National Zoo & Aquarium

“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.🇦🇺”

“We recently visited the Australian National Zoo and Aquarium and stayed at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, everything felt special and thoughtfully done. Being able to stay so close to the animals was incredible — waking up and seeing them up close, learning about them, and watching their behaviour was a true highlight of the trip. The food was amazing throughout our stay, beautifully presented and genuinely delicious, making every meal feel like part of the experience rather than just an add-on. The service was outstanding — the staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the animals and conservation, which made the whole visit even more meaningful. Exploring the zoo itself was fantastic, with well-maintained enclosures and plenty of opportunities to see and appreciate the animals in a respectful and engaging way. Overall, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. We couldn’t fault it — great food, great service, and a truly amazing and memorable stay. Highly recommend to anyone looking for something unique and special.”

“Visited the National Zoo and made a conscious effort not to spoil the exhibits — which led me to focus on the playground, and honestly, it’s a lifesaver. Beautifully themed and offering endless entertainment for toddlers, especially when the animals are busy hiding, sleeping, or ignoring visitors entirely. That said, the zoo itself is excellent. There’s a huge variety of animals, and the in-person experiences are surprisingly affordable compared to other capital city zoos. The layout is well thought out, with clear access, plenty of shade, and easy paths between exhibits — great for prams and tired little legs. Food options are decent, but be prepared to wait a bit — everything is cooked fresh. Plan accordingly, especially with hungry kids in tow. Extra bonus points for practicality: there’s a standard 7.7kW Tesla charger on site, and it’s under cover — perfect for topping up while the kids burn energy. Me included. This isn’t a rushed visit. Definitely plan to spend a full day here. Kids entertained, animals delivered, car charged, parents happy — that’s a win. 🦒⚡️”

“Wonderful day out with my 5 children! Well laid out Zoo, lovely animals, friendly staff, great cafeteria, great parking..Only negative is that we were hoping for more sharks/ large sharks and aquatic creatures in the aquarium section of the Zoo..the aquarium was a little dissapoiting. Other than that, we had a great day as a family and got some great photos and made some great memoris.”