shoalhaven zoo

I was not expecting much when taken here - but it was superb. The easiest and best way to understand and see Australian wildlife. This is the zoo where the keeper had his fingers bitten off by a saltwater crocodile six months ago (you can see it on YouTube). The talks were excellent and the staff clearly love their work and their animals. Its worth going to Nowra just to go to this zoo....highly recommended for families and indeed, anyone.

The park itself is neat and well maintained but lacks a lot of animals. The prices to get in are quite hefty when you consider this, but it is usually one of the few ways they can survive which is understood. The café had nice coffee and snack like food, and the service was okay.

If you're after lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), you will be disappointed in this zoo.There are some more 'exotic' animals such as the salt water crocodiles and the Capuchin monkeys (they're almost the size of pygmy marmosets), which will keep kids and families entertained more than your average local 'kangaroos and sheep' sort of place.This zoo has two main points of difference that will make you want to visit when you're in the area:1) The new Trees Adventure ropes/zipline courses (info is not on the zoo website, it's here: http://treesadventure.com.au/nowra-shoalhaven-park/). Plus there's a couple of walks you can do that start in the zoo, but there's no shortage of gorgeous walks you can do for free in the area, such as Ben's Walk.2) The local, hands-on friendly nature of the park. If you go on the weekend or during school holidays, there is a bit of a show and education lesson in addition to the regular feeding shows. The keepers bring out various animals - wombat, lizard, maybe half a dozen placid creatures in total - and as they're talked about, the audience around the enclosure can gently touch or hold whatever is being shown at the time.Sometimes on weekdays there is a smaller, shortened version of the demonstration in the koala enclosure. Snake, baby croc, baby wombat and such. If you're a local, it's worth the $35 annual pass just to support a local business and have an interesting setting for a coffee date every now and then.It does get a little humid and mosquito-crazy so close to the river in summer, so avoid the heat of the day and/or put on some repellant.One thing that does disappoint me a little is that I didn't see the cassowary in its enclosure the last time or two I went. I say only a little, because cassowaries are pretty scary. I am not at all disappointed that the emus didn't come near me in the area where you can walk around with the emus and kangaroos. There was a peacock that seemed angry that I was in his farm enclosure, but I think he's just heard about the time I accidentally scared (and was then set upon by) peacocks at another place.

A very nice little zoo that is not too busy so you can get close to the animal enclosures without fighting crowds. The enclosures are well constructed for the best viewing and the animals all seem very happy to be seen and fed. We didn't do the tree adventure but would love to go back to give it a try.

We visited the zoo with my cousin and her two young daughters. The staff at the admission counter where very helpful and courteous. The children loved playing on the big slide. The exhibits and shows are very interesting. The zoo is not spread over a large area which is good.

I love this place and it gets better every time we visit.The staff are friendly, the shows are very informative and if your lucky to see a show with Trent you'll have a ball. He is funny, great with the kids and you can see how passionate he is about the animals and the environment. Lots of animals to touch and hold and the new jnr zoo keeper program is awesome. Its great to find a place where you can bring your own food with you and sit back on the edge of the river and just relax.Cant wait to go back again.

The Shoalhaven Zoo is a privately owned family run business. In October last year Trees Adventure opened as a separated business who lease the land off the zoo. Trees Adventure staff at check-in give all trees customers a fluro vest and red wrist band to make sure they are separate to Zoo customers. All trees customers are given clear instructions and a map to follow to stick to the trees path and not to enter zoo grounds, as you are not allowed in the zoo if you haven't paid. There are continual signs for trees customers all the way along the river path. When trees customers do enter zoo grounds the staff and owners, do need to pull you up and ask you to follow the instructions you are given, when people are found doing the wrong thing we refer them to the trees adventure staff to address.

Not far from the CBD of Nowra was pleased with the counter staff upon arrival very friendly and helpful, We had our three young granddaughters with us who said it was great because their was a lot of hands on for them, we were greeted in one section by a friendly staff member who let the girls nurse the baby rabbits and spent time telling them about the rabbits, in the same area they had pigs, sheep and other animals you could get close to.Also have a lot of tree activities. Only one dislike was the road into the zoo is like a goat track very narrow and rough. overall very good and worth going to see.

We found a freebie at the info center, buy an adult ticket & get a child ticket free so it cost me $17. for my entry & I bought a bag of animal food for my son for $1. we walked around checked out all the animals, it was extremely hot, nice picnic areas, up the back there is a new tree adventure park, it was booked out due to school holidays ( we will go back & do it soon) it is not a part of the zoo thou it is seperate. Enjoyed an ice cream at the shop, highlight of the day thou, there's a huge slide near the office & I think the kids enjoyed it the best lol it is definitely worth a visit..we also got a photo with a wombat for $10. & the lady takes a great pic too. Do not go there expecting to see what you would at Taronga or the like it is only a small zoo!

We brought our 16 month daughter here the other day (which was very hot). There's a decent amount of shade but some exhibits had little to none like the crocodiles and monkeys which are feature shows. It was great that she was able to pet and interact with some cute animals. We got a nice picture with a joey ($10 extra) which I think my wife enjoyed more for holding it!There's lots for older kids to do and they don't have to be constantly supervised if you want a break. The tree climbing adventure looked well worth the money for kids and adults alike.Some tips: The toilets are at the entrance so use them before you end up at the other end.Purchase a bag of feed on the way in if you want to feed some animals.There are BBQ facilities if you wantYou can refill water bottles at the tree climb adventure area.Monkeys and Lamas are cute!

We spent the morning wandering the zoo with our visitors from Holland. We were lucky enough to be there on a quiet day and were the only ones at the wombat, koala and snake show which was great as we had a front row seat (we even got to nurse the baby wombats) Though they don't have all the exhibits of larger zoos, the staff are really friendly and knowledgeable and go out of their way to answer any questions. A great day out...

We spent the afternoon wandering the zoo. They don't have all the exhibits of larger zoos but the staff are really friendly and knowledgeable. We made it in time for the koala show which was really good. Unfortunately the heavens opened up before we made it right to the other end - but it was a blessing in disguise given the day was so hot!!

It's a nice little stop and explore if you are in the area, obviously not as good as a bigger place, but it's great for kids, friendly staff and a nice lunch spot. Good place for stopover en route up north or down south. The animals are well cared for, a good variety, and there are some good photo ops. I can't say i remember a lot as we had many family issues to deal with and this was great to get the child away from various dilemmas, but she enjoyed her day and it was nice to stop and enjoy the moment.

We visit my parents in Australia every few years and each time we come home , shoalhaven zoo is a must to return too. This is a brilliant family run zoo where you can touch, feed and have your photos with the animals. Our favourite part is the kangaroos and koalas . The shows are brilliant especially the crocodile feeding .Trent did a great job with all the animal shows. I highly recommend this zoo to anyone visiting the Nowra area. In my eyes this zoo is far better than taronga zoo in Sydney. Thanks for a great day out , see you again in a few years , I look forward to seeing the lions next visit

My son and I recieved vouchers for the Tree Tops Adventure at Nowra and it was brilliant, I'm 50 and my son 25 and we completed all the levels, we may wake up in the morning with a few sore muscles but worth every cent. Great value for money, great staff, great venue and we will do it again. Big thanks to Scott and the team. cheers Dennis & Jake