Darling Downs Zoo is a zoo at Pilton, south of Toowoomba, open every day from 9 am to 4 pm except Christmas Day. It keeps big cats, primates, birds and reptiles, and the grounds also work as a sanctuary where native wildlife wanders free.
The free keeper talks through the morning are the reason to time your arrival, so plan to be there before they start.
Animals at Darling Downs Zoo
The zoo lists cats, birds, reptiles, primates and other mammals. Its daily talk schedule names lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, a pygmy hippo, meerkats, siamangs, binturongs and baby crocodilians, so that gives you a good idea of what you will see.
The photos on this page show a serval, a red-handed tamarin and a whiptail wallaby photographed at the zoo, so the animals are a mix of exotic and Australian species.
Free animal talks
The daily talks are free. The zoo’s morning list includes:
- 10:15 am: baby crocodilian meet
- 10:40 am: siamang and binturong talk
- 11:00 am: leopard talk
- 11:15 am: giraffe and cheetah talk
- 11:30 am: pygmy hippo and meerkat talk
- 11:40 am: African lions session
Times can change, so check the zoo’s website on the day.
Animal encounters
Personal animal encounters are sold separately and do not include park entry. The zoo says they often sell out, so book online before you go. Sessions are limited to four people, run weather permitting, and you need closed-in shoes. The encounters listed are:
- African lion (big cat): $150, ages 10 and over, sessions at 10 am and 12:30 pm.
- Giraffe: $80, ages 10 and over, 11 am.
- Zebra: $80, ages 10 and over, 10 am.
- Meerkat: $100, under 10s need a paying adult, sessions at 10 am, 12:30 pm and 2 pm.
- Marmoset: $80, under 10s need a paying adult, sessions at 10 am, 12:30 pm and 2 pm.
- Lemur: $100, ages 10 and over, 12:30 pm and 2 pm.
- Capybara: $100, ages 5 and over (under 10s need a paying adult), 1:30 pm.
Book through the zoo’s encounters page. The zoo lists the meerkat encounter as not suitable for wheelchairs and the zebra encounter as not suitable for people with mobility issues; it does not state wheelchair access for the others.
Zoofari night tour
The Zoofari night tour runs on Saturday nights at 6 pm from 1 October to 30 April. You eat a BBQ dinner while you listen to the animals’ night calls, then explore the zoo by torchlight with a zookeeper. It takes about 3 hours.
Adults are $150, concessions $130 and children $110, and the price includes one day of zoo entry on the Sunday after the tour. Bookings are essential, must be made at least 3 days ahead and need a minimum of 4 people; smaller groups should contact the zoo.
Darling Downs Zoo ticket prices
Check current prices on the zoo’s website before you go; tickets are sold online. Entry prices are not published on the zoo’s main page, so none are listed here.
Is Darling Downs Zoo pet friendly?
No. You cannot bring your own animals, and that includes service and assistance animals.
Planning your visit
- Hours: 9 am to 4 pm every day, including public holidays and long weekends. Last admission is 3 pm. Closed Christmas Day.
- Talks: the listed morning talks run from 10:15 am to 11:40 am, so arrive by 10 am to catch them.
- Cost: check current prices on the zoo’s website. Encounters are extra and do not include entry.
- Wildlife in the grounds: free-roaming native animals live in the grounds; the zoo asks visitors not to approach or disturb them.
Getting there
The zoo is at the corner of Gatton-Clifton Road and Baines Road, Pilton. It is about 145 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 2 hours 10 minutes by car, and about 50 km from Toowoomba City Hall, about 45 minutes. Phone the zoo on 07 4696 4107 if you need to check anything.
If you are coming from Toowoomba, the city’s parks and gardens below make easy extra stops.
You might also like
- Queens Park, Toowoomba – gardens and picnic tables for a lunch break.
- Japanese Gardens, Toowoomba – a calm stop with a lake and red bridge.
- Picnic Point, Toowoomba – lookout over the Lockyer Valley.
- Cobb and Co Museum – a good rainy day follow-up.
- Toowoomba Farmers Market – for weekend visits.
- David Fleay Wildlife Park – another Queensland wildlife park for animal fans.
Browse more zoos and wildlife parks or things to do in Toowoomba. Details can change, so check the zoo’s website before you go.
Quick answers
What time does Darling Downs Zoo open?
9 am to 4 pm daily, with last admission at 3 pm. It is closed on Christmas Day.
How much is Darling Downs Zoo?
Check current prices on the zoo’s website. Animal encounters cost $80 to $150 a person and do not include entry.
Can I bring my dog to Darling Downs Zoo?
No. The zoo does not allow visitors’ animals, including service and assistance animals.
Are the animal talks free?
Yes. The daily talks are free, while personal animal encounters are paid and often sell out.
How far is Darling Downs Zoo from Brisbane?
About 145 km, about 2 hours 10 minutes by car.
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