About Cairns Tropical Zoo

The award winning Cairns Tropical Zoo is part of the Wildlife Tropical North Queensland group. We’re the wildlife tourism professionals - wildlife is all we do.

Located on 6 hectares of tropical landscaped gardens, Cairns Tropical Zoo has the largest, most comprehensive wildlife collection in Tropical North Queensland:

• Reptiles: One of Australia's most comprehensive Snake displays, Monitors, Dragons, Lizards, Crocodiles - Saltwater and Freshwater varieties, Alligators
• Birds: Cockatoos, Raptors, Parrots, Emus, Cassowaries, Brolgas, Pelicans, water birds, finches and more
• Mammals: Koalas, Wombats (Common, Southern Hairy Nose), Macropods - Eastern Grey, Agile, Pademelons, Cotton Top Tamarins, Red Pandas, Lemurs, Dingoes, possums and more

Our attractions offer a variety of ways to experience wildlife in the tropics with a wide range of wildlife displays and wildlife presentations by our dedicated team of professional wildlife keepers

Since 1980, the local Freeman family has pioneered wildlife experiences in the Cairns area, striking a balance between entertainment, education and wildlife conservation oriented presentations that are both educational and enjoyable. Cairns Tropical Zoo is accredited by the regional Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Other Wildlife Tropical North Queensland attractions include the award winning Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, located 25km south of Port Douglas, and the award winning Kuranda Koala Gardens, located in the Heritage Markets at Kuranda. In fact all our attractions are award winners.

The idea of Cairns Tropical Zoo has also extended into an evening event - Cairns Night Zoo - which operates here from 7:00pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday nights (bookings are essential).

Fast Facts

• Opening Times: 8:30am to 4.00pm daily (closed Christmas Day)
• Location: On the Captain Cook Hwy at Palm Cove just 20 minutes north of Cairns city
• Admission*: $33.00 Adult and $16.50 Child (4-15 years)
• Program: Our presentation program features a variety of activity throughout the day including Kangaroo Feeding, Pelican Feeding, Free Flight Bird Show, Koalas and Wombats, Snakes, Crocodiles and Endangered Exotic Species talk.
• Kangaroo Food: $1 per bag (special grain to hand feed tame kangaroos)

*Rates valid to 31 March 2012

Wildlife Conservation

Our goal is to contribute to the conservation of, and education about, both the Australian and exotic species that call these attractions home. The delivery of information through educational and entertaining presentations and the opportunity to interact with wildlife ensures a visit to one or more of our experiences will be memorable for all the right reasons.

In 2004, the Freeman family established the North Queensland Wildlife Trust dedicated to raising funds for the conservation of native wildlife and restoration of local habitats.

Statement of purpose for Cairns Tropical Zoo

Cairns Tropical Zoo provides:

• excellent animal care;
• high quality, enjoyable visitor experiences;
• a contribution to conservation of species and habitats via the North Queensland Wildlife Trust; and
• a safe, pleasant, challenging and rewarding environment for employees.

CTZ animal focus:

• Provide excellent and comprehensive care for individual collection specimens whilst participating in collective species management via the ASMP and the QSMP.
• Create wildlife displays that comply with, or exceed, relevant industry standards & guidelines for animals, staff and guests.
• Conduct animal contact and interaction opportunities in a respectful way and whenever possible conduct these activities as animal enrichment.

CTZ conservation focus:

• Operate and promote the North Queensland Wildlife Trust (NQWT) to assist in the conservation of local species and environments.
• Use staff and animal contact opportunities to encourage guests to give thought to conservation (in its various forms) of animals and environments. Use these opportunities to encourage guests to make positive changes to their own impacts on the environment.

CTZ staff focus:

• Staff are encouraged to maintain high ethical standards and to be accountable & responsible for their decisions and actions.
• The employer will provide opportunities for employees to utilise their full range of skills and abilities.
• Staff development is encouraged through training, constructive feedback, support for further education and provision of opportunities to attend seminars and conferences.
• The employer seeks to undertake consultation with staff on matters affecting the workplace, OH&S and the discharge of staff duties.
• The employer seeks to provide a stable employment for each employee.

CTZ visitor focus:

• Provide an enjoyable, educational & memorable wildlife experience for guests of all nationalities and ages.
• Provide appropriate animal interaction opportunities for guests in order to promote greater understanding & appreciation of animals and the environments in which they live.
• Provide opportunities for guests to interact with staff to promote greater understanding & appreciation of animals and the environments in which they live.
• Provide educational, intelligent, accurate & entertaining information-based presentations for guests.

About the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA)

Cairns Tropical Zoo is an accredited ZAA member Zoo.

ZAA zoos and aquariums strive for excellence in all areas of zoo operation, including animal and species management, conservation, education, research, veterinary care and visitor experience.

Each institution registers a firm commitment to this on joining the Association, by agreeing to implement the ZAA Code of Practice and Code of Ethics. Full accreditation status is granted by the ZAA Board after all accreditation procedures have been successfully completed.