Zoos in Australia

Australia's Zoos are of a very high quality - a result of the country's isolation as a sole continent in the Asia-Pacific region has lead to an extremely diverse array of unique animal and plant life that can not be found anywhere else in the world. Although the number of species is too numerous to list, some of the most famous that have become Australia icons include Kangaroos, Koalas, Emus, Wombats, Dingoes, Echidnas, Platypus and many, many more. As a result, Australia has some of the most spectacular Zoos available for anyone visiting the country which provide a great way to experience these wonderful creatures up close.

Every state in Australia has at least one zoo or wildlife park, and each venue presents or specialises in each one in a specific and special way. Some of the most popular zoos and wildlife parks that are major draw cards that attract millions of tourists from around the globe every year are listed below.

Australia Zoo - Sunshine Coast

Made world-famous by the exploits of the late, great Steve Irwin, a.k.a the "Crocodile Hunter", Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is often referred to as the best zoo in the country. The Irwin family continues Steve's legacy and passion for nature and gives visitors the chance to witness stacks of wildlife action every day and be brought the most action-packed live shows and exciting encounters with the amazing animals located within. Approximately a 60 minute drive from Brisbane, the park will allow you to experience over one thousand native and exotic animals, an action-packed 24-hour wildlife hospital, and one amazingly adventurous Irwin family! You can book discount tickets for entry to Australia Zoo at special prices by clicking here.

Bonorong Wildlife Park - Hobart

Although not technically a "zoo", Bonorong Wildlife Park in Hobart is still a great place to visit if an up-close and personal experience with friendly animals is what you are looking for. The sanctuary specialises in the care and rehabilitation of orphaned and injured wildlife as all animals are at the park for a reason - funding for the park comes from the guests who visit.

The animals' home is the perfect climate and environment for their needs, with one of the largest mobs of friendly, free-ranging kangaroos and wallabies in Australia; you can meet them all by hand-feeding them with the complimentary bag of animal food you are given on arrival. You can book discount tickets for entry to Bonorong Wildlife Park at special prices by clicking here.

Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve - Cairns

Cairns' most-loved wildlife safari park is set amongst 200 acres of dry Savannah where the rainforest meets the Outback of Australia. Featuring a unique "Breakfast with the Beasts" experience which offers you the opportunity to have breakfast with the largest pride of lions in Australasia, the park allows visitors to meet cubs and fully grown wildlife alike. Cairns Wildlife Safari is a haven for all creatures great and small. You can book discount tickets for entry to Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve at special prices by clicking here.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - Gold Coast

Formerly known as Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast provides a rare opportunity to get closer to Australia's amazing natural wildlife within a tourist region perhaps more famous for its beaches and nightlife. See hundreds of native Australian animals in natural bushland and rainforest settings throughout the park, with a visit to the sanctuary ensuring you will enjoy exciting, interactive displays, presentations and dining experiences, all set in a lush eucalyptus and rainforest environment.

You will encounter furry, scaly and feathered creatures as every day at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a new adventure. You can book discount tickets for entry to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at special prices by clicking here.

Melbourne Zoo - Melbourne

Melbourne zoo allows you to get closer than ever before to their animal family with their special "Wild Encounters" program. With more than 320 species available for viewing, the zoo offers a window into the amazing diversity of Australia - and the world's - wildlife.

Visiting the Zoo is an opportunity to get back in touch with the wonders of nature and is located only 4km from the Melbourne city centre. Every animal located at Melbourne Zoo is an ambassador for its wild cousins, and there are many educational, research and conservation projects underway. The botanic garden setting provides a relaxing atmosphere with a variety of landscapes, from the Victorian-era formality of the main drive to the lush jungles of the African and Asian rainforest areas. You can book discount tickets for entry to Melbourne Zoo at special prices by clicking here.

Perth Zoo - Perth

As a modern zoo, Perth Zoo aims to provide visitors with the opportunity to encounter the natural world and to become involved in conservation action. Boasting one of the largest ranges of creatures of any zoo in Australia, animals from a huge range of regions spanning the globe, including Australia, Asia, Africa and South American are all on display with a list too numerous to mention. Animals within the zoo are laid out by region so a stroll around Perth zoo will become the animal equivalent of a stroll around the world of the entire animal kingdom!

Enclosures for the animals are kept as natural and close to their native habitats as possible so as to bring out the creature's natural behaviours and put them on display for all visitors to see firsthand. You can book discount tickets for entry to Perth Zoo at special prices by clicking here.

Sydney Wildlife World - Sydney

Meet Australia's animals at the Sydney Wildlife and learn from the expert animal keepers while visiting with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, snakes and other varied wildlife. Located right in the heart of Sydney's Darling Harbour, you will marvel at one of Australia's most iconic animals int he Koala Sanctuary - have your photo taken with a cuddly Koala at the Koala Rooftop, discover Red Kangaroos in the Red Centre habitat, as well as Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies, Hairy Nose Wombats, colourful Cassowaries, and more.

Learn about the slithery and scaly in the invertebrate displays and immerse yourself in the colourful and beautiful world of butterflies. You can book discount tickets for entry to Sydney Wildlife at special prices by clicking here. NOTE: Sydney Wildlifeis closed for refurbishment until 3rd September 2011 (inclusive) due to the construction of an exciting new attraction.

Taronga Zoo - Sydney

One of the best-known zoos in Australia, Sydney's Taronga Zoo is one of the country's leading zoological gardens, featuring one of the finest collection of both native animals and exotic species. Situated in a special location along the waterfront of one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo overlooks Sydney Cove, the Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House.

With a wide range of attractions ranging from land animals to sea turtles, the park is divided into segments with each featuring a particular group of animals - marine animals, jungle creatures, reptiles, native animals and more. Due to the Zoo's size, you will be able to enjoy a full day out exploring the exhibits and enjoying the many hands-on opportunities with animals which are always a hit with the kids. You can book discount tickets for entry to Taronga Zoo at special prices by clicking here.

Werribee Open Range Zoo - Melbourne (outskirts)

This open-range zoo's savannah theme removes the need to travel thousands of kilometres to Africa for adventure and instead make a short journey 30 minutes from Melbourne's city centre. You'll find and amazing array of animals living in this 225 hectare facility and come face-to-face with a pride of lions, see playful monkeys and cheetahs having fun and discover a family of hippos at the new Kubu River Hippos experience.

The zoo is also rounded out with a wonderful safari across the grassy plains where you will find rhinos, giraffes, zebras and antelopes grazing together on the savannah. You can book discount tickets for entry to Werribee Open Range Zoo at special prices by clicking here.

The Wildlife Habitat - Port Douglas

Famous for its' "Breakfast with the Birds" and "Lunch with the Lorikeets", the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas is one of Australia's leading wildlife experiences as guests are surrounded by the wetlands environment while enjoying the bevy of sounds and colours of the nearby wildlife as they stroll uninhibited amongst the visitors. The lunch is not only with Lorikeets however, as guests can also expect to meet cockatoos, curlews, parrots and herons along with a huge range of other bird life.

With an open-air exhibit portraying both inland and coastal plains, you can interact with and hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, with boardwalks overlooking lagoons where both salt and freshwater crocodiles lurk beneath the water or bask on the sunlit banks. You can book discount tickets for entry to The Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas at special prices by clicking here.