Shoalhaven Zoo Shoalhaven Zoo Review and Species List

[akasha]

12.01.2024. Shoalhaven Zoo is located in Nowra, NSW on the north bank of the Shoalhaven River. I had a chance to visit recently, which was my second visit, having been there once before in the late 90’s. I don’t recall much from that visit, just feeding kangaroos and doing the rainforest walk.

As an adult, the first thing I noticed was the horrible narrow driveway in and the very snug carpark. I understand space is limited, and this negative initial impression soon evaporated when I stepped out of the car and took in the picturesque rainforest setting.

Entering the gift shop, immediately there was a small enclosure for Veiled Chameleon. It’s a cleverly placed exhibit, instantly elevating excitement for your visit.

Veiled Chameleon

My ticket cost $35, which was probably a bit steep considering the small number of species on show, but then again it does cost a lot to run a zoo so I understand.

Entering the zoo, I pretty much followed the order of the map, beginning with the small reptile house.

There were outdoor exhibits for Spencer’s Monitor and Perentie. Inside was an empty exhibit, followed by one for a small Saltwater Crocodile. There was a mixed exhibit for Centralian Bluetongue, Shingleback, Central Bearded Dragon and Green Tree Frog. It was different to see the frogs displayed with the lizards in an arid style display, but makes sense considering the only place I’ve ever seen wild Green Tree Frogs is in outback NSW.

Spencer's Monitor enclosure

Spencer's Monitor

Perentie

Saltwater Croc exhibit

Frog and Lizard exhibit

Green Tree Frog

There was an exhibit for Inland Taipan, one for Rough-scaled Python and one for Lace Monitor which held a juvenile Bell’s phase. The last exhibit had a small indoor area for Carpet Python, which had a large outdoor area as well. Nowra’s climate allows reptiles to be kept like this and it is an interesting way to see them.

Inland Taipan

Rough-scaled Python

Lace Monitor

Carpet Python exhibit

Carpet Python

Carpet Python enclosure

To be continued...

 

[akasha]

Outside the reptile house was an aviary for Budgerigar. They were all blue morphs, and there was a sign advertising some for sale. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen zoo animals advertised for sale to the public with a sign on the exhibit.

Budgerigar aviary

Undoubtedly Shoalhaven Zoo’s best feature is it’s location. The sandstone cliffs and subtropical rainforest make a great setting, and Shoalhaven excels in incorporating natural features into exhibits. The use of bromeliads in landscaping and to decorate exhibits adds to the ‘jungle’ feel and probably makes the zoo feel bigger and more exciting than it is in terms of species. It’s a clever strategy.

There was a walk-through exhibit for Common Wallaroo and Emu. The sloped enclosure is accessed through a rock passageway, and the natural slope and rocks make the wallaroos right at home here. I followed the path to the top where two emus were in a pen and could be fed over the fence.

Common Wallaroo

Emu

Leaving the walk-through via the same gate there was a nice barbecue area, adjacent to an aviary. This aviary held a pair of Blue-and-yellow Macaw as well as a flock of Green-cheeked Conure.

Parrot aviary

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Green-cheeked Conure

Adjoining this was an exhibit for Koala, and then an aviary for Red-tailed Black-cockatoo, Bush Stone-curlew and Laughing Kookaburra. These three exhibits were built around a naturally occurring rock formation, and as a result were very aesthetically pleasing displays.

Koala

Native aviary

Bush Stone-curlew and Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Laughing Kookaburra

On the opposite side of the path at the base of the cliff, was a good-sized exhibit for Alligator Snapping Turtle. I would say turtles are a strength of Shoalhaven’s with four exotic species displayed in various, interesting ways.

Alligator Snapping Turtle enclosure

Snapping Turtle pond

Alligator Snapping Turtle

To be continued...

 

[akasha]

The next exhibit was for Common Wombat and is probably the one of the most interesting and engaging exhibits I have seen for them. The outdoor area incorporated a natural rock formation and rainforest trees. The indoor viewing area was a faux mine shaft. It had viewing into the wombat’s burrows, I saw three wombats sleeping in here.

Wombat enclosure

Entrance to wombat burrow viewing

Wombat viewing area

Wombat burrow

The second wombat outdoor area was also an exhibit for Swamp Wallaby. Indian Peafowl was signed for this enclosure as well, and I did happen to see one in there, though they were free-ranging.

Swamp Wallaby

Wombat and wallaby exhibit

Near here were two outdoor reptile exhibits, one for Lace Monitor and one for Leopard Tortoise. The Lace Monitors were a mix of normal phase and Bell’s phase.

Lace monitor exhibit

Leopard Tortoise exhibit

Opposite here was a second exhibit for Koala and an adjoining aviary which held a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and a Little Corella, ‘Harry’, who according to the warning sign, is prone to biting people.

Koala

Cockatoo aviary

Next was a small aviary for a breeding pair of Blue-and-yellow Macaw.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

There was a big mixed aviary for Eclectus Parrot and Australian Magpie. Rufous Bettong was also signed but I didn’t see any. They were the only species signed that I didn’t see. (The bettong’s arrival was officially announced three days later, so I will include it on the species list.)

Next was the central hub area with an exhibit for Aldabra Giant Tortoise.

Aldabra Giant Tortoise enclosure

To be continued...

 

[akasha]

At the base of the cliff was an exhibit for Maned Wolf. It could be viewed on three sides, and on the forest side I got close views of one of the wolves as it snoozed under a tree. The exhibit is lush and green, and while not reflective of their natural habitat, their bright orange coats do contrast nicely with it.

Maned Wolf exhibit

Maned Wolf

Maned Wolf

Next was the Farmyard section of the zoo. It comprised of a barn and surrounding pens. It had just about every type of domestic animal, and allowed for some hands-on experiences. Animal feed was available for purchase upon zoo entry, but I didn’t buy any.

There were free-ranging Helmeted Guineafowl, Domestic Chicken and Domestic Duck. There were pens for Domestic Goat, Domestic Pig, Domestic Sheep and Domestic Horse. There was also a pen with three Emu chicks. Though perhaps the most interesting exhibit in here was a pair of Dachshund. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen Domestic Dog displayed as a zoo animal before.

Helmeted Guineafowl

Goat pen

Goat

Pig pen

Sheep

Horse pen

Domestic Chicken (it's a Transylvanian Naked Neck and is supposed to look like that in case anyone was worried, lol)

Japanese Quail enclosure

Emu chicks

Domestic Dog pen

Inside the barn were Domestic Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Rat and Mouse.

Rat and mouse exhibits

This area was also used for hatching and raising poultry and other birds. I saw young peafowl, guineafowl, Japanese Quail and a Masked Lapwing. I liked this area because they had everything on display from the incubator to brooders and raising pens.

Brooder and incubator

Masked Lapwing chick and guineafowl keets

Peachicks

Outside the barn was a large tank filled with Goldfish.

To be continued...

 

[akasha]

Exiting the farmyard, there was a gate into the viewing area for the African Lion exhibits.

First was the four white siblings. I had always wondered why Shoalhaven and Altina never traded white lions for breeding, and finally learned the answer. The male Kibwana is cross-eyed and because of that genetic deformity, none of this litter was ever considered for breeding.

White Lion enclosure

White lions

In the adjacent exhibit were the two tawny males, Juda and Ariel. As they are genetically valuable, Shoalhaven intend to breed tawnys. They hope to import a female from Africa but if funds can’t be raised this year, they will bring in a female from an Australian zoo. If that’s the case, Juda will stay and Ariel will have to be transferred elsewhere. (Ariel is undesirable for breeding as he has only one testicle.)

Tawny Lion enclosure

Ariel

Juda

I learned this info at the lion talk, which I hung around for at 2:00pm. It happened to rain at that time, so only Ariel of the six lions was willing to brave the wet and come to the fence for a treat.

Ariel

Ariel

Leaving the lion complex, there was an exhibit for Black-capped Capuchin. It was a good-sized cage with plenty of enrichment. I counted thirteen individuals, including three young monkeys on their mother’s backs.

Black-capped Capuchin exhibit

Adjoining this was a second enclosure which looked suitable for primates, but held Chestnut Teal and Plumed Whistling-duck.

Duck aviary

There was a small aviary for Rainbow Lorikeet (including morphs), Red-collared Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory and Masked Lapwing.

Lorikeet aviary

Lorikeet aviary

Rainbow Lorikeet

Masked Lapwing

To be continued...

 

[akasha]

Beyond the capuchins I followed the main path along the picturesque river bank to where the zoo merges into Treetop Adventures. Through the main adventure hub was the end of the zoo. Tucked neatly against the base of the cliff was an exhibit for Southern Cassowary.

Shoalhaven River

Cassowary exhibit

Southern Cassowary

Next to here was the end of the zoo, a couple of pens for hoofed stock. I believe this is where the camel and buffalo were kept, but is now home to a single Domestic Horse.

Returning along the riverbank to the main part of the zoo, there was an enclosure for Meerkat. It’s the only meerkat enclosure I’ve seen that is a cage rather than a pit, understandable with the high density of raptors in the Shoalhaven area.

Meerkat enclosure

Next was an exhibit for Saltwater Crocodile, with above water and underwater viewing. The glass was very murky as keepers are unable to coax the male croc from the water at the moment to clean given the breeding cycle, but I’m sure under normal circumstances it gives great views.

Saltwater Crocodile exhibit

Saltwater Crocodile

The next exhibit back near the giant tortoise, was for Cottontop Tamarin.

The next pair of exhibits were for Common Marmoset. They were both mixed exhibits, the one on the right held marmosets and Common Iguana. The one on the left held marmosets and Shoalhaven’s fourth turtle species, Elongated Tortoise. I thought these exhibit mixes were quite interesting, and with the bromeliads adorning the cage it was a fun display.

Marmoset exhibits

Marmoset and Iguana exhibit

Common Iguana

Marmoset and Tortoise exhibit

Elongated Tortoise

The final exhibit back near the gift shop, was one with indoor and outdoor space for Reticulated Python. The glare on the glass made it quite difficult to see into the enclosure, but I managed to spot two albino pythons.

Reticulated Python exhibit

Reticulated Python

While Shoalhaven Zoo doesn’t have a big species list, it’s beautiful setting makes it worth a visit. Each enclosure was different, and the rustic designs and decorations on many of them worked well. They were also very clean and tidy.

I enjoyed my visit and three hours was enough time to see everything, and attend one keeper talk.

Being situated between the river and the cliffs, Shoalhaven Zoo doesn’t have room to expand, but they make the most of what they do have and I think it will be interesting to keep an eye on it and see what small changes and innovations happen in the future.

Species list to follow.

 

[akasha]

Shoalhaven Zoo Species List

This is a list of species I saw on my visit to Shoalhaven Zoo on 12.01.2024. (With the exception of Rufous Bettong which I didn’t personally see by know was there.)

Mammals (20)

Common Marmoset
Cottontop Tamarin
Black-capped Capuchin
African Lion
Maned Wolf
Meerkat
Koala
Rufous Bettong
Swamp Wallaby
Common Wallaroo
Common Wombat
Domestic Rabbit
Domestic Goat
Domestic Sheep
Domestic Horse
Domestic Pig
Domestic Guinea Pig
Domestic Rat
Domestic Mouse
Domestic Dog

Birds (23)

Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Green-cheeked Conure
Black-capped Lory
Japanese Quail
Indian Peafowl
Helmeted Guineafowl
Domestic Chicken
Domestic Mallard
Chestnut Teal
Plumed Whistling-duck
Southern Cassowary
Emu
Masked Lapwing
Bush Stone-curlew
Laughing Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-cockatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Little Corella
Rainbow Lorikeet
Red-collared Lorikeet
Budgerigar
Eclectus Parrot
Australian Magpie

Reptiles (17)

Alligator Snapping Turtle
Aldabra Giant Tortoise
Leopard Tortoise
Elongated Tortoise
Veiled Chameleon
Common Iguana
Lace Monitor
Spencer’s Monitor
Perentie
Centralian Bluetongue
Shingleback
Central Bearded Dragon
Inland Taipan
Carpet Python
Rough-scaled Python
Reticulated Python
Saltwater Crocodile

Amphibians (1)

Green Tree Frog

Fish (1)

Goldfish

Total Species: 62


Before I visited the zoo, I had a look at their website to see what to expect. This is a list of species on the website gallery that I didn’t see at the zoo. I believe some are still there behind the scenes, and may only come out for shows and talks.

Arabian Camel
Water Buffalo
Sugar Glider
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Red Kangaroo
Echidna
Ring-tailed Possum
African Grey Parrot
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
Tawny Frogmouth
American Alligator
Frillneck Lizard
Boa Constrictor
Burmese Python
Corn Snake

 

[Zoofan15]

Thank for this review and species list @akasha. I never realised their exotic mammal collection was so small - with the highlights of course being the African lion and Maned wolf.

I hope they’re successful in importing a lioness from South Africa; or at least sourcing one from within Australia so they can breed cubs. It’ll be nice to see Judah’s valuable genes enter the regional population.

 

[Zorro]

Beyond the capuchins I followed the main path along the picturesque river bank to where the zoo merges into Treetop Adventures. Through the main adventure hub was the end of the zoo. Tucked neatly against the base of the cliff was an exhibit for Southern Cassowary.

Shoalhaven River

Cassowary exhibit

Southern Cassowary

Next to here was the end of the zoo, a couple of pens for hoofed stock. I believe this is where the camel and buffalo were kept, but is now home to a single Domestic Horse.

Returning along the riverbank to the main part of the zoo, there was an enclosure for Meerkat. It’s the only meerkat enclosure I’ve seen that is a cage rather than a pit, understandable with the high density of raptors in the Shoalhaven area.

Meerkat enclosure

Next was an exhibit for Saltwater Crocodile, with above water and underwater viewing. The glass was very murky as keepers are unable to coax the male croc from the water at the moment to clean given the breeding cycle, but I’m sure under normal circumstances it gives great views.

Saltwater Crocodile exhibit

Saltwater Crocodile

The next exhibit back near the giant tortoise, was for Cottontop Tamarin.

The next pair of exhibits were for Common Marmoset. They were both mixed exhibits, the one on the right held marmosets and Common Iguana. The one on the left held marmosets and Shoalhaven’s fourth turtle species, Elongated Tortoise. I thought these exhibit mixes were quite interesting, and with the bromeliads adorning the cage it was a fun display.

Marmoset exhibits

Marmoset and Iguana exhibit

Common Iguana

Marmoset and Tortoise exhibit

Elongated Tortoise

The final exhibit back near the gift shop, was one with indoor and outdoor space for Reticulated Python. The glare on the glass made it quite difficult to see into the enclosure, but I managed to spot two albino pythons.

Reticulated Python exhibit

Reticulated Python

While Shoalhaven Zoo doesn’t have a big species list, it’s beautiful setting makes it worth a visit. Each enclosure was different, and the rustic designs and decorations on many of them worked well. They were also very clean and tidy.

I enjoyed my visit and three hours was enough time to see everything, and attend one keeper talk.

Being situated between the river and the cliffs, Shoalhaven Zoo doesn’t have room to expand, but they make the most of what they do have and I think it will be interesting to keep an eye on it and see what small changes and innovations happen in the future.

Species list to follow.

A wonderful review and excellent photos.

 

[Tiger91]

Beyond the capuchins I followed the main path along the picturesque river bank to where the zoo merges into Treetop Adventures. Through the main adventure hub was the end of the zoo. Tucked neatly against the base of the cliff was an exhibit for Southern Cassowary.

Shoalhaven River

Cassowary exhibit

Southern Cassowary

Next to here was the end of the zoo, a couple of pens for hoofed stock. I believe this is where the camel and buffalo were kept, but is now home to a single Domestic Horse.

Returning along the riverbank to the main part of the zoo, there was an enclosure for Meerkat. It’s the only meerkat enclosure I’ve seen that is a cage rather than a pit, understandable with the high density of raptors in the Shoalhaven area.

Meerkat enclosure

Next was an exhibit for Saltwater Crocodile, with above water and underwater viewing. The glass was very murky as keepers are unable to coax the male croc from the water at the moment to clean given the breeding cycle, but I’m sure under normal circumstances it gives great views.

Saltwater Crocodile exhibit

Saltwater Crocodile

The next exhibit back near the giant tortoise, was for Cottontop Tamarin.

The next pair of exhibits were for Common Marmoset. They were both mixed exhibits, the one on the right held marmosets and Common Iguana. The one on the left held marmosets and Shoalhaven’s fourth turtle species, Elongated Tortoise. I thought these exhibit mixes were quite interesting, and with the bromeliads adorning the cage it was a fun display.

Marmoset exhibits

Marmoset and Iguana exhibit

Common Iguana

Marmoset and Tortoise exhibit

Elongated Tortoise

The final exhibit back near the gift shop, was one with indoor and outdoor space for Reticulated Python. The glare on the glass made it quite difficult to see into the enclosure, but I managed to spot two albino pythons.

Reticulated Python exhibit

Reticulated Python

While Shoalhaven Zoo doesn’t have a big species list, it’s beautiful setting makes it worth a visit. Each enclosure was different, and the rustic designs and decorations on many of them worked well. They were also very clean and tidy.

I enjoyed my visit and three hours was enough time to see everything, and attend one keeper talk.

Being situated between the river and the cliffs, Shoalhaven Zoo doesn’t have room to expand, but they make the most of what they do have and I think it will be interesting to keep an eye on it and see what small changes and innovations happen in the future.

Species list to follow.

Excellent review and nice photos!. The exhibits look nice with the setting the zoo has.
They wouldn't be the first zoo to sell birds privately, back in the 80's feather dale used to catch there surplus out and sell them from the front car park/entry office area. These days they would still be selling birds that they can easily move on through the private breeders. It's probably a good source of supplementary income if they are good with breeding all there bird species.

 

[snowleopard]

Thanks for your informative and detailed review. The entrance admission is probably much higher than it should be, but it's great to support privately-owned zoos and so that makes the cost bearable. With only around 50 exotic species, this is a zoo that might not entice multiple repeat visits, but I still enjoyed reading about the facility.

 

[Zorro]

I must say I was more than a little surprised to see that they have and display a pair of Sausage dogs?, Its a bit different, I have heard over the years that some Chinese/Asian zoos do display domestic dogs but unexpected in Australia!

 

[akasha]

I must say I was more than a little surprised to see that they have and display a pair of Sausage dogs?, Its a bit different, I have heard over the years that some Chinese/Asian zoos do display domestic dogs but unexpected in Australia!

Yeah, I thought it was hilarious. They had pups in the barn, probably cashing in on the baffling popularity of this breed.

 

[Tiger91]

I must say I was more than a little surprised to see that they have and display a pair of Sausage dogs?, Its a bit different, I have heard over the years that some Chinese/Asian zoos do display domestic dogs but unexpected in Australia!

It works for a petting zoo tho, small, friendly and easy to have around children and good natured for them to play with.


ETA in the grand scheme of things. $35 isn't to bad for a small zoo. These days by the time you go to a pub and have lunch out your spending almost that. So its not bad to wander around a small zoo for an hour or two.

 

[akasha]

It works for a petting zoo tho, small, friendly and easy to have around children and good natured for them to play with.


ETA in the grand scheme of things. $35 isn't to bad for a small zoo. These days by the time you go to a pub and have lunch out your spending almost that. So its not bad to wander around a small zoo for an hour or two.

The funny thing was that the dogs behaved like zoo animals. They’d seen it all before and couldn’t be fussed to walk over to the fence for a pat, they were just doing their own thing

 

[19985]

Carpet Python enclosure


Is that section of the enclosure open, or am I misinterpreting the image? If so, quite interesting

 

[akasha]

Carpet Python enclosure


Is that section of the enclosure open, or am I misinterpreting the image? If so, quite interesting

It’s perspex. Those snakes would be gone in five seconds flat if it was open.

 

[19985]

It’s perspex. Those snakes would be gone in five seconds flat if it was open.

Thought so!! Clearest perspex i’ve ever seen, couldn’t even see it