Australia Zoo Tips for a first-time visitor to Australia Zoo?

[Mac]

Tips for a first-time visitor?
Hi there. I hope this is okay to post here. I gathered that this would be the best place to ask?
I have a long-anticipated a trip to the zoo from here in the UK, and so I'm of course going to try to get the most out of my week in the region. I will be staying in Brisbane for a total of 3 days (that are free to make arrangements for), one of which I've dedicated to Australia Zoo. We will also be traveling with a hotel-zoo transfer service, meaning we have less flexibility over timings. How can I get the most out of a day at the zoo, and is adding an extra day worth it, or should I focus on different things considering the unfortunately short time I'll be able to spend in the area? I don't mind getting a train if the extra day is necessary, but want to try to organise our vacation as best as possible so that we do not miss out on anything we don't have to.
I am also heavily interested in zoo/wildlife photography, so this could also be something that would impact my timing. If you have any advice/recommendations, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, from a long-time international supporter! I'll be visiting in late October/early November.

Thank you so much!

 

[Zoofan15]

Tips for a first-time visitor?
Hi there. I hope this is okay to post here. I gathered that this would be the best place to ask?
I have a long-anticipated a trip to the zoo from here in the UK, and so I'm of course going to try to get the most out of my week in the region. I will be staying in Brisbane for a total of 3 days (that are free to make arrangements for), one of which I've dedicated to Australia Zoo. We will also be traveling with a hotel-zoo transfer service, meaning we have less flexibility over timings. How can I get the most out of a day at the zoo, and is adding an extra day worth it, or should I focus on different things considering the unfortunately short time I'll be able to spend in the area? I don't mind getting a train if the extra day is necessary, but want to try to organise our vacation as best as possible so that we do not miss out on anything we don't have to.
I am also heavily interested in zoo/wildlife photography, so this could also be something that would impact my timing. If you have any advice/recommendations, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, from a long-time international supporter! I'll be visiting in late October/early November.

Thank you so much!

I’d recommend you spend one day at Australia Zoo (no more, no less).

Regular visitors often spend half a day at Australia Zoo and half a day at Wildlife HQ (which is 25 minutes away); but as a first time visitor, you’ll be wanting to fully explore the zoo - and take the time to get photos etc.

I wouldn’t recommend two days. The zoo is open for eight hours and I found five hours was more than enough when I visited for the first time. There’s better use of your time to be made if you’re limited to three days in Brisbane.

As with any zoo, check out the schedule to see what talks interest you. The main show is the Wildlife Warriors Show at 1.15pm: Plan Your Day Of Wildlife Adventures At Australia Zoo

I’ll also add that coming from the UK, the temperatures in Brisbane can get ridiculous as you head into summer. My advice for any activity is to get there early in the day. Unfortunately AZ doesn’t open until 9am, so just be sun smart and prepare for a hot day.

 

[steveroberts]

south-eastern Queensland does very well over the last two decades in terms of having three big choices for well 'stocked' private zoos; Aus' Zoo and Wildlife HQ on the Sunshine Coast and Darling Downs out west, thats without even referencing the various places on the Gold Coast (Dreamworld and Sea-World of course but also including the native fauna majors of Currumbin and Fleay's).

 

[Mac]

I’d recommend you spend one day at Australia Zoo (no more, no less).

Regular visitors often spend half a day at Australia Zoo and half a day at Wildlife HQ (which is 25 minutes away); but as a first time visitor, you’ll be wanting to fully explore the zoo - and take the time to get photos etc.

I wouldn’t recommend two days. The zoo is open for eight hours and I found five hours was more than enough when I visited for the first time. There’s better use of your time to be made if you’re limited to three days in Brisbane.

As with any zoo, check out the schedule to see what talks interest you. The main show is the Wildlife Warriors Show at 1.15pm: Plan Your Day Of Wildlife Adventures At Australia Zoo

I’ll also add that coming from the UK, the temperatures in Brisbane can get ridiculous as you head into summer. My advice for any activity is to get there early in the day. Unfortunately AZ doesn’t open until 9am, so just be sun smart and prepare for a hot day.

Thank you so much for the advice. I will take it all into account!

south-eastern Queensland does very well over the last two decades in terms of having three big choices for well 'stocked' private zoos; Aus' Zoo and Wildlife HQ on the Sunshine Coast and Darling Downs out west, thats without even referencing the various places on the Gold Coast (Dreamworld and Sea-World of course but also including the native fauna majors of Currumbin and Fleay's).

Thank you! I have been a long-time supporter of Australia Zoo, which is actually the main reason for my visit, which is why I've chosen to only visit there for now, and try to indulge in the natural aspects of the region as much as I can without being able to drive (for now). However I do hope to be able to make many more visits to the country & region in the future, and maybe, if the opportunity arises (finances, legalities etc) in the far future, make a permanent move, where I will be able to visit the other fantastic locations more frequently. Again, thanks so much!

 

[Always_Amity]

Tips for a first-time visitor?
Hi there. I hope this is okay to post here. I gathered that this would be the best place to ask?
I have a long-anticipated a trip to the zoo from here in the UK, and so I'm of course going to try to get the most out of my week in the region. I will be staying in Brisbane for a total of 3 days (that are free to make arrangements for), one of which I've dedicated to Australia Zoo. We will also be traveling with a hotel-zoo transfer service, meaning we have less flexibility over timings. How can I get the most out of a day at the zoo, and is adding an extra day worth it, or should I focus on different things considering the unfortunately short time I'll be able to spend in the area? I don't mind getting a train if the extra day is necessary, but want to try to organise our vacation as best as possible so that we do not miss out on anything we don't have to.
I am also heavily interested in zoo/wildlife photography, so this could also be something that would impact my timing. If you have any advice/recommendations, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, from a long-time international supporter! I'll be visiting in late October/early November.

Thank you so much!

In general, bring plenty of water and make sure you're got sunscreen/hats, since it gets pretty hot that time of year and a good portion of the zoo is unshaded. They have free water-refill stations around the zoo as well, so you don't need to worry about bringing multiple bottles.
I'd also recommend bringing your own food if possible, instead of buying at the zoo, since they've got insanely high prices.
The zoo does have lockers, so if you do bring your own food it's possible to put them in a locker and come back later rather than lug it around. I believe it's $15 a day for a large locker, and slightly cheaper for medium and small lockers respectively.

Something I've recommended to a few first time visitors (and also do myself whenever I'm at the zoo) is that when you arrive, go straight to the shuttle-bus station right by the main gates and head up to Africa (the furthest point of the zoo), and walk back through the zoo. Depending on what time you arrive/how long you take at exhibits, this lets you miss much of the crowds, as well as catch the Tiger presentation at 11, the Elephant presentation at 12, and be at the crocoseum in time for the main show at 1:15, which are (I feel) the most interesting shows of the day. And after that, you can make your way through the front portion of the zoo, which contains mostly native Australian species and, from what I've seen/heard from other international visitors, is the most interesting part, due to the rarity of the a lot of Aussie species in overseas zoos.