Cairns Tropical Zoo
Feed kangaroos and pelicans, cuddle koalas, spot sunning crocodiles, watch a free-flight bird show, and have your photograph taken with a snake.
Cairns Tropical Zoo in North Queensland is packed with wildlife from Australia and all over the world. Cuddle a koala, feed a kangaroo or get up-close to a wombat. You can have your picture taken with a snake draped over your shoulders, or watch a 660-pound (300-kilogram) crocodile snap up a piece of meat during feeding time.
The zoo has about 15 acres (six hectares) of enclosures in Clifton Beach, north of Cairns. There’s a strong emphasis on conservation here, so while you’re getting up-close with the animals, you can also learn why it’s important to conserve their habitat in the wild.
Start your visit with a special breakfast; dine on a deck while zoo keepers bring around animals for you to meet. Birds nest in the trees that surround the deck and keepers are there to answer questions about any of the zoo’s animals.
Plan your visit around shows and presentations, which run throughout the day. Choose from Pelican Feeding, a Snakes Alive reptile show or the Crocodile Action demonstration. Have your photo taken with a koala, snake or crocodile at scheduled session times twice a day. Pick up a timetable from the ticket desk on your way in.
Dingos, echidnas and cassowaries are among the native animals that call the zoo home. You can also see exotic creatures such as cotton-top tamarins, Nepalese red pandas and ring-tailed lemurs.
A café serves up snacks and light meals. Pick up souvenirs such as soft toys and coffee mugs from the gift shop.
A general admission ticket includes all shows and wildlife presentations, and lets you come back as many times as you like for the two days after your first visit. Breakfast Time at the Zoo costs extra.
Cairns Tropical Zoo is a 30-minute drive north of Cairns, and 45 minutes south of Port Douglas. There is free on-site parking. A regular bus service stops at the front door, and many tour companies offer shuttle services between Cairns and the surrounding beaches. The zoo is open every day except Christmas Day.