Cairns Night Zoo
Cairns Night Zoo
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
We have a long standing reputation for offering our guests a great Australian night out! You get the opportunity to experience nocturnal wildlife in the tropics at Cairns' one and only Night Zoo.Our guides will greet you at 7.00pm sharp at the Night Zoo entrance and escort you to our famous Aussie BBQ. Enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner of steak, sausages and seafood with fresh garden salads followed by a dessert. Relax with a drink from our licensed bar.After dinner, our guides will provide you with a torch and lead you into the darkness to meet the creatures of the night. Learn how owls hunt, touch a possum and pat a koala. On clear nights our guides will take you star gazing. See the Southern Cross, the Big Dipper and other well known constellations.Follow our guides as they lead you safely through the crocodiles' lair. See the croc eyes glow in your torchlight.In the Aussie bush, there's always a chance you will cross paths with a "Swaggie" (an original Australian bushman). Join our hospitable Swaggie and enjoy billy tea and damper with him by the campfire. His friends, the kangaroos, will come down to say G'day and maybe even share a bite to eat!After complimentary cold beer or wine, join in the fun as our guides teach you some famous Aussie Bush Dances. Dance and sing along - it's more fun than you can imagine!
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4.5
179 reviews
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12
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7
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Stay6094
cumbria3 contributions
we had pre booked this trip and would you believe it we had the tail end of a cyclone,-rain like you have never seen before (even in the uk).
So we rang ahead to see if the evening would be cancelled, and were told it would go ahead as usual.
And what a night it was!-when you arrive there is a really good all you can eat buffet, with LOTS and LOTS of alcohol (they keep filling your glass when you're not looking, honestly! well that was my excuse anyway).
Then we went on a tour of the zoo, armed with brolly and torch,and it actually stopped raining for a while.
Then we met the "swaggie" and had billy tea and damper (which the kangaroos robbed from us ).
Then it was silly dancing and singing time, and after all that alcohol, EVERYONE joined in !
All in all an excellent evening , well worth the money.10 out of 10 :D
So we rang ahead to see if the evening would be cancelled, and were told it would go ahead as usual.
And what a night it was!-when you arrive there is a really good all you can eat buffet, with LOTS and LOTS of alcohol (they keep filling your glass when you're not looking, honestly! well that was my excuse anyway).
Then we went on a tour of the zoo, armed with brolly and torch,and it actually stopped raining for a while.
Then we met the "swaggie" and had billy tea and damper (which the kangaroos robbed from us ).
Then it was silly dancing and singing time, and after all that alcohol, EVERYONE joined in !
All in all an excellent evening , well worth the money.10 out of 10 :D
Written 12 March 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Owl2Dragon
Hawley, PA20 contributions
July 2015 • Friends
I'm visiting Australia for the first time to see my aunt who lives in Sydney. We came here for a brief visit, during my two week time here. The number one thing on my list was to see and hold a koala and see some kangaroos. We arrived in Cairns on a Saturday afternoon, and had the second half of that day or during the day on Monday to go to the zoo. Our concierge at the hotel told us about the Night at the Zoo option, so we took it, and I'm thrilled that we did. It was such a cool way to see the zoo. The price includes dinner, desserts, complimentary beer and wine, and soft drinks, and then in addition you get to see the animals. Not all of the animal pens are lit and/or some of the animals are asleep. However, you see the koalas (and for an additional price you can hold one and have your picture taken), the reptile barn with a lot of snakes, lizards, and frogs. At the end of that exhibit you can hold a black headed snake and use your own camera to take a picture (no additional cost), you see the crocodile pits where they feed them, and then you finish with the feeding of the Kangaroos. At the end of the night, there is a musician and dancing, with free drinks. Truly a great experience and the crowd is a controlled amount. One of the best zoo experiences of my life!
Written 21 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Billee K
Raleigh, NC7 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
We very much enjoyed the dinner and the interactive entertainment. I do wish that they had split the large group of attendees into smaller groups for the walk around the zoo area. The large mob they led around meant that it was very difficult to see some of the animals.
Written 17 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cameron S
Queenstown, Australia10 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
Decided to go on a whim after a quick skim through a brochure thinking it would be about nocturnal animals doing there thing. It was not. It started with a cheap barbeque and beers with an attempt to make a weird pub setting. The actors performed well, but generally speaking if I want a meal and a few beers I can go down to pretty much any pub and get better food and grog while spending considerably less. I expected it to be a bit tacky, but had no idea how much so. Afterwards the option to pay $20 for a photo with a koala came up, I wasn't interested, but the fact they were asking for more money made me start to think what the hell my $100 covered! We then went through the reptile enclosure and had a snake handling opportunity. After that a bit of croc feeding, a couple of minutes sitting around a camp singing bush ballads with a cuppa, then back to the tacky pub to re-inact being in primary school doing the Hockey Pockey and such, at least you could have a couple of beers. They poured all the beers then left them out for 15 minutes or so, thus it was a bit flat by the time you got it. After that your sent to the gift shop and sent on your way. Was advertised as taking 3 hours, but I was back in my car within 2 and half, maybe I was supposed to spend half an hour in the gift shop?
All in all was very tacky and left a bad taste in my mouth asking why it was so expesive. I really hope the cover charge goes towards a charity or something. I don't like leaving negative reviews, however if you are Aussie, been camping at least once in your life or been to a pub once or twice I'd recommend anything other than this.
All in all was very tacky and left a bad taste in my mouth asking why it was so expesive. I really hope the cover charge goes towards a charity or something. I don't like leaving negative reviews, however if you are Aussie, been camping at least once in your life or been to a pub once or twice I'd recommend anything other than this.
Written 6 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Della B
13 contributions
Disappointed with whole experience. Entry was greeted with "Non Australian" only four tables set for "Non Australian" meal, Dome sausages, chicken, salad, supermarket desserts and if you hurry you may enjoy a complimentary drink. Staff staying behind bar? (Why not interact with eating a meal with us)? No, instead they grabbed plates of food and took back behind bar area lol. Don't think about seconds as its all quickly whisked away!!! Off for photos with koalas if you pay more!!! (Should be inclusive) We didn't so was shunted to the side not knowing where to go next. By now, a segregated group wandering aimlessly until the animal show, where we were shown up close a cane toad, (another koala) roo and an owl. Knowledge was shared, however jump in quick for interactive questions! Felt rushed.
Kangaroos to feed as we were herded like cattle to another area. Only two came up but not interested in food from yet more tourists. Only a small group of about twelve, probably four only westerners, this was ok but struggled to hear the guide sometimes over the Japanese translator. Felt like we weren't supposed to be there unless an overseas visitor. The poor crocodile, tormented with fish to "lunge" for us kept smacking his lower jaw on the side concrete each time!! Would have preferred not to see this sad moment, maybe hold the fish out further!!!!!! So not to smash his jaw each time expected to miss!!!!
Back for damper n billy tea, but quickly now we "have" to dance!!!
Staff obviously were "just doing there job" and no more that night!!
Couple of staff did shine and seem interested but couldn't tell you who they were - no name tags???
Back to base, quick drink, souvenir shop, see you later.
Doesn't look as authentic and organised as most photos shown.
Cannot see for life of me where the huge cost involved comes into it. Yes, i would have preferred to sit at a posh restaurant! It would probably have been more entertaining and the food and service would have been worked for!!!! Personally not one staff member approached us and asked how we were going.
Second grade!!!!!
Kangaroos to feed as we were herded like cattle to another area. Only two came up but not interested in food from yet more tourists. Only a small group of about twelve, probably four only westerners, this was ok but struggled to hear the guide sometimes over the Japanese translator. Felt like we weren't supposed to be there unless an overseas visitor. The poor crocodile, tormented with fish to "lunge" for us kept smacking his lower jaw on the side concrete each time!! Would have preferred not to see this sad moment, maybe hold the fish out further!!!!!! So not to smash his jaw each time expected to miss!!!!
Back for damper n billy tea, but quickly now we "have" to dance!!!
Staff obviously were "just doing there job" and no more that night!!
Couple of staff did shine and seem interested but couldn't tell you who they were - no name tags???
Back to base, quick drink, souvenir shop, see you later.
Doesn't look as authentic and organised as most photos shown.
Cannot see for life of me where the huge cost involved comes into it. Yes, i would have preferred to sit at a posh restaurant! It would probably have been more entertaining and the food and service would have been worked for!!!! Personally not one staff member approached us and asked how we were going.
Second grade!!!!!
Written 18 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Della, as you know I've been in touch with you directly and I did try to phone you but was not able to get an answer. This may just have been bad timing.
From a review of most of the other things you did in Cairns it seems you were unhappy with almost everything and that you were losing quite a bit of sleep at your accommodation, which is something completely out of our control. It is unfortunate that you did not enjoy your experience with us but likewise it seems you possibly had a fixed impression in your minds when you attended Cairns Night Zoo that it is something other that it is.
Yes, there are almost always people there for other countries as we run an international attraction which welcomes people from around the globe. Some of them are from Korea, China and Japan plus many Australians that are from a wide range of international backgrounds also. That is Australia. We do our best to make sure that the language guides work co-operatively with our English speaking guide. The meal is substantial and is not held out to be a five star gourmet offering. Because of the range of ages and nationalities we serve, we have to provide something that is suitable for everyone not too hot, not too spicy but freshly cooked and generous in the serving portions.
It may be a great idea for you to open your own restaurant and I'm sure the food and service will be brilliant as you clearly have such an extensive knowledge on the subject it would be a shame for you not to follow it up as vocation.
Regard,
Angela
Written 10 August 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jumbymomof4
Singapore, Singapore4 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
Went to the Cairns Night Zoo last night with our four children (ages 10, 8, 6, 6) upon recommendation from friends. Our children like, but don't love, animals so I wasn't sure how much they would like this. We've also petted koalas and kangaroos a few days ago at Featherdale in Sydney. However, we all had a wonderful time and would highly recommend this experience!! The staff was extremely kind, informative, and passionate about what they do. The dinner food was fine and represented local culture. The zoo tour was fantastic and very informational and interactive. It was disappointing to have to pay an additional $16 per person to hold the koala, especially since we have 4 children so it added up quickly. But, we loved the koala Kaila, and the pictures were great! The dancing at the end was much more fun and interactive than we expected and we loved hearing some of the local Australian songs. Overall, a FANTASTIC night out and one we'll all be talking about for years to come!
Written 21 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amyshore
Manlius17 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
My daughter (10 years old) and I are what I would call "zoo snobs" so when we saw the entrance to this zoo, we figured it would be kind of rinky dink. We've done a lot of "animal encounters" and "behind the scenes" tours of major zoos in America and I figured this would be a nice way to pass an evening, make sure we got to see some koalas up close, and that would be that.
Well, it was epic. Not because it is fancy or huge or any of the other things that can make zoos great. It was the staff and their knowledge and care for the animals. During the Night Zoo, you have plenty of time to visit with the animals (20+ minutes in the koala area) and the keepers talk with you one-on-one about the animals. My daughter and I were in heaven! And the keepers have a great sense of humor. They put on a kind of show for the kids, pretending they are "swabbies" (hope I got that word right), singing and dancing, etc. One of our favorite experiences in Australia.
Well, it was epic. Not because it is fancy or huge or any of the other things that can make zoos great. It was the staff and their knowledge and care for the animals. During the Night Zoo, you have plenty of time to visit with the animals (20+ minutes in the koala area) and the keepers talk with you one-on-one about the animals. My daughter and I were in heaven! And the keepers have a great sense of humor. They put on a kind of show for the kids, pretending they are "swabbies" (hope I got that word right), singing and dancing, etc. One of our favorite experiences in Australia.
Written 23 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Devin
Linden, NJ713 contributions
This place was great. Upon arrival, we were fed dinner and drinks (which were included, all you can drink..and they kept pouring..). The dinner was nothing special and there were a lot of pushy people there (and they weren't australians!). The staff was really nice and fun!
After dinner, we were ushered off into the night zoo, after taking our torches (flashlights). Upon our first stop, we actually ran into a death adder (one of the deadliest snakes) which wasn't part of the zoo and was just slithering along. Some of the stupid tourists hovered over it taking pictures, not caring that it was a deadly snake. ..that was a little annoying.
We went around and got to see all of the nocturnal animals, even petting the koalas and watching a demonstration of a crocodile being fed.
Afterwards, they led us to the kangaroo area, where we were fed damper bread (which is a kind of sweet sticky bread) and billy tea, while walking around with the kangaroos. This was the part of the tour that really aggravated me because some of these tourists just have no respect for animals, as they were taking pictures of the kangaroos with their flashes, which nearly blinded the kangaroos..and they were out of control. The staff should really advise people not to do this if they really care about the animals.
So afterwards, we went back to the front area and there was a little sing-along to some favorite australia songs, like waltzing matilda. The guitar player/singer was fun...
Then we were ushered out through the gift shop, of course. One of the animal handlers was holding a wombat and we got to pet him. It was one of the animals (besides the kangaroos and koalas) that I couldn't wait to see up close and personal and he was so cute! Of course, once again, the stupid tourists were pushing and shoving to get closeup.
Overall, this tour is great...unfortunately, there's no accounting for some of the obnoxious people that were there!
After dinner, we were ushered off into the night zoo, after taking our torches (flashlights). Upon our first stop, we actually ran into a death adder (one of the deadliest snakes) which wasn't part of the zoo and was just slithering along. Some of the stupid tourists hovered over it taking pictures, not caring that it was a deadly snake. ..that was a little annoying.
We went around and got to see all of the nocturnal animals, even petting the koalas and watching a demonstration of a crocodile being fed.
Afterwards, they led us to the kangaroo area, where we were fed damper bread (which is a kind of sweet sticky bread) and billy tea, while walking around with the kangaroos. This was the part of the tour that really aggravated me because some of these tourists just have no respect for animals, as they were taking pictures of the kangaroos with their flashes, which nearly blinded the kangaroos..and they were out of control. The staff should really advise people not to do this if they really care about the animals.
So afterwards, we went back to the front area and there was a little sing-along to some favorite australia songs, like waltzing matilda. The guitar player/singer was fun...
Then we were ushered out through the gift shop, of course. One of the animal handlers was holding a wombat and we got to pet him. It was one of the animals (besides the kangaroos and koalas) that I couldn't wait to see up close and personal and he was so cute! Of course, once again, the stupid tourists were pushing and shoving to get closeup.
Overall, this tour is great...unfortunately, there's no accounting for some of the obnoxious people that were there!
Written 3 August 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michelle a
57 contributions
Aug 2016
The night begins by sitting down to a buffet style meal which was delicious and plentiful, and complimentary drinks, then you split into groups for the tour. Theres obviously only the nocturnal animals to see and unfortunately we couldnt see the star guide as it was cloudy that night but it was a nice tour nonetheless. I enjoyed the billy tea and damper that was delicious and had a precious moment with one of the wallabies there,,,see photo. The hoedown was a bunch of fun at the end of the night and drinks provided again.
Written 25 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neets66
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
We came here about 3 years ago and it was great. Oh what a difference a pending closure makes. Do yourself a favour and don't come here. Food terrible, staff rushed you through to get more bucks. Treated like a school kid and yet called "dear" in a VERY condescending way (and by the way, I'm in my 40s!) by a VERY loud mouthed galah, sorry, staff member, who doesn't know sulphur is yellow. Made to feel like a second class citizen and a dunce. And I do just love animals. What a shame. The staff just ruined our family experience. The sooner they close, the better. And to all of the staff who need to get a job elsewhere now - get some PR EXPERIENCE and respect the customers, who, after all, are paying your wages, DEAR!!!
Written 9 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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