Cairns Tropical Zoo
A sensational place to take young children, families will love Cairns Tropical Zoo. A locally operated wildlife experience, Cairns Tropical Zoo brings visitors closer to animals than most other 'zoos'. There are many opportunities to hold, touch and interact with the animals at Cairns Tropical Zoo.
Do you want to cuddle a koala, or pat a crocodile? Perhaps you hope to hand feed some kangaroos and chat to cockatoos. Maybe you're interested in kissing toads and wrapping yourself in snakes. Whatever you fancy, Cairns Tropical Zoo at Palm Cove is the place to visit.
Formerly known as Wild World, Cairns Tropical Zoo showcases a large variety of Australian animals, only 20 minutes north of Cairns. It consists of six hectares (15 acres) of landscaped Australian gardens displaying Australia's unique animals and international exotics. It's not only a fun and educational experience for kids, but an enlightening and funny adventure for adults too.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Cairns Tropical Zoo for visitors is it providing a close up wildlife experience with North Queensland's endemic animals and mammals, birds and reptiles indigenous to the area's Wet Tropics rainforest, including the Daintree Rainforest.
Wildlife Shows
Check the Cairns Tropical Zoo's daily program to see what time you should be at the zoo. Many of the shows are explained below.
Snake Show
Nowhere else will you see people squirm and wriggle yet be so desperate to see what's happening, than at the snake show. Highly trained experts display a number of local snakes and allow members of the audience to touch and handle the reptiles if they wish. The show is performed from within a cage to ensure complete safety. This show is also the only one to feature the deadliest snake on earth – Taipan. (Don't worry, you won't be allowed to handle this one.)
Crocodile Show
Here's another scary performance. Watch the resident saltwater and freshwater crocodiles at feeding time, but from a safe distance of course. Wild World's crocodile handler talks from within the crocodile pen about the amazing life cycles and history of the only remaining legacy of the dinosaurs. These incredible creatures are captivating as they devour their lunch. The largest crocodile at Wild World is “Sarge”, and he has been at the park for more than 20 years and is 5 meters long.
Bird Show
Ok, this show isn't quite as intense as the crocodile show, but it's just as interesting. Tropical birds come in a startling array of shapes, sizes and colours, and all serve special functions to keep the tropical ecosystem alive.
Koala Keeper Talk
There is no other native Australian animal as cute as a koala. The ranger at Cairns Tropical Zoo gives a talk about the life cycle of these gentle creatures, and visitors are able to cuddle them. If you please, you can also have your photo taken with your favourite real live teddy bear.
What Animals are at Cairns Tropical Zoo?
Australian animals roam around the park for you to interact with.
- The Kangaroo Paddock features more than 50 tame Eastern Grey Kangaroos that you can pat, feed from your hand, and take photos with. Kangaroo food can be purchased for $1 per bag when you enter the zoo.
- Wombats are always on display, but be warned – they love to sleep. Every afternoon one of the wombats is brought out to meet the public and you can have your photo taken with the sleepyhead.
- The native Australian dog, the Dingo, is also on display at Wild World. These dogs are very friendly and harmless to visitors.
Snake Display
Safely housed behind thick glass is Wild Worlds collection of Australian snakes. From small adders to giant pythons, you can see them all. You can have your photo taken with a Boa Constrictor, or check out the other reptiles such as Monitors, Dragons, Lizards, Crocodiles and Alligators