Adelaide Zoos & Aquariums

Adelaide zoos and wildlife parks run from a city zoo in the parklands north of the CBD to open bushland parks in the Adelaide Hills, so the choice mostly comes down to how far you want to travel and how close you want to get to the animals. Wildlife parks with tickets and guided tours are the focus here, and the marine animals are mostly met in the wild on dolphin trips. For everything else in the city, start with things to do in Adelaide, or see zoos and aquariums across Australia if you're heading interstate.

Zoos and wildlife parks in and around Adelaide

In the Adelaide Hills, tickets such as general admission to Gorge Wildlife Park cover a family-run park at Cudlee Creek that has been going since 1965. It spreads across 14 acres of leafy bushland, with exotic and native animals, a reptile presentation, koala holding, native animal feeding and walk-through paddocks with kangaroos. There are BBQ and picnic areas on site, so lunch can stay in the park.

For a guided version, a half-day trip such as the Cleland Wildlife Park Tour from Adelaide takes a small group to Cleland Wildlife Park, a 30-minute trip from the city. The trip includes park entry, a guided orientation, animal feed to hand out and return city transfers, with a koala encounter available as an upgrade.

Choosing between a city zoo and a day in the hills

A city zoo is the easy option when you only have a few spare hours and no car. A wildlife park in the hills needs a longer outing, but you get walk-through enclosures and hands-on moments, such as feeding native animals or holding a koala.

A guided tour takes the driving off your hands. It suits visitors who don't want to hire a car, and it adds a stop at Mount Lofty Summit on the way through Cleland Conservation Park. If you'd rather make your own timing, a general admission ticket lets you stay as long as you like and bring your own picnic.

Getting to Adelaide's wildlife parks

Gorge Wildlife Park is a 40-minute drive from Adelaide, so a car is the simplest way to reach it, and the ticket covers a full day at the park. The Cleland tour is the pick if you want to leave the driving to someone else: it departs from Franklin Street in the city or a pre-arranged hotel at 10am and gets back at about 3.30pm.

Gorge Wildlife Park tickets come in adult, child, concession, family and infant types, so pick the one that matches your group on the booking page.

Seeing marine animals near Adelaide

Adelaide's marine animals are best met in the water. The Port River is home to the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, and Glenelg is the starting point for dolphin cruises, including trips with a swim. The Adelaide cruises page covers dolphin watching from Glenelg and Port Adelaide, and the Adelaide water sports page has kayak tours of the same sanctuary.

Planning an animal day with children

Wildlife parks work well for families because there is room to move and plenty to do between animal sessions. Picnic areas make lunch simpler, and the feeding sessions give younger visitors something hands-on to do. For more family ideas, see things to do in Adelaide with kids.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Gorge Wildlife Park from Adelaide?

Gorge Wildlife Park is a 40-minute drive from Adelaide, at Cudlee Creek in the Adelaide Hills.

Can you hold a koala near Adelaide?

Gorge Wildlife Park lists koala holding among its highlights. The Cleland Wildlife Park half-day tour offers an up-close koala encounter as an upgrade.

Are there zoos in Adelaide?

Yes. Adelaide Zoo is in the parklands just north of the city centre, and Zoos SA also runs Monarto Safari Park near Murray Bridge. Gorge Wildlife Park and Cleland Wildlife Park are wildlife parks in the Adelaide Hills.

Can you visit Cleland Wildlife Park without a car?

Yes. The Cleland Wildlife Park half-day tour departs from Franklin Street in Adelaide or a pre-arranged city hotel, and includes return city transfers, park entry and animal feed.

Where can you see marine animals near Adelaide?

Dolphins can be seen on cruises from Glenelg and on Port River cruises from Port Adelaide, and kayak tours explore the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

Adelaide's animals are easiest to meet in the hills and on the water, so choose your day and book it from the links above.