Monarto Safari Park’s new Visitor Centre to open on 25th March 2022

Monarto Safari Park’s new Visitor Centre will open on 25th March 2022 offering guests new "wild" ways to experience Australian natives and some of the great African land mammals.

Housing a cafe with breathtaking vistas over the park, a large and airy retail space and a playground, a trip to Monarto Safari Park’s Visitor Centre becomes a destination in its own right

Elaine Bensted, Chief Executive of Zoos SA enthuses “the wait is over and now we can’t wait to share our new Visitor Centre with our members and visitors.

“The building is absolutely stunning and fitting for such an exciting and inspiring place that is the wild home of the conservation of African and Australian animals.

“The new Visitor Centre will welcome more visitors than ever before yet still retain that spacious feeling that we love about Monarto. The shop, cafe and play area all have that indoor yet outdoor feel and the view is simply spectacular.

“We are delighted with the work that builders Mossop Construction + Interiors and architects Intro and StudioGram have produced and can’t wait to show it off to our members at our exclusive opening days before opening to all on 25th March.”

Bensted adds “For the first time, the Visitor Centre becomes a destination in its own right so we hope that locals will enjoy coming for a coffee, while enjoying the great view and kids’ play space.

“As an accessible to all site, we can’t wait to welcome you. Please make sure to book online before visiting as we expect to be busy!”

The Visitor Centre project received $11.25 million of funding from the Australian Government and $4.55 million from the State Government towards a total $16.8 million cost of building the new entry and Visitor Centre.

The Rural City of Murray Bridge also contributed to the project through the construction of a new slip lane entry from Monarto Road.

As a conservation charity, every visit to Monarto Safari Park helps to fund the vital work that is undertaken to save animals from extinction.

As well as caring for the 50 species at Monarto Safari Park through breeding programs and insurance populations, Zoos SA’s conservation teams assist and partner with fellow conservation groups and projects around Australia and the world.

Relax in the wild
Housing a cafe with breathtaking vistas over the park, a large and airy retail space and a playground, a trip to Monarto Safari Park’s Visitor Centre becomes a destination in its own right. Visitors can park up and enter the new spacious Visitor Centre to buy tickets, animal experiences, food and beverage and merchandise before boarding the bus and starting their exploration. Now, for the first time, a trip to Monarto Safari Park can be for a whole day or just an hour or two. The new Visitor Centre offers a meeting place for those travelling from Murray Bridge, Strathalbyn, the Adelaide Hills or the city.

Walk in the wild
Breathe in the fresh air, stretch your legs and explore the open plains of Monarto Safari Park and its abundant flora and fauna. With 12kms of walking trails between the new Visitor Centre and the animal viewing platforms, visitors can walk the entire trail or combine a walk with the bus. The majority of the walking trails are accessible for robust pushers and wheelchairs and are sign posted throughout. Stop on the way to rest, relax and picnic before continuing. Absorb your surroundings, the sounds of birds and even the roar of nearby lions.

Explore the wild
Come face to face with a giraffe, feel the roars of a lion reverberate through your chest and see a rhino crash roam and wallow. A visit to Monarto Safari Park brings species and their stories to life, inspiring visitors to work with Zoos SA conservation efforts. With over 50 species of native and African animals roaming the plains of Monarto, a visit not only captures your interest but your imagination and desire to support the conservation work that is carried out in South Australia, Australia and the world.

Learn in the wild
As they form such close bonds with the animals they care for, Monarto Safari Park’s keepers are passionate storytellers who will engage the young and old and bring about a greater understanding of the species and their plight in the wild. Through a mix of keeper talks, interpretive signage and play, visitors will enjoy a day learning all about the native and African animals that call Monarto Safari Park home and leave with a thirst to learn more!

Experience the wild
Take the walk of the brave at Lions 360, hand-feed a giraffe, and feel between the folds of a Southern White Rhino’s skin. Animal experiences at Monarto Safari Park put you within a whisker of some of the world’s most fascinating and, at times, ferocious animals. Just as with their day-to-day care, all of the experiences are uniquely designed with animal welfare leading the way and are positioned so even the youngest of visitors can take part and experience the wild.

Monarto Safari Park also now has a number of nature-inspired play areas for children. 

Visits to Monarto Safari Park can be booked at www.monartosafaripark.com.au/tickets.