Woo at the Zoo: A WILD Valentine's Day
Celebrate a wild Valentine’s Day at the National Zoo & Aquarium!
Enjoy a champagne evening with your lover while you learn more than you ever wanted to know about animal courtship and breeding behaviour! Be sure to bring your sense of humour and adventure!
Extreme Weather: 28 January 2026
Important Notice: Bistro kitchen and animal access on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
Due to forecasted extreme temperatures on Wednesday 28 January 2026, the National Zoo and Aquarium will change some operations for the day to ensure the safety and comfort of our animals, visitors, and staff.
The Rhino Bistro kitchen will be closed, with no hot food being available. However, there will still be sandwiches, wraps, pies, sausage rolls, coffee, and cake available. Cold drinks, ice blocks, and other light refreshments will also be available for purchase at our outlets.
Visitor facilities: Our reception and bistro areas will remain open, staffed by our dedicated team.
Please note that our animals are of the highest priority, so in mind of their comfort and safety during this heatwave, animals will be given access to cooler off-display areas. This means some of our animals may not be visible during this period.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. If you plan to visit, please stay hydrated and take necessary precautions against the heat.
For any further information, please contact our visitor services staff on 02 6287 8400 or at [email protected].
Thank you,
National Zoo and Aquarium Management.
Road works affecting Zoo entrance
Due to roadworks on 8 January, Zoo access will be via the Cotter Road exit onto Lady Denman Drive.
Zoocation is OPEN!
During a fun-filled day, children will get up close and personal with many of the zoo’s animals, play games, make toys for the animals, and learn something along the way. Staffed and developed by the experienced Education Guides of the National Zoo and Aquarium, this program prides itself on delivering a program like no other.
Colouring Competitions and Treasure Hunts – Your Chance to Win!
From 29 December to 1 February, join the fun with our rotating Colouring Competitions and Treasure Hunts. Crack the clues, follow the trail, or grab your pencils and let your creativity run wild.
Each Saturday, we’ll be drawing two lucky winners, one Zoo member and one from the general public. Both winners will enjoy a family animal encounter, with the general public winner also receiving free general admission.
To enter, collect your materials on arrival from Zoo Reception, the Keyhole, or Bistro entrances. Complete the treasure hunt or create your masterpiece, fill in your contact details, and drop off your entry as you exit.
Contest Schedule:
Monday (29/12) to Friday (02/01): Colouring Contest
Saturday (03/01): Winners Draw, Shared on Sunday
Monday (05/01) to Friday (09/01): Treasure Hunt
Saturday (10/01): Winners Draw, Shared on Sunday
Monday (12/01) to Friday (16/01): Colouring Contest, Shared on Sunday
Saturday (17/01): Winners Draw, Shared on Sunday
Monday (19/01) to Friday (23/01): Treasure Hunt
Saturday (24/01): Winners Draw, Shared on Sunday
Monday (26/01) to Friday (30/01): Colouring Contest
Saturday (31/01): Winners Draw, Shared on Sunday
*Family Animal Encounter is up to 2 adults and 3 children. T&Cs Apply. Winners will be announced via social media each Sunday of the competition period. Age restrictions apply to animal encounters, if age is unsuitable an alternate prize will be awarded of equal value. Excludes Cheetah Encounters.
Boxing Day Weekend Celebrations
Visitors to the National Zoo and Aquarium can start the school holidays with a celebration of festive family fun. Across the weekend, the zoo offers live music, lawn games, and special eats that the whole family will enjoy.
Summer Holidays are HERE! Events every day until February
☀️ This Summer, the National Zoo & Aquarium is the place for a truly WILD adventure! 🦁
Get ready for six exciting weeks of summer fun as the Viewing Park transforms into a lively festive destination filled with summer energy! Every visit brings something new with a rotating program of activities designed to entertain visitors of all ages and make the most of the silly season.
Enjoy daily lawn games, refreshing summer treats and mouth-watering wagyu food specials while soaking up the holiday atmosphere. Take a break in the sunshine, enjoy a picnic in the park or cool down with slushies or ice cream as live music fills the air.
Animal lovers can enjoy themed keeper talks throughout the summer, with special enrichment and celebration weeks highlighting some of the zoo’s most loved residents including birds, porcupines, zebras and iconic Australian animals. These talks offer fun, engaging insights into the lives of our animals while keeping the experience interactive for the whole family.
Kids and curious minds will love the hands-on activities running across the season, from colouring competitions and treasure hunts to hayrides, jumping castles and the digital Extinction Trail. There are also special event days featuring roaming dinosaurs, silent discos, movies in the park, mascot meet-and-greets and extended hours, offering a whole new way to experience the zoo.
Whether you are planning a full day out or a spontaneous summer visit, each week brings new reasons to return. With wildlife experiences, entertainment and seasonal fun combined, this summer at the National Zoo & Aquarium promises unforgettable family memories.
Excluding food and beverage specials, many activities are included with general admission and free for zoo members.
Gifting at the National Zoo & Aquarium
Are you still on the hunt for an un-fur-gettable gift? We’ve got you covered!
We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new National Zoo & Aquarium Gift Cards, along with our refreshed Animal Adoption program 💳❤️
National Zoo & Aquarium Gift Cards
Our beautifully designed gift cards make the perfect stocking stuffer for the animal lover in your life 🎁🎄🧦
Choose from a general gift card, redeemable anywhere across the zoo, or a specific animal encounter card for a truly memorable experience. Every purchase delights your loved ones while helping support animal care and conservation.
Head to the button below to purchase a digital gift card or stop by reception or bistro to purchase our brand new physical cards!
Not able to come in but still want a physical card? Give us a call at 02 6287 8400 or email [email protected] to discuss purchasing options.
Animal Adoptions
Discover our exciting, revamped Animal Adoptions program, now with more options than ever before. Give the gift of conservation and make someone’s holiday truly unforgettable.
While our animals already receive the highest standard of care, your adoption helps us go above and beyond, supporting vital animal care and conservation efforts.
Connect Package - $25 Members / $35 Public
Digital adoption certificate
Species information sheet
Special digital photo of your animal
Enrich Package - $75 Members / $110 Public
Physical adoption certificate
Species information sheet
Special photo of your animal
Monthly updates
Protect Package - $250 Members / $300 Public
Physical adoption certificate
Species information sheet
Special photo of your animal
Monthly updates
Plush buddy or gift shop voucher
Exclusive meet your animal session
Cheetah Days at the national zoo to celebrate international cheetah day!
Celebrate International Cheetah Day this weekend at the National Zoo!
Here at the National Zoo & Aquarium we are proud to support vital conservation programs working to protect cheetahs in their natural habitats. Every visit, encounter and membership helps us contribute to conservation efforts that are making a real difference on the ground for this fabulous feline.
To honour our seven cheetahs at the zoo, and their wild counterparts, we will be holding two special Cheetah Days at the zoo this weekend! On both Saturday and Sunday we will have a special Cheetah Keeper talk followed by an exciting Christmas themed enrichment. We will also be selling our limited edition Cheetah Collectable medallion, for just $10 you can extend your collection and bring home a memento of this special species!
You can find the cheetah day details below:
👉 1:45 PM both days
👉 SATURDAY, Cheetah Girls (U6 on the map)
👉 SUNDAY, Solo (V8 on the map)
During the keeper talks, we will have the opportunity for donations to the Cheetah Conservation Fund so that we can all work together to help secure a bright future for this remarkable species. ✨
National Zoo & Aquarium and Jamala Lodge are WINNERS!
ACT Tourism Awards
We are beyond excited to share that the National Zoo & Aquarium and Jamala Wildlife Lodge have taken out multiple wins at the 2025 ACT Tourism Awards ✨🐾
This year we were honoured to receive:
🥇 WINNER: Excellence in Accessible Tourism
🥇 WINNER: Tourism Visitor Education
🥇 WINNER: Unique Accommodation for Jamala Wildlife Lodge
⭐COMMENDATION: Major Tourist Attraction
These achievements are a true testament to our incredible team whose passion and dedication create unforgettable experiences for every visitor, guest and animal in our care. We are immensely proud of the hard work that went into making this year such a success and we are already excited for what 2026 will bring.
A huge shout-out to our team members Chara, Renee, Jess, Michael, Will and Sophie for their countless hours, late nights and unwavering commitment this awards season. We could not have done this without you ❤️🐾
Bluebell Sustainable Business Awards
We are proud to announce that we have been awarded the Corporate Climate Leader at the Bluebell Sustainable Business Awards, the ACT’s highest honour for sustainability in our sector.
This prestigious accolade celebrates the zoo’s commitment to environmental excellence and climate action. Our dedication extends beyond infrastructure. We aim to inspire every visitor to take action through our visible sustainability efforts, community engagement and educational programs that champion climate leadership.
♻️ Recycling Champion: Sue Fallon and the Container Deposit Scheme
A special congratulations goes to volunteer Sue Fallon, who was Highly Commended for her outstanding individual contribution to sustainability. Over the past seven years, Sue has led our Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) initiative, rallying the zoo’s Green Team to collect and return more than 920,000 bottles, cans, and containers.
This remarkable effort has raised over $92,000 for wildlife care and conservation, turning everyday recycling into a powerful force for change. With your continued support, Sue and the NZACT team are calling on the community to help us reach our goal of one million containers by Christmas, an incredible milestone in our journey toward a greener future!
💚 How You Can Help Reach One Million Containers💚
♻️ Bring your eligible containers during your next zoo visit or drop them at our CDS collection bins at Main Reception in Car Park 1 or Car Park 4. Look out for the purple bins!
♻️ Recycle for conservation - encourage friends and family to donate at Return It drop points and nominate funds to go to the National Zoo & Aquarium Conzoovation Team (NZACT).
♻️ Sort your waste - use the correct bins for recycling, compost, and general waste while exploring the zoo.
Thank you for being a part of our sustainability story!
Members of multiple Zoo and Jamala departments came together at the ACT Tourism Awards to celebrate this year’s success!
Volunteer, Sue Fallon, accepting her commendation at the Bluebell Sustainable Business Awards
National Zoo presents: Wicked For Good! Raising funds for the Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Join the National Zoo and Aquarium, in partnership with Dendy Cinemas, for a special screening of the highly anticipated ‘Wicked For Good’!
All funds from this magical evening will go directly towards raising critical funds for The Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust. This important organisation is dedicated to wildlife conservation and research in Sri Lanka. You can learn more about their mission at www.wwct.org
NZACT Zootopia 2 Screening
Join the National Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Team for an exclusive screening of Zootopia 2.
Your favourite animal detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back with a new case, on the trail of a mysterious reptile who is turning normal life in Zootopia upside down.
Ticket price includes the movie screening and an entry in the lucky door prize draw. All profits from ticket sales will be donated to an animal conservation organisation.
What's included
Movie screening ticket
Lucky door entry
What's not included: Food & drink not included but will be available for purchase at the venue.
ROARIN’ GOOD DEALS! - Black Friday at Jamala and the National Zoo & Aquarium
Grab a bargain this Black Friday at the National Zoo and Aquarium and Jamala Lodge.
Whether you’re chasing epic thrills, hunting for the perfect family activity, or planning a luxury weekend away, we’ve got you covered!
Offer codes valid from 21st November 2025 to 1st December 2025
ZOOFEST IS BACK FOR 2025!
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