Photo of Rockhampton Zoo in Queensland1 / 3
Zoos & Wildlife

Rockhampton Zoo

πŸ“ The Range, QLD

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β˜…4.5(2,106 Google reviews)πŸ’°FreeπŸ‘ΆAll ages

A free zoo set inside the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, with around 70 animals across 30-plus species. Families rate the knowledgeable keepers and the chimpanzee talks, though some enclosures can be quiet during renovations or hot weather.

βœ“ Free entryβœ“ Chimpanzee talksβœ“ Knowledgeable keepersβœ“ Renovations underwayβœ“ Animals quiet in heatβœ“ Cafe on site

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

If you're passing through Rocky, this is an easy win for a few hours with the kids - it's free, the staff clearly care, and the chimp talks are a genuine crowd-pleaser.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Go early on a cooler day so the animals are actually active - many are sluggish once it hits the mid-30s
⏰Check ahead for any renovation closures so you're not disappointed after a long drive
🎟️Bring a bit of cash or use the QR/EFTPOS to leave a donation since entry is free
πŸš—Catch the keeper talks - they're informative and the chimpanzee one is a standout

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.5
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2,106 Google reviews

5β˜…
1,435
4β˜…
474
3β˜…
129
2β˜…
31
1β˜…
37

G Reviews from Google

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Oliver Taylor

5 months ago

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β€œThe best you will get for a free zoo! Staff are incredibly kind and knowledgeable, the chimpanzee talk was amazing! Otters are cute as hell and the big salty is obviously a star attraction. Would pay $30 to tour the zoo so the fact it is free is fantastic.”

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David Buddy

8 months ago

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β€œRockhampton Zoo is definitely worth stopping by. One of the most surprising things about it is that *ntry is completely free! For a free zoo, the quality and range of animals you get to see is fantastic. The zoo has a great selection of animals, and even though it isn’t massive, there’s plenty to see and enjoy. One of the highlights of my visit was the chimpanzee enclosure. The chimps were incredibly active on the day, moving around, interacting with each other, and generally putting on a great show for visitors. Another thing that stood out was the keeper talks. They’re very informative and detailed, and you can tell the keepers genuinely care about the animals they work with. It’s a great way to learn more about the animals, their personalities, and the conservation work behind the scenes. Like many public spaces, there are a few areas that could use a bit of TLC. Some sections are a little overgrown with bushes and weeds, which makes parts of the zoo look slightly untidy. That said, it’s a fairly minor thing and didn’t take away from the overall experience. Overall, it’s a really enjoyable place to visit and well worth the time if you’re in the area. Since the zoo is free, I’d definitely encourage all to consider leaving a donation using the QR code or the EFTPOS machine at the entrance. It’s a great way to support the zoo and help keep it running for everyone to enjoy.”

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Nathan Curran

2 months ago

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β€œIf you ever pass through Rocky the zoo is a great place to spend a few hours, kids and adults will love seeing the animals, enjoy a coffee and food at the cafe.”

πŸ“Š Commonly mentioned in Google reviews

Based on Google review tags

Free admission

369 reviews

Chimpanzees

134 reviews

Free zoo

118 reviews

Meerkats

110 reviews

Koalas

47 reviews

Overview

Tucked into the Botanic Gardens, this free zoo is an easy few hours if you're passing through Rocky. The keepers clearly know their stuff and the chimpanzee talk is the one everyone remembers, with the otters and the resident saltie close behind. Pram-friendly paths and a cafe for coffee make it low-stress, though a few enclosures can be empty or the animals sluggish during renovations or hot-weather closures.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday09:00-16:15
Tuesday09:00-16:15
Wednesday09:00-16:15
Thursday09:00-16:15
Friday09:00-16:15
Saturday09:00-16:15
Sunday09:00-16:15

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