Monarto Safari Park is open under a SA Health Covid Management Plan. Please book a ticket prior to visiting, and click here to read our vaccination, face mask and travel requirements.

Visitor Information

Monarto Safari Park, formerly known as Monarto Zoo, will be the largest safari experience to exist outside of Africa. Spanning more than 1,500 hectares and home to more than 50 species of exotic and native mammals, birds and reptiles, you can actually fit every major zoo in Australia in Monarto Safari Park and still have land left over! Monarto Safari Park is home to many of Africa’s most impressive animals and also one of Australia’s largest lion prides and giraffe herds.

The park is located 60 minutes (70 kilometres) from South Australia’s capital city Adelaide and is the gateway to the picturesque Murraylands region.

Monarto Safari Park opened in 1983 as a breeding and pasture area. Since officially opening to the public in October 1993, the park is now home to more than 500 animals roaming in vistas as far as the eye can see. It’s an escape from the city that immerses visitors in a natural safari-style setting.

Over the years Monarto has celebrated outstanding breeding success and our captivating, quirky and unique animals have captured the hearts of our visitors.

Monarto Safari Park is owned and operated by a conservation charity, Zoos SA.

Start your adventure

Explore Monarto Safari Park by hopping on our free Zu-loop bus! As you travel around the open plains of Monarto Safari Park, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped out onto your very own African safari! The bus will bring you through our large open-range exhibits, you will get to see our amazing animals in a natural setting and hear more from our passionate guides!

To make the most of your visit, make sure you hop off at our viewing platforms.

Feeling energetic? You can also explore our 10km network of walking tracks. For those visitors keen to explore our zoo by foot, we have a number of tracks available ranging from easy to medium grading, with some suitable for robust pushers.

Please note: Due to increased rainfall we are currently experiencing a large number of mosquitos on site. We recommend for visitors to bring and apply mosquito repellent on their visit to Monarto Safari Park.

Covid information:

Here’s what you need to know for your next visit.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and to ensure the safety of our staff, visitors and animals, a date-specific ticket or reservation will be required for all visitors whether you’re a current Zoos SA member, have purchased an entry ticket previously, have a voucher (purchased directly from us or via third-party provider) or are a new ticket purchaser.

Date specific tickets and reservations will help us to manage our capacity requirements. These tickets can be booked up to 3 months in advance.

To cancel or change your booking please email reservations@zoossa.com.au with your Order Number, name and contact details.

Please visit our tickets page by clicking the button below to make a reservation or book your tickets.

Book now

Monarto Safari Park Map

Monarto Safari Park is open daily!

Our opening hours are:

1 April – 30 November: 9:30am – 5pm with last entry at 3pm.

1 December – 31 March: 9:00am – 4.30pm with last entry at 2.30pm.

We are open every day of the year, including Christmas and all public holidays. The exception to this is if SA County Fire Service declare a Catastrophic Fire Ban in which case the park will be closed.

To find out more about our summer opening times click here.

To get the most out of your visit we recommend setting aside a minimum of four to five hours to fully enjoy the Monarto Safari Park experience. There are a number of ways to experience the zoo including on the free Zu-Loop Shuttle, pre-booked Safari Tours for groups and by foot via the walking track network.

Visitor vehicles must remain parked at the Visitor Centre.

Monarto Safari Park offers a wide range of daily zoo keeper talks and animal feeds that give guests the opportunity to interact with our friendly staff and learn about the parks’s unique residents.

Follow the presentation schedule to get the most out of your visit to Monarto Safari Park. To see the full keeper presentations schedule click here.

Looking for a more unique animal experience? Consider booking a Behind the Scenes Animal Experience to come face to face with some of our remarkable animal residents.

The café is open daily and offers a range of tasty treats, small bites and hot meals.

Picnics: For those who prefer to bring their own meals, sheltered picnic areas are available close to the Visitor Centre. Please note due to fire risk, the park does not allow for the use of BBQs.

Monarto Safari Park has a network of approximately 10kms of walking tracks. For those visitors keen to explore the park by foot, there are a range of walking tracks available ranging from easy to medium grading and are suitable for robust pushers.

Emu Track
The Emu Track is a self-guided 20-30 minute walk past a variety of birdlife and native flora. Easy grading.

Mallee Fowl Track
The Mallee Fowl Track is a self-guided tour of approximately 20 minutes to a habitat where you can see these unique birds in a native setting. Easy grading.

Ridge Track
The Ridge Track takes approximately 20 minutes and includes some beautiful views of giraffe, zebra or eland and their surrounds. Moderate grading.

Boma Track
The Boma Track is a self-guided walk of approximately 25 minutes leading to the Southern White Rhino enclosure. Moderate grading. Access to the cheetah track and viewing platform is via the Boma Track.

Bretag Track
The Bretag track is approximately 35 minutes one way and will take you from the Rhino Boma, past historic stone ruins to the African Lion and Painted Dog viewing platform.

Depending on prevailing weather conditions, Walking Tracks are subject to closure at short notice.

From Adelaide by car take the Monarto exit off the South Eastern Freeway to the Princes Highway and follow the signs. Approximate travelling time sixty minutes – distance approximately 65km from Adelaide CBD to Monarto Safari Park.

From the East by car take the Murray Bridge exit off the South Eastern Freeway to the Princes Highway and follow the signs. Approximate travelling time 15 minutes – distance approximately 14km from Murray Bridge to Monarto Safari Park.

For those visitors who prefer not to drive, please contact Link SA for details of bus travel from Adelaide departing from the Central Bus Station (Monday to Saturday) phone 08 8532 2633. Timetable information is available on the Link SA website. Bookings are essential.

By Bus

Prefer to catch the bus?

It’s easy and convenient.

LinkSA now has a direct service from Adelaide CBD to Monarto Safari Park Monday to Friday in the morning with a return trip to Adelaide mid-afternoon to allow you a full day at the Monarto. You can also access the park from Murray Bridge via LinkSA services.

Want a bit more flexibility, LinkSA also offers 6 connecting services to Monarto Safari Park throughout the week.  From Adelaide catch an Adelaide Metro Service to Mount Barker and connect at the Dumas Street Park ‘n’ Ride with a LinkSA service taking you from Mount Barker to Monarto Safari Park.  Some weekend services are also available via the Mt Barker connecting services.

Click on the Monarto Safari Park icon on the LinkSA Website for full timetable details.

For further information on timetables and fares please contact Link SA on (08) 8532 2633 or visit their website.

 

Monarto Safari Park services and facilities ensure an enjoyable and fulfilling experience whether you are a day visitor, attending an educational excursion or an after-hours function.

  • Picnic and Rest Areas
  • Public Amenities – including disabled toilets and baby change rooms
  • First Aid facilities – first aid facilities are available
  • Disabled Access – the park provides ramps and railings for disability access
  • Assistance Animals – Zoos SA is unfortunately unable to allow assistance animals on site at Monarto Safari Park. Temporary accommodation for assistance dogs can be provided; however, it is recommended leaving service animals at home. If required, Zoos SA recommends visiting with a companion who can assist during your visit.

Parking

Monarto Safari Park offers a number of accessible car parks close to the Visitor Centre entrance. Paths are not sealed, however are suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.

Concession Pricing

Zoos SA offers a range of admission options and offers a discounted concession rate with any valid Government issued concession card.

Click here to purchase your tickets

Government Issued Carer & Companion Cards

Zoos SA recognises the national Government issued Companion Card and Carer Australia Card. Free entry is offered for one carer accompanying the cardholder when using one of the approved cards below.

  • Government issued Carers Australia card for each Australian State
  • Government issued Companion Card for each Australian State
  • QLD Government Issued Carer Card
  • Government issued Foster Carer Card
  • SA Department for Education and Child Development
  • We Care Victoria Government Carer Card

Please note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a date-specific ticket or reservation will be required for all visitors. The cardholder presenting one of the above-mentioned cards must purchase a ticket for themselves, then can reserve a ticket for their companion at no extra charge. Please visit our tickets page to make a reservation or book your tickets. The date-specific ticket and companion/carers card must both be presented upon entry.

Service Animals

Zoos SA is unfortunately unable to allow assistance animals on site at Monarto Safari Park. Temporary accommodation for assistance dogs can be provided; however, it is recommended leaving service animals at home. Zoos SA recommends visiting with friends or family who can assist during your visit.

Bathrooms

Monarto Safari Park is equipped with accessible toilet facilities, including baby change tables, to ensure the safety and privacy of all our visitors. Accessible toilets are located at:

Visitor Centre  (Map Ref: 11E)

Chimpanzee Platform  (Map Ref: 15F)

Waterhole Function Centre  (Map Ref:  11L)

Giraffe Platform (Map Ref: 11M)

Rhino Boma (Map Ref: 6N )

Carnivores Platform (Map Ref:3R )

Seating and Drinking Fountains

Drinking fountains are situated at the Visitor Centre, Rhino Boma and Windana viewing areas

Accessible seating options and picnic tables are available throughout the park.

Café

Our Monarto Cafe offers a range of tasty treats and hot food. The café is wheelchair accessible and offer highchair and seating facilities.

Windana pop up Café is open during peak times, for a small range of tasty treats and hot food.

Picnics: For those who prefer to bring their own meals, sheltered picnic areas are available close to the Visitor Centre. Please note due to fire risk, the park does not allow the use of BBQs.

Zoo Shop

The Zoo shop is wheelchair accessible and located in the Visitor Centre. Don’t miss the chance to purchase unique Monarto Safari Park memorabilia; it’s the best way to remember your experience at one of South Australia’s most iconic attractions.

Getting Around

Explore Monarto Safari Park by hopping on one of our Zu-loop buses. Each bus is guided by one of our experienced volunteer guides. Throughout the tour, buses will stop at a range of viewing platforms. Visitors have the opportunity to hop off the bus and enjoy a keeper talk or spend time viewing their favourite animals. Visitors can then make their way back to the bus stop to continue through the park on the next available Zu-loop bus.

Wheelchair accessible buses are available. Enquire at the Visitor Centre for departure times. All viewing platforms have wheelchair accessible ramps and toilet facilities. For further information on size specification for motorised wheelchair accessible please click the link.

The following Wildlife viewing platforms are all wheelchair accessible,

  • Giraffe Viewing Platform
  • Rhino viewing platform (with assistance – there is an initial steep incline from the bus stop to the platform)
  • Cheetah Viewing Platform (with assistance – there is an initial steep incline to the cheetah platform and is approx 10 minutes walk from the bus stop.
  • Carnivore Viewing Platform (with assistance)
  • Chimp Viewing Platform (located approx 10 min from the Visitor Centre, the gradient on the path has an incline on the return journey to the Visitor Centre)

Paths to the platforms and walking tracks are not sealed, and are suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.

Walking Tracks

The walking tracks around Monarto Safari Park are rubble so they may not be suitable for unassisted use by visitors in wheelchairs  Please ask our Information Desk staff for further information regarding individual tracks.

Visitor Information Centre

For further information about wheelchair accessibility and bus times please ask at the Information desk.

Wheelchair Accessible “Behind the Scenes” experiences

Monarto Safari Park’s Lions 360 experience is wheelchair accessible. This experience requires the visitor to be self propelled or have another person for assistance. For further information contact bookings on (08) 8267 3255

Monarto Safari Park offers a comprehensive range of discounted group visit options which cater for visits with or without your own bus.

Visiting groups to Monarto Safari Park have the opportunity and flexibility to experience our open range zoo in a number of ways:

Zoos SA recognises reciprocal membership rights of the following Australian zoos:

  • Taronga Conservation Society of Australia (Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo)
  • Perth Zoo
  • Zoos Victoria (Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary)

Please note, South Australian residents holding Zoos Victoria or Taronga membership will no longer receive free child member entry to Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park and will be required to pay normal admission to enter. This reflects a national change to reciprocal entry rights among participating zoos.

This only applies to Zoos Victoria and Taronga child members. It does not affect Zoos Victoria or Taronga adult members who will still enjoy free admission to all participating zoos.

To gain access to Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, please provide ID (showing a photo + address), your valid interstate membership card and a letter of validity (so we can determine that your membership has not expired) from your parent zoo and present them to gate staff on entry.

A letter of validity can be obtained from your member organisation by phoning;

Taronga Zoo Friends Office – (02) 9969 2777
Perth Zoo Friends Office – (08) 9474 0350
Zoos Vic Member – 1300 966 784

 

Environmental sustainability is living within the limits of what the environment can provide. It’s about understanding the many interconnection between the economy, society and the environment. More so it’s about the equal distribution of resources and opportunities. Learn how you can reduce your carbon footprint and help wildlife.

Climate change is already impacting species and their habitat. By adopting more sustainable practices we can help reduce the impact of climate change.

Zoos SA has a sustainability program to reduce our footprint. We undertake voluntary carbon planting to counter our carbon emissions, while also creating new habitat for species.

Reduce your footprint on the earth by taking sustainable action in your everyday life.

  • take simple steps to save energy and water
  • choose renewable resources
  • Refuse/Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
  • choose sustainable transport and walk, ride or bus

Have a question? Search our most Frequently Asked Questions to find the answer you might be looking for.

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Zoo’s SA will mandate double vaccinations for all staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors aged 16 and over from… https://t.co/Cx7yEX2K8U

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Annual Membership

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OSHC daytime visits

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About Zoos SA

Zoos SA is a not-for-profit conservation charity that exists to connect people with nature and save species from extinction.

Zoos SA acknowledges the Country on which we stand always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land and we pay our deepest respect and gratitude to Kaurna (Adelaide Zoo) and Ngarrindjeri (Monarto Safari Park) Elders, past, present and emerging.

We undertake critical conservation work throughout Australia and acknowledge the traditional custodians of these lands.

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Contact Us

Monarto Safari Park,
Old Princes Highway,
Monarto South, SA 5254
Email: information@zoossa.com.au
Click here to get in touch via our contact form