Play, Climb, Roar — Adventure Awaits!

Group of children and adults riding a sitting on a crocodile statue at the National Zoo's Adventureland Playground.

In addition to the fascination created by our beautiful animals, we have some other ‘distractions’ for the children…

Adventureland Playground

A frog-shaped playground sculpture on a colorful rubber surface in a park. Children and adults are playing in the background, with some jumping and others walking. There is a jungle gym with a slide and various trees surrounding the area.

Adventureland is unlike any other playground in the region, designed for children to experience the wonders of the natural world. It features:

  • Over 35 fibreglass animal sculptures, most life-size and designed to be played on

  • Over 107 natural styled activities, structures and games

  • Located in a tropical garden setting, giving parents the opportunity to relax in a cool, shady environment

  • Next to the Rhino Bistro, so a coffee or lunch is close by while the children are learning more about the natural world that exists around them, as well as having great fun in AdventureLand!

Adventureland’s stage 3 extension will open in 2026, with more activities, education and covered areas.

We vote it the best playground ever!!

Located next to the Rhino Bistro and Viewing Park area.

Open 9:30am – 5:00pm daily, 8:45am for zoo members.

Please note that the playground is not available for school groups.

Zoorassic Park at fern gully

Two children and an adult woman smiling and talking while posing in front of a T-Rex dinosaur statue in an outdoor forest setting with tall trees and green foliage at the National Zoo and Aquariums Zoorassic Park extinction trail.

See some of the best dinosaurs that MOVE & ROAR. Our T-Rex is even 12 metres long and 6 metres high!

Fern Gully also features a section on Australian megafauna, which includes a Marsupial Lion (yes, they did exist), a giant wombat, and more.

Additionally, there are life-size models of more recent extinct species such as the Tasmanian Tiger and Dodo Bird, serving as a reminder of just how close any species extinction can be.

Look for special promotions with our life-like adult and baby dinosaurs wandering through Fern Gully!

Kids Discovery Trail

A young girl with a joyful expression standing amid painted log sculptures of zebras at the National Zoo, with a sign reading 'Join the Herd!' in front.

Fun and educational…

To ensure our animals have plenty of space, their habitats are larger than those found in most urban zoos, which means it can be a bit of a walk from one viewing area to the next.

For little ones who need some entertainment along the way, we’ve created a Kid’s Discovery Trail in the zoo’s larger open-range section. This trail offers plenty to see, do, and learn as they move between animal viewing areas.

Running alongside the main pathways, the trail features fun challenges, engaging activities, fascinating facts, and quizzes for parents to join in on.