the restaurant trade, while she was kept in a tiny cage for 2 years until she was big enough to meet the same horrible fate. The cage was so small that the only possible movement for Otay was to sway back and forth. After rescuing her, Mary asked if we could take her. When she arrived, she swayed or paced for 85% of the time, even though for the first time in her life, she had lots of room to move. We managed to get Otay out of this routine by giving her plenty of enrichment activities and introducing her to Arataki, an incredibly good looking and virile male sun bear! Occasionally she still will sway or pace for short periods, but for most of the time she walks around her enclosures, climbs the various structures, interacts with Arataki or her keepers or plays/explores her enrichment challenges. We are sorry that you missed seeing our signs that detail her story and that you didnāt see all her climbing structures that are scattered throughout the 2 large habitats that she has access to at the zoo. The trees are blocked from climbing as the 2 sun bears would totally strip them bare in days and they would lose the natural shade and vegetation that they provide, so we have built various climbing structures throughout their area ā we are unsure how you didnāt see them as they are very large. Otay and Arataki bred a beautiful cub that we named Mary, who is now at Taronga Zoo. Otay has led a full and happy life at the zoo for 20 years and rather than being a sad story, it is an incredibly happy story after a tragic start to her life. You can help rescue other bears in Asia by contributing money, like we still do, to Free the Bears as below. https://freethebears.org/products/donate In regards to the tiger, if it was pacing it was probably mealtime ā they can tend to pace for a little while when their body-clocks let them know that itās time to eat! The only time we have seen one of our tigers rub its face against the wire is when it is being affectionate towards a keeper and wants a scratch. Thanks again for being concerned for our beautiful girl and our tigers!
Fantastic experience: Lots of animals and granddaughters loved hearing the lions roar! Yes, it was freezing but the animals still came out. The meerkats are a personal favourite.
Fantastic experience: Went to the zoo recently with my mum, partner and our 9 month old daughter. Such a well presented zoo with a great amount of animals to see including the dinosaur section :) one of the best zoos in Australia
Fantastic experience: Family yearly pass is well worth it if you live in the area. I will often take the kids to just visit one area of the zoo fot a few hours. It saves having to rush or spend the whole day there.
Fantastic experience: Fantastic zoo. Great atmosphere and wonderful staff
Fantastic experience: Fabulous zoo, the zoo staff are so friendly & knowledgeable. I did the sunrise visit experience, feeding the Tiger, Hyena, Meerkats, Otters, & got to hold a non-venomous Python!! Highly recommended.
Fantastic experience: Great day out for the family or if you are on your own.
Fantastic experience: Great day at the capitalās zoo. Not crowded at all and it just felt very nice to be here! Beautiful variety of animals.
Fantastic experience: Great little zoo, but still took us hours to see everything, worth the visit, really enjoyed ourselves. . Do it
Fantastic experience: We had an absolutely fantastic day. Animals are well kept and happy (especially the tassie devils who were having fun chasing each other around). Great variety of different animals and set out very well. The staff are lovely and very informative. It wasnt overly busy when we went so was great to be able to see the animals without huge crowds and being able to socially distance. Set out very well, was easy to traverse the park pregnant and with a toddler. Update 6/25 There's a lot of renovations happening especially in the aquarium (which is always my fav part). It will be amazing when its finished! Playground has been expanded since we last came and is huge and great for all ages!
Fantastic experience: Third time in three years I've been here, loved every time, the number of animals on display looked well looked after and the place was easy to walk around. Wish I knew more about that lemur with the amputated arm though, I could've sworn there were 2 at one time!
Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic day at the national zoo and aquarium. We did the cheetah walk and then did the enrichment tour. Both were amazing. The staff were all knowledgeable and friendly and we got so much out of the enrichment tour.
Positive experience: Went early in the day. Cooler, overcast day and being early meant animals were more active and easy to spot. No crowds. Good coffee, yummy snacks. Really enjoyed our stroll through the zoo and the aquarium. It is more expensive entry than other zoos but a nice outing nonetheless.
Positive experience: I've never seen a zoo and aquarium like national zoo and aquarium where you can take a close look and most of the animals are not in cages so yeah highly recommend for families, school kids etc.
Fantastic experience: My family and I absolutely loved our afternoon here. Bit of a walk around, so make sure you have comfortable shoes on. We were there the wknd that they were celebrating their 10th anniversary, so we were able to join in the happy birthday singing and cake sharing after some yummy hotdogs and burgers in a beautiful parklike area of the zoo. It's worth a visit for sure!
Positive experience: I was starting to worry that noone liked working at the zoo, dirty glass on the exhibits, looking very tired and not cared about BUT we went yesterday and it is a new place, the feeling is much better, it is cleaner and much better. I would like to know why the staff don't make eye contact though... Is it a rule that they shouldn't speak to visitors? We went with our three year old granddaughter who thinks the zoo is magical and she was ignored by every single staff member who walked past us.. . It was a bit strange.
Fantastic experience: We stopped by the National Zoo & Aquarium and were pleasantly surprised at how well set out it was. Easy to follow directions and beautifully landscaped areas for viewing & also in the animal enclosures & surrounds. Like most zoos, you wonāt spot every animal, but even when not as active, you do get to see a lot. Kids will love the playground area and also the Dinosaurs hidden amongst the trees and bushes. Keep your eyes open for the T-Rex. Itās huge. If you are looking for something a bit more special, book an experience whilst you are there. I can recommend the rhino experience, where you go behind the scenes & get up close. Iād recommend booking in advance any experience as they do sell out quickly. The carved wooden sculptures along the way are good to see as well. Lastly if you can afford it, consider staying at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge. We didnāt stay as it was way out of our price range, but whilst walking around the zoo you get to see where people stay and how close they are to the animals. Looked like a once in a lifetime experience.
Fantastic experience: Our family visited the zoo with two children (9 and 15). Arrived at opening and spent around 4 hours at the zoo. The range of animals and the information on how they were cared for was excellent. We used the zoo map for orientation which was informative. The zoo had accomodation options and many different places. Mid morning our girls had an ice block as we walked around. The area of the zoo was pretty big but it was reasonably flat and wheel chair was accessible. I would suggest to have a hearty breakfast and a good set of walking shoes. Pro the predators and big animals cons the native animals ie kangaroos and wombats etc exhibits was not great. I have been to a number of zoos in Australia and overseas and this was the best one. We purchased the Canberra tickets (3 entries) which was a good deal for us.
Fantastic experience: What a fabulous place. The animals were so close and the customer service amazing
Fantastic experience: We recently visited the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra for the second time, and once again, we had an amazing experience! There is such a wide variety of animals to see, including some really unique species, all housed in large, thoughtfully designed enclosures that allow them plenty of space to roam. One of the highlights for us was the fantastic play area ā itās huge and perfect for kids to burn off energy. Ours could have spent the entire day there! We also loved the picnic areas near the cafĆ©, shaded by trees, which made for a relaxing and comfortable spot to take a break. We definitely recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds and make the most of your visit. Itās a great day out for families and animal lovers alike, and weāre already looking forward to our next trip!
Fantastic experience: A wonderful experience with family, we visit the zoo more than once every year. Always refreshing to see the amazing animals. Highly recommend
Fantastic experience: Braved a very chilly morning start of 730 for the amazing "Awesome Roarsome Tour" a 90min spectacular. Enjoy the guided experience of feeding some of natures beauties. Share with yourself, and those close to you. On the 90 min guided tour you get to be up close with creatures you don't normally get to see every day. Given a personal rendition of each animal we encountered, their hierarchies and pet hates. Then the privilege of being able to feed the first morning snack of the day to such wonderful animals is an amazing experience to to not only part take in but also see your loved ones enjoy as well. We got to hold a corn snake, We fed The Alpha Hyena, We fed Jake the white lion. He let us know how displeased he was once the snacks ran out. We also got to feed very cute otters, One of the two brother Tigers, A still quite large but of the smaller of the Leopard types as well. A lovely beautiful female sun bear. She loved her sweet potato. And also gaze apon the meerkats after feeding them. And enjoy their shenanigans. My older teen and a younger say 8+ got to experience feeding each animal more then once, not sure if this was planned or not. Did make it seam more special. I definitely would rate this a 12 out of 10 ā's !! The wonder and amazement in my daughters eyes was well worth the money. Its an Experience they will always remember. Definitely not for toddlers. Once the tour is over your welcome to continue to look around the rest of the zoo. Check out the Aquarium and Reptiles and the Giraffes and more. Also a gift shop/cafe and a bistro as well. I would strongly suggest bringing a hot thermos of warm drinks with you in the colder months as the Cafe is not open before or during the tour. Please think eco smart and reduce waste by not bringing disposable coffee containers from outside the zoo. Wear sensible shoes. And appropriate clothing for Canberra's weather. You will not be dissapointed by what the NZ&A have to offer. They also advise to let them know of anything needed to aid or to be aware of ahead of time, to help visitors of all abilities get to experience the NZ&A. I will definitely be back again!
Fantastic experience: We love the zoo! My son is almost 20 months and he loves the lion and the aquarium. Plenty of parking, way too much to see and do in one day, the kids playground is the best I've ever seen, staff are super friendly and helpful, and it never feels crowded because it's so spacious. We bought the annual membership and we go several times a week so the little man can check out his favorites during the afternoon scaries. It really helps get through that hard afternoon period when little kids are cranky.
Positive experience: Animals never disappoint. The only issue was there is no public transport to and from here.
Fantastic experience: Superb complex! Animals are very well looked after! They are well fed and obviously cared for with a lot of love. Animal enclosures are excellent!
Fantastic experience: Had a fantastic day at the National Zoo and Aquarium! The enclosures are beautifully maintained and the animals all look healthy and well-cared for. We especially loved the meerkats and tree kangaroos, so adorable! The donation EFTPOS is located inside the small shelter next to the tree kangaroo enclosure. Feel free to drop by and show your support! The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer questions. Itās a perfect place for families or anyone who loves animals. Planned to visit for a day and bought single -day tickets, decided to upgrade an annual pass! Highly recommend spending a few hours here!
Positive experience: Beautiful zoo with a very natural feel. Animals were very active and easy to see. Not enough toilets around for the kids
Positive experience: Travelled from NSW to see the place. Recommend buying tickets online (cheaper and quicker). Ample free parking is available on site. The enclosures are large but not many animals around (at least when I went). Our favourite attraction was the Sri Lankan Leopard. Don't recommend the "close encounters" as it's not value for money. Can cover the zoo in half a day, only a Cafe is open at the main entrance so it's ideal to bring liquids and food with you. The best toilet is located within the Aquarium.
Fantastic experience: As longtime fans of Taronga Zoo, we thought weād already experienced the best when it came to zoos. But on our recent trip to Canberra, we decided to visit the National Zoo and Aquariumāand it completely exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the sense of space and openness. The layout gives you the feeling of being immersed in nature, and the family-friendly atmosphere was evident throughout. The animals were impressively active, and the keeper talks were informative and warm. The kidsā play area was a huge hitānot just for the little ones, but for adults too! Itās clear a lot of thought has gone into making the experience engaging for all ages. The staff were incredibly welcoming, and a special shout-out to Finn, who went above and beyond to assist us with a few questions. We left feeling thoroughly impressed and can confidently say itās one of the most enjoyable zoo visits weāve had. Highly recommended for families visiting Canberra!
Fantastic experience: Excellent zoo- a lot of diverse animals for a relatively small zoo, and a great aquarium section. The paths were really easy to traverse, the animals looked happy and well taken care of. Would definitely recommend.
Fantastic experience: Amazing experience. Little one had so much fun. Place is really organised well with tracks and directions. Only issue is cafe. Best to be prepared to have some food for kids as Cafe was closed before 3 PM where all the food was expected.
Fantastic experience: Best place for kids and adult . We spent about 4hours walked around, eating inside , shop at the gift shop. There are plenty of resting area and toilet.
Negative experience: Not worth 58 dollars, Not easy to find direction Cage is always empty, hard to find animal Parking is easy Beginning is boring Last places animals are rare Aquarium is small and boring
Fantastic experience: Great layout to access the animals from almost 360degrees, the playground at the end was so much fun and an attraction in its own. We were also surprised when we came across the interactive dinosaurs! This zoo has it all really. My kids are 2 and 3 and were able to walk the whole day no problem. Highly recommend. Also very clean and well maintained.
Positive experience: Good experience would recommend it Plenty of parking but you have to make sure you get there early can take few hours to get through the park
Fantastic experience: Very organised zoo and lots of animals to see. You can spend a whole day here.
Fantastic experience: Awesome Dey hours spent so close to the animals, the open sites where you can get so close to the marsupials are brilliant. A must for all
Fantastic experience: Visit with my son multiple times. He love visiting every single time. Adventure park is lovely, very clean and green environment. Recommended for kids and young families.
Fantastic experience: We have been members at the Zoo for 3 years now. We absolutely love it. It has an amazing playground in the middle that is the best playground in Canberra, hands down. It has some animals that I'd never seen in captivity before, leopards, hyenas etc, and has really great little activities off to the side of the pathways to keep the kids entertained on the long walk.
Fantastic experience: Had an amazing Wild Night Zoo venture in the electric vehicle. Our guide and driver was delightful, well informed and fun. All the other staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. I highly recommend a visit to this very impressive zoo.
Fantastic experience: Came here with my partner for my 30th and had the best time ever. We did the Awesome Roarsome and Savannah tours, where we got to free all different types of animals. We also got to have an in person experience with the barking owl and the three cheetah brothers, where we actually got to go into the enclosure and pat them!
Fantastic experience: So many animals, I love that they have the zoo and an aquarium, staff are very friendly and helpful, easy to navigate with the map, price is a little high, paid $108 for 2 people but other than that I really enjoyed it.
Fantastic experience: Most aesthetic zoo I've ever seen - trees, pathways, sculptures, etc. Lots of interesting areas for kids to play, and typically several viewing points for each enclosure so you can get a good look for every animal. The range of animals is also very impressive. Make sure you set aside at least 4hrs for your visit, or else you'll be run off your feet because it's so large.
Fantastic experience: I've been to many zoo's and have to say this one goes down as my all time favorite. I'm so proud that this is our National Zoo. Well set out, a wonderful relaxing stroll through the habitats and surrounding landscapes and the animals are healthy and relaxed. Such a lovely day. Would recommend .
Fantastic experience: Amazing. Brilliant zoo especially the jungle exhibits with tigers, leopards etc. very relaxing walk around the adventure trail. And the adventure playground is one of the best I've seen.
Fantastic experience: Canberra Zoo & Aquarium is a fantastic destination for a fun-filled day with family. The well-maintained enclosures allow for an up-close experience with a diverse range of animals, making it both exciting and educational. The friendly and knowledgeable staff enhance the visit, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere. The zoo's layout is easy to navigate, with plenty of shaded areas and seating to relax. Whether you're watching majestic big cats, hand-feeding giraffes, or exploring the aquarium, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Highly recommended for a memorable day out!
Fantastic experience: One of the best zoos we've been to. Well set out. Loads for the kids to do. The dinosaur area was a great surprise. Highly recommended when in Canberra
Fantastic experience: I recently did the Awesome Roarsome Tour and the African Savannah Safari. These were both such great experiences, I would highly recommend! With both tours we got to feed multiple animals and had a great tour guide who was very charismatic and knowledgeable, answering any questions we had. I loved getting to see the gorgeous animals up close and getting to feed them!
Fantastic experience: Something very special about this zoo. You feel so close to the animals in a beautiful setting. A delight to experience
Fantastic experience: Wife meets a cheetah, awesome experience. Well worth the $$$$. Loved the zoo, really great.
Fantastic experience: We are annual members at the basic level, and go there a few times a month to enjoy the animals and the lovely playground area. We had the absolute pleasure to buy one of the Wild Zooventure nights as a belated birthday present for our newly 4-yo kiddo, and it was amazing. Amy, our tour guide, was charming and chatted with both us and all of the animals (introducing us to them by name and giving us tips on future visits how to recognize them). We loved all of the behind the scenes looks at things like the animal quarantine zones, or the perimeter of the zoo on our cool "safari vehicle". Our daughter yelled that (on our first of several jaunts in the car), "This is my favorite trip EVER!" She also loved having Moo the Emu (which now I know I've been mispronouncing for my entire life, because it's "e-mew" not "e-moo") eat snacks out of her hands, and off of her head and her shoulder. Highlight of her trip. The charcuterie board, cheerful juice, wine and beer selection, and lovely picnic dinner with their rhinos (now I know their names are Ubuntu and Eco!) was so fun. Thanks again to all of the zoo staff that help make stuff like this happen.
Fantastic experience: The National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra is an amazing experience, especially for young children! My 4-year-old daughter absolutely loved it, and thereās so much to see and explore. The animals are well cared for, and the interactive exhibits make it both fun and educational. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, making the visit even more enjoyable. Itās a perfect family outing, and weāll definitely be returning!
Fantastic experience: Stayed at Jamala lodge. Excellent experience. The lion encounter with Ryan was amazing. Never thought I would get to pet a Lion.
Fantastic experience: The National Zoo and Aquarium is an amazing place to visit. There is a wide diversity of animals from many different countries and the enclosures are set up well so it is easy to view them and take photographs. The Zoo Keepers are friendly and very knowledgeable about the animals, we were lucky enough to be around at feeding times and they explained a lot to us about the food and nutritional needs of individual animals. All in all, an excellent Zoo that we will visit again and again.
Fantastic experience: Been to Sydney Zoo and Taronga Zoo and I reckon this Zoo beats both of them. Great paths and things for the kids to interact with. Staff were friendly and helpful, price was good, animals were all out and moving around. Very recommend place to visit
Positive experience: Canberra Zoo is an amazing spot for families, especially with the new park playground extension that opened in early 2025 ā the kids canāt get enough! WE HAD TO GET A SEASON PASS! Their favourite animals include the peacocks, koalas, giraffes, lizards, cheetahs, and zebras, though the tigers can be a bit hard to find. The aquarium is also a must-see, but itās a bit of a walk from the playground. The cafĆ© offers good options, though some items can be on the pricier side. Thankfully, you can bring your own food, and there are BBQ stations near the children's area at the back of the zoo entrance. A fun day out with lots to explore!
Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic day at the National Zoo! Pack your lunch and prepare for an entire day looking at some incredible animals. You'll be able to get really close!
Negative experience: I was disappointed with our visit, especially considering we paid almost $100 for me and my daughter .There were only a few animals to see, and most of them were sleeping or appeared exhausted. The fences were far away, making it difficult to get a good view of the animals. The aquarium was the biggest letdown, it was almost empty, and we were able to walk through it in less than 15 minutes. Overall, the experience did not feel worth the price.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your visit. We are deeply committed to providing a world-class experience while ensuring the highest standards of care for our animals. Our primary focus is on their well-being, and each animal has access to spaces where they can rest and move freely within their habitat. While this may mean some animals are resting during a visit, this is a testament to the natural and ethical environment we prioritise over forced displays of activity. We take great pride in our exhibits, including Australiaās largest in-land saltwater aquarium, home to over 75 different reptile and aquatic species across 34 habitats. The zoo features over 200 animals, housed in some of the largest enclosures of any zoo in Australia, allowing them to thrive in spaces designed for their welfare. Routine maintenance and keeper activities are essential parts of our operations to ensure both animal welfare and a great visitor experience. Because of these factors, some animals may not always be visible in the same spot at any given time. This provides the animals with ample space and access to cooler or warmer areas as needed. To assist visitors, we have signs at each entry advising that most exhibits have multiple viewing areas and that many species can be found in more than one exhibit. If an animal is not visible in one location, visitors are likely to spot them in another. For example, the video of the Leopard you have posted has been taken from one of 3 viewing areas into this habitat. It is important to highlight that our ticket prices encompass access to both the zoo and aquarium, as well as the Adventureland playground, ZooArt, Adventure, Kids and History Trails, ensuring a full-day experience for visitors of all ages. Our pricing is highly competitive compared to other zoos across the country, reflecting the exceptional value of an experience that goes beyond just animal viewingāoffering education, conservation initiatives, and interactive elements designed to engage and inspire. We encourage visitors to take the time to truly explore and appreciate everything we have to offer. We are proud of the work we do and the experience we provide, and we hope you will consider visiting again with a fresh perspective on the important role we play in conservation, education, and animal welfare. National Zoo and Aquarium Management.
Fantastic experience: Great experience. A whole day spent very well with the kids.Has nice cafe with reasonable price.
Fantastic experience: I'm blessed to live in South Africa, where we have an abundance of wildlife and opportunities to see them in their natural habitat, so I'm not a fan of zoos. But this zoo is not anything like the zoos I have visited in my life. It's enormous and beautifully laid out in a logical way, if you follow the well marked numerical order. There are lots and lots of trees providing shade and shelter for the animals, and unlike most zoos, there are several viewing spots spread out around the animal enclosures, which give you a great view. The enclosures for the larger animals are huge, giving them lots of freedom, even though they are caged. The zoo was a buzz of activity with the large staff going about their daily business of feeding, cleaning and maintaining the place. The zoo is in a great condition, clearly as a result of an excellent maintenance programme. And did I mention that the entire zoo and aquarium is wheelchair friendly, which was a huge bonus for me?
Fantastic experience: The Zoo is an amazing experience for young and old. Two or three different entrances ensure you always find parking close to an entry. We pretty much walk around the entire zoo in about 6 hours with lots of time to observe some of the residents. Lots of leopards, lions and other wild cats. A wonderful Sahara display with everything you would expect to find . An amazing experience like I said. But then you would expect to be bedazzled for around $130 for a family of 4 in entry fees alone.
Fantastic experience: Great experience loads of animals to enjoy.. Make sure to wear sunscreen in this weather..
Positive experience: Plenty of car parks, although you may have to walk a bit to the zoo entrance. Limited toilets. Water fountains to refill water bottles. Can be confusing following the map as I didn't think it was that clear. Having a map up somewhere in the middle would be helpful.
Positive experience: It's a great zoo but the maps and directions are very confusing & complicated.. they could do a better job with the map / directions..the current one is very confusing + there are multiple areas with the same set of animals like zebra / cheetah which makes it even more confusing.. also it's a bit pricey..
Fantastic experience: We did a Family Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) tour with Jess today and had the most incredible experience. Jess's knowledge, attention to detail and relationships with the animals made the experience so meaningful and one we will never forget! Thank you Jess and the whole team at National Zoo and Acquarium for giving us the most incredible memories!!
Fantastic experience: We adore this Zoo! We're members, so go often. We find it engaging, clean, informative and such fun to see our favourite animals in front of us. Thank you for making the Zoo such an awesome place to be!
Fantastic experience: Great day for family/couples! So many places to explore, and so many different animals. Also loved that there were quite a few open areas where you could actually touch the animals!
Fantastic experience: So much quieter than Sydney Zoo's! Beautiful place to visit.
Fantastic experience: Fantastic setup to walk around, I did the Savannah tour as well and got to feed the Giraffe, Barbary Sheep, Cheetah, Zebra and Eland and pat the Rhino, a great add on to the zoo admission with those animals all pretty active early in the day, admission is about $10 more than MEL or Taronga which surprised me but there are a great range of animals and easily a few hours can be spent here
Fantastic experience: We were there 1030am-5pm and saw all the animals! You can walk inside the enclosure with the kangaroos, wallabies and emu. The animals are very close so you have a good view. We went on a Saturday and it wasn't crowded at all. My kids and I loved it, and next time when kids are bigger, we'll stay at the bungalow to see the animals up close and personal. ā¤ļø
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