National Zoo & Aquarium
A privately run national zoo where you can feed cheetahs, lions, and giraffes up close. It also has Australian native animals and an aquarium.
The zoo lies on the western shore of Lake Burley Griffin, in Yarralumla. It keeps large cats, bears, giraffes, and native Australian animals such as kangaroos and wombats, and it also has an aquarium. Its signature offering is paid close-encounter experiences, such as feeding cheetahs or interacting with giraffes, which must be booked in advance. Adult admission is about AUD 50, and it is open roughly 9:30 to 17:00. You can stay on site at Jamala Wildlife Lodge and sleep among the animals. It is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre.
Opening hours
Daily, 09:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- National Arboretum Canberra
- Royal Australian Mint
- Telstra Tower (Black Mountain Tower)
- Lake Burley Griffin
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- National Museum of Australia
- National Film and Sound Archive
- Parliament House, Canberra