Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide (must see)

Adelaide Zoo, Australia's second oldest zoo, was established in 1883 and is located in the parklands just north of Adelaide's city center in South Australia. Spanning 8 hectares (20 acres), Adelaide Zoo is home to around 2,500 animals representing 250 native and exotic species. The zoo is renowned for its immersive exhibits, particularly the Southeast Asia exhibit known as Immersion, which allows visitors to experience a simulated jungle environment with Sumatran tigers and orangutans. The zoo's focus on species from the Gondwana supercontinent is reflected in its themed exhibits, which highlight the botanical and faunal connections between regions like South America, India, Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia.

Among its many attractions, Adelaide Zoo features Australia's only breeding pair of giant pandas, Wang Wang and Funi, housed in a dedicated exhibit that opened in December 2009. This exhibit has been a significant draw for visitors, with the pandas expected to remain at the zoo until at least 2024.

The zoo is not only an animal sanctuary but also a botanical garden, featuring significant exotic and native flora, including a Moreton Bay fig tree planted in 1877. Several buildings within the zoo, such as the front entrance on Frome Road and the former Elephant House, are listed as state heritage places on the South Australian Heritage Register, underscoring the zoo's historical significance.

Adelaide Zoo has a long-standing reputation for its bird collection, although Australia's strict importation and quarantine laws pose challenges to maintaining genetically viable populations of many exotic species. The zoo continues to enhance its educational offerings, with programs for all age groups, including interactive tours, a large children's zoo, and specialized educational facilities like the Envirodome, which opened in 2009. These initiatives underscore the zoo's commitment to conservation and education, making it a beloved institution in South Australia.