If you didn’t realise that staying at the zoo could be a luxurious event, think again! You may not have even known that some zoos have overnight accommodations, but these ones really represent the top of the line in glamping or luxury accommodations. You’ll feel like you’re king of the zoo at these five Australian zoo sleepovers: the Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra, the Roar & Snore at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, Slumber Safari at the Werribee Open Range Zoo, and the Roar ‘n’ Snore at the Melbourne Zoo.
#1 Slumber Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo
The Werribee Open Range Zoo is located in Victoria, not far from the city of Melbourne. The Werribee Zoo Slumber Safari gives you two days of access to the zoo. There is an African-inspired dinner at night after your first day at the zoo and then a buffet breakfast in the morning before your second day to explore the open range. The accommodations are luxury campsites with tented lodges with en-suite bathrooms, fans, and electric blankets. Overnight explorers also get a fully hosted safari experience, animal encounter and exclusive animal viewing opportunities. Guest also receive special discounts at the Village Trader Zoo Shop and on Wild Encounters.
#2 Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra
The Jamala Wildlife Lodge features the ultimate in luxury accommodations right alongside some of the zoo’s residents. It is located in the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers dining options, swimming pools, and has three different types of accommodations. Each one allows you to stay right next to the animals and even interact with some of them:
The Giraffe Tree Houses: a private enclosure with six suites. The balcony overlooks the Molonglo River and the giraffe enclosure. If you are lucky you might have a guest join you for breakfast!
The Jungle Bungalows: five suites that are connected, but safely separated from different dangerous wildlife enclosures.
The uShaka Lodge: seven suites where you will have a shark tank in your lounge room and monkeys right on the terrace.
We might just stick to the giraffes!
#3 Sydney’s Taronga Zoo Roar & Snore
4,000 animals call this zoo home, and you can count yourself among them for a night! The Taronga Zoo Roar & Snore is a sleepover event that starts in the evening with snacks and a chance to meet some of the zoo’s friendliest animals. Next is a buffet dinner at one of the best vantage points overlooking Sydney. Once dessert, tea, and coffee are finished, then it’s time to head to your zoo safari tent accommodations. Your next day at the zoo starts with a continental breakfast, after which is a special behind-the-scenes tour, then visitors are free to spend the day at the zoo at your leisure.
The Sydney Zoo is located right in the Mosman section of Sydney and is an impressively large zoo on 21 hectares of land so close to the city. In fact, you can see the magnificent views of Sydney’s cityscape and Sydney Harbour from some of the vantage points at the zoo.
#4 The Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW
The Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales is the sister zoo of the Taronga Zoo in Sydney and houses all of the larger plain animals. Here you will see animals like rhinos, antelopes, giraffes, and elephants living in the natural bushland habitat in Dubbo. The Western Plains Zoo has three different overnight adventures you can participate in.
The Zoofari Lodge: A newly renovated luxury safari experience African-inspired lodge-type accommodations that are located right on the edge of the Savannah exhibit, where giraffes and antelope roam freely outside the lodge. The Savannah Cabins: family cabins also at the Savannah exhibit that can sleep up to six people. The Billabong Camp: Tents where you can sleep under the stars and enjoy the great outdoors and the animals too.
#5 Roar ‘n’ Snore at the Melbourne Zoo
The Melbourne Zoo has a Roar ‘n’ Snore overnight stay that allows you to be close to the animals at the zoo all day and all night. The accommodations are in the renovated elephant exhibit that was originally built in the 1940’s. The accommodations are luxury tent-style and the event includes dinner, supper, and breakfast plus admission to the zoo the following day.
Caution: wanderlust ahead.
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