Monarto Zoological Park is a natural wilderness sanctuary and open range zoological park, combined in a centre for conservation and enjoyment of wildlife and nature.

All tours depart regularly from the Visitor Centre in the Park, which is accessed from the main entrance on the Princes Highway, and is well sign posted. The first Safari Bus Tour departs at 10:30 am , and then tours leave at regular intervals until the last tour at 3:30pm. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the departure of tours. The multi-award winning Visitor Centre has excellent facilities for use by visitors, including a nature discovery gallery, gift shop and a café-style bistro which provides light meals and refreshments.

There are two ways of viewing the Park, both providing different but complementary experiences.

 SAFARI BUS TOURS

Bus tours of the 1000 ha Park take visitors through African and Asian wildlife habitat areas, where herds of exotic, grassland dwelling animals like giraffe, cheetah, zebra, antelope and ostrich can be seen at close proximity.

Endangered species, including the Przewalski's or Mongolian wild horse and the Scimitar oryx, are important features of the Park. Information on the conservation of these species, and of wildlife and nature generally, is provided during the tour by trained volunteer guides.

WALKING TRAILS

Visitors can also join interpretative guides and walk along the nature trails that offer opportunities to experience the beauty of the mallee woodland habitat, and to see the abundant native bird life and other wildlife in the area. The Park is a protected nature sanctuary with diverse and fascinating fauna and flora.

FEES

Entry fees are:

• $24.00 / adult
• $14.00 / child (4 - 14 years)
• $18.00 / concession 
  (pensioners, senior, unemployed and student with card)
• Children under 4 years are free
• Family concession $65.00
  (Includes 2 adults and up to 3 children (4-14 years) 
• Group Adults (15-99 people in own bus) $16pp
• Group Children (15-99 people in own bus) $9pp
• Group Concession (15-99 people in own bus) $16pp
  
  (Fees are valid from Mon 2 July 2007)

Visitors can join the Royal Zoological Society of SA Inc., which includes free admission to Monarto Zoological Park, Adelaide Zoo and most other major zoos in Australia. Please inquire for further information.

Entry fees include a one hour guided safari-bus tour of the Park, and also allow visitors to walk on the nature trails with a guide and to use the other recreational facilities at the Park.

GROUP TOURS AND FACILITIES
(Bookings two weeks in advance essential)

For excursion groups wanting to see Monarto Zoological Park, arrangements for pre-booked group tours can be made by contacting the Tours Coordinator on 
(08) 8534 4100. Group rates are available on entry. 
Catering for breakfast, lunch or dinner is available on request.

Social clubs and school group tours are welcome. Good facilities , including shelters, picnic, areas and toilets (including facilities for the disabled) are available at the Visitor Centre. Catering for groups, conferences or special functions can be provided on request. Excursion tour operators are, in most cases, able to use their own buses and drivers to travel around the Park with a Guide stepping on board to conduct the tour.

Pre-booked tours of the Park for groups of 15 or more than people can be 
conducted between 10.00am and 3.00pm on any day.

Excursion groups, clubs and school groups are welcome.

All groups are by bus, the hire of which should be arranged by the group concerned. Information on bus tour companies can be obtained from the Park. Groups without a bus can join a regular tour aboard one of the Park's safari buses at normal entry fees.

The tours are conducted by trained volunteer Monarto Guides, who will meet the group at the Visitor Centre and provide informative and enjoyable interpretation during the tour of the Park. Tours last approximately 1 hour a booked guided walk on one of the park's nature trails is an optional addition.

Groups wishing to have morning tea / picnic lunch at the Park, our Pavilion is available for use. The Pavilion is situated ˝ way through the tour. Please advise if this facility is required at time of booking.

Admission prices (excluding the cost of the bus) are:

Groups of more than 15 people (own bus only):

• $12.00 adult
• $ 7.00 child (4 - 14 years)
  (Conditions apply)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please be aware of the following:

• the Park is a disabled friendly facility
• guide dogs and dogs for the hearing impaired are permitted
• dogs and other pets are not permitted as the Park is a quarantine area
• fires & BBQ's are not permitted and smoking is restricted within the Park
• the Park may close on days of extreme fire danger.

LOCATION

Monarto Zoological Park is located 70km east of Adelaide near Murray Bridge. Directions to the Park are easy:

• from Adelaide take the Monarto exit off the South Eastern Freeway to the Princes Highway and follow the signs.
  
• from the east take the Murray Bridge exit off the South Eastern Freeway to the Princes Highway and follow the signs

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Telephone the Park on (08) 8534 4100,
Facsimile (08) 8534 4077

or write to :

Monarto Zoological Park
Princes Highway
MONARTO SA 5254

MONARTO VISITOR CENTRE

Environmental Initiatives At The Visitor Centre

The new Visitor Centre at the Monarto Zoological Park has been developed with a strong environmental ethic and incorporates strategies to minimize energy consumption and damage to the natural environment, including

• Utilisation of Subsidence Towers for cooling
• Use of recycled timber
• Construction
• Water Management
• Waste Water Treatment

The Architects and Builders of the Monarto Visitor Centre have already received awards for the Centre's unique design and construction. The Centre was recently awarded a South Australian Master Builders Award and also received 3 Awards by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

The Architects for the Monarto Visitor Centre are Phillips & Pilkington Architects, and the builders, Mario Minuzzo Builders Pty. Ltd.

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