Get up close and personal with some of the world's most amazing creatures at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra.
From lions, tigers and bears to giraffes, penguins and monkeys, the Zoo features a variety of native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia!
Pat a cheetah, feed a bear or become acquainted with a meerkat during some of the most amazing hands-on animal experiences in Australia.
The vision of the National Zoo and Aquarium is to inspire and assist in the conservation of the natural world through exciting and innovative educational experiences.
Their mission is to set the world’s best practices for animal care and sustainability while impassioning their guests to protect the natural world.
Hours
See listed hours
Daily: 09:30–17:00
Facilities and visitor features
30 features
Accessible Tourism Limited Mobility
Accessible Tourism Wheelchairs and Scooters
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
Australian Tourism Export Council
Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
Barbeque
Cafe
Carpark
Coach Parking
Electric Vehicle Charging Point
Family Friendly
Food and Refreshments
Gallery / Museum
Lawn / Gardens
Parents Room
Picnic Area
Public Toilet
Shop / Gift Shop
Free Wifi
International
Birdwatching
Adventure
Family
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)
Caters for people with high support needs who travel with a support person.
Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.
We spent about 3.5 hours at Canberra Zoo and had a fantastic day. There is a huge variety of animals to see, plenty of walking paths, and the grounds are beautifully maintained. The enclosures are absolutely pristine and all of the animals appeared healthy, active and very well cared for.
What impressed us most was how spacious and natural the habitats felt. Highlights included the meerkats, penguins, giraffes, cheetah and the free-roaming peacock. We also loved seeing how close you can get to some of the animals while still respecting their space.
At $60 per adult and $36 per child, we felt it offered good value for money. We easily spent 3.5 hours there as a couple, and if you take your time, revisit exhibits or have children with you, you could comfortably spend 4–6 hours exploring. A fantastic zoo experience and definitely worth a visit if you’re in Canberra. 🦒🐧🐆🦘
Chrissie Carey
Google review
Went during school holidays, attended at 9:45am pre purchased tickets - was an easy entry.
Had kids ranging from 3 to 19 the zoo was enjoyed by all. It is a lovely looked after zoo and animals all looked to be in great condition.
Some construction for new areas happening but it didn't hinder our visit.
Spent 3 hours walking around.
Great to be able to take your own food as well. And fantastic play area for kids.
Jastin Wood
Google review
The National Zoo & Aquarium is a fantastic attraction and a great day out for visitors of all ages. The animal enclosures are well maintained, and there’s an impressive variety of animals to see, from big cats and primates to reptiles and aquatic species. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about animal care and conservation. The interactive experiences and close-up encounters make the visit especially memorable. A fun, educational, and well-organized destination that’s definitely worth visiting when in Canberra. Highly recommended!
Melani Peyiotou
Google review
Took our son’s international buddy to the National Zoo & Aquarium today, and it completely delivered! He specifically requested to see Australian native animals, and the zoo certainly didn't disappoint—he was thrilled to see koalas, wallabies, dingoes, and kangaroos up close, alongside lions, tigers, and giraffes. Surprisingly, the absolute highlight for him turned out to be the alligator! A brilliant day out for everyone.
Muhammad Jurial
Google review
National Zoo & Aquarium is a fantastic day out that offers something a bit different from your standard city zoo. Having the aquarium and the zoo together means you get a huge amount of variety without having to travel between two different venues.
• Incredible Animal Variety: The walk-through lemur enclosure and the tiger exhibits are highlights. It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into making the habitats as natural as possible for the animals.
• The Aquarium Section: The shark tank and the various reef displays are a great change of pace. It is surprisingly large and has a great collection of both local and exotic marine life.
• Adventureland: This is one of the best zoo playgrounds we have seen. It is huge and gave the kids a chance to burn off some energy while we took a breather.
• Educational Talks: We caught a couple of the keeper talks, which were genuinely interesting and not just for kids. The staff are clearly very passionate about conservation.
The grounds are beautiful, though it is quite a workout if you decide to walk the whole thing! If you have the budget, looking into their animal encounters is worth it, as they are known for getting you much closer to the animals than most other zoos in Australia.🇦🇺