Take a wonderful trip to the world down under! A newly refurbished lobby puts you right in the middle of the Australian outback, a place where plants and animals are exquisitely adapted to their amazing environment.
Begin the journey with a stop at a research station, just like the real one managed by Brookfield Zoo in Australia. For more than 30 years, the zoo’s scientists have been helping local people restore fragile ecosystems---especially those damaged by large sheep farms.
Princess parrots, crested pigeons, frilled lizards, and giant walking stick insects are among the animals to be found. Stop to watch a brightly colored emerald tree boa wind around a branch, a pair of echidnas nose about in their own dirt pile, and the wombats scurry for their burrow.
Enjoy a thrill as free-flying Rodriques fruit bats soar overhead and pause to hang upside down in true bat fashion. Keeper talks give guests a chance to learn more about these fascinating flying mammals and get a close-up look.
Outdoors, very large birds roam---no, these aren’t ostriches! Emus are dun-colored birds native only to Australia, and are the second largest bird species in the world. Of course no Australia exhibit would be complete without kangaroos. For a special view of the kangaroo mob, step onto the newly added overlook platform---and don’t forget to look for joeys, as baby kangaroos are known.
Many of the plants and animals of Australia are found no where else on Earth, so take a long walkabout to discover the wonders down under!
Southern hairy-nosed wombat
Echidna