ALEXANDRA PARK ZOO

Welcome to Alexandra Park Zoo

Established in 1911, Alexandra Park Zoo is one of Queensland’s oldest continuously operating zoological facilities, proudly serving the Bundaberg region for over a century. Nestled within the scenic Alexandra Park, the zoo has a rich history of connecting the community with wildlife, mostly iconic Australian species but with some fascinating visitors from around the globe.

Over the years, the zoo has been home to a wide variety of animals, including koalas, saltwater crocodiles, kangaroos, whiptail wallabies and rhesus monkeys. Many of these animals were generously donated by local residents or acquired through partnerships with other zoos around Australia.

One of the Zoo’s most beloved residents was Torty, a Madagascan land tortoise who lived to an estimated age of 137 years. Gifted to Mr John Powe during a journey through Madagascar, Torty became a cherished family companion for five generations before being donated to the zoo in 1964. In 1979, renowned German scientist Klaus Lehmann identified Torty as the world’s second-oldest recorded living creature – a legacy that continues to inspire wonder.

Today, Alexandra Park Zoo is proudly council-run and fully accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), upholding the highest standards of animal welfare and care. With free entry for all visitors, the zoo focuses on showcasing species found in our local environment, encouraging the community to engage with nature and find out about wildlife that can be found in their own backyards. Through education and conservation efforts, we aim to inspire visitors to take meaningful steps to protect local animals and support a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Inside the Zoo

As you wander through the zoo’s shaded paths its natural symphony envelops you. Sulphur-crested cockatoos call raucously to one another, while colourful king parrots, red-winged parrots and princess parrots screech and flash through the aviaries. The soothing sound of cascading waterfalls echoes from our turtle ponds, mingling with the gentle hum of native bees buzzing around their nesting log. If it has been raining, you’ll surely hear the croaks of green tree frogs searching for a mate. You might even be lucky enough to hear the haunting howl of a dingo or the deep boom of a female emu echoing across the zoo.

Step into the cool shade of our ancient fig trees as you explore the emu and wallaby paddock and listen for the low, rhythmic drumming of the emus as they communicate with each other. In the barn, hear the chirps of cotton-top tamarins as they groom each other and the rustle of leaves as our spotted-tailed quoll scurries through his habitat.

From the 1920s through to the 1990s the zoo was home to medium-sized monkeys called rhesus macaques, who earned the zoo its long-standing local nickname, “Monkey Park” – a name that stuck even through the 2000s, when the monkeys were no longer part of the collection. In 2015, we embraced this community connection by introducing cotton-top tamarins, a playful nod to the zoo’s history and the memories shared by generations of visitors.

During school holidays, don’t miss our scheduled zookeeper presentations, where you can watch feedings and learn about a range of animals including tamarins, quolls, turtles, lace monitors, parrots, frogs, emus and wallabies. You might even get the chance to meet one of our friendly carpet pythons up close during our interactive roving sessions!

Conservation and Sustainability at Alexandra Park Zoo

At Alexandra Park Zoo, conservation and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do. As a council-run facility, we are committed to protecting wildlife, preserving natural habitats and inspiring our community to do the same.

One of our key conservation efforts focuses on the critically endangered cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), tiny primates found only in northwestern Colombia. With fewer than 7500 individuals left in the wild, their survival is threatened by habitat destruction due to cattle ranching, agriculture and urban development. As part of the Australasian Species Management Program coordinated by the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia, Alexandra Park Zoo plays an important role in ensuring the future of this species.

Our team contributes to global conservation efforts through the collection of vital data, participation in international discussions and delivery of educational talks to schools and community groups. Visitors can meet our cotton-top tamarins and learn firsthand why they’ve earned the title of “the cutest monkeys in South America” – and why they need our help.

Beyond wildlife conservation, Alexandra Park Zoo is dedicated to promoting sustainable living practices throughout the Bundaberg Region. We prioritise the use of products that are ethically and sustainably sourced, such as compostable binliners, and partner with organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council and businesses that demonstrate a commitment to reducing carbon emissions, as a mark of our support for environmental stewardship.

In collaboration with local conservation groups, we continually seek out new partnerships that align with our mission to connect community, country and wildlife. By routinely monitoring our water, power and waste usage, we constantly evaluate our environmental footprint and evolve our operations to be more sustainable every day.

Through education, action and collaboration, Alexandra Park Zoo is proud to promote conservation and sustainability both directly and indirectly – for wildlife, for the environment and for future generations.

Beyond the Zoo Gates

Your adventure doesn’t have to stop at the zoo. As the name suggests, the zoo is located inside Alexandra Park, which offers shady picnic areas, BBQ facilities and a bustling playground where the sounds of sizzling sausages and children’s laughter fill the air. Keep an ear out for the melodic calls of figbirds feasting in the treetops and the unmistakable whooping cry of rainbirds (also known as eastern koels) echoing through the canopy.

Enjoy a scenic walk from the zoo down to the Burnett River. A short stroll leads you to the fishing pier or, for those with a little more time, follow the Riverside Boardwalk – a 3-kilometre shared path perfect for bikes, prams, scooters, wheelchairs and walkers. The path skirts above the zoo’s wallaby enclosure, where you can smell the fresh river breeze and hear the rush of the nearby waterfall as it crashes below.

Whether you’re relaxing with a picnic, meeting an animal face-to-face or soaking in the sounds and sights of nature, Alexandra Park Zoo and its surrounding park is a place to connect, explore and be inspired.

Accessibility 

Alexandra Park Zoo is located at 29 Quay Street, on the corner of Quay and Burrum Streets, approximately 1.4 kilometres from Bundaberg town centre. The zoo is easily accessible by public and private transport and is situated within Alexandra Park, a large public green space with additional facilities. 

Public transport options include rail, bus, and rideshare and taxi services. Bundaberg Railway Station, located on McLean Street, is approximately 450 metres from the zoo, making it a convenient walking distance for visitors arriving by train. A taxi rank is also located at the railway station. Bus numbers 600, 602, 603, 606 and 608 serve the zoo, with a 700-metre walk from the nearest bus stop at Bundaberg Regional Galleries, Barolin Street.

Parking is available on-site and is free of charge. There is ample space for cars, buses, caravans and motorcycles. There are three designated accessible parking bays located near the main entrance of the zoo, allowing for easy access to the facility.

Alexandra Park Zoo is a single-level venue and is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. All pathways and entrances are designed to accommodate mobility devices and doorways are at least 91 centimetres wide. Two accessible toilets with right-hand transfer are available in Alexandra Park directly in front of the zoo entrance. These facilities include Braille signage to assist visitors with vision impairment.

The zoo welcomes accredited service dogs and grassy toileting areas for guide dogs are located in front of the zoo around the toilet block and playground, as well as along the rear perimeter of the zoo within the adjacent public park.

While the zoo does not currently offer sensory maps or quiet areas, staff can provide tactile experiences for visitors with vision impairments. These include items such as emu eggs, feathers and snake skins. Where appropriate and safe, opportunities to interact with animals such as dingoes or snakes may also be provided as part of guided experiences.

For more information about accessibility or directions, please visit the Alexandra Park Zoo website.