Photos are not included with this encounter but you are more than welcome to take some with your own phone or camera.
All encounters are subject to availability.
All participants must follow all instructions given by Halls Gap Zoo staff, failure to do so may result in a shortened session.
Participants may be asked to cease the encounter at any time for whatever reason at Zoo staff’s discretion.
Animals respond in different ways to different people and external factors, we cannot control this and experiences may vary.
Refunds for encounters will only be given if cancellation is at least 48 hours before the day of the encounter with no exceptions.
For a cancellation for encounters with more than 48hrs notice from the day of encounter, the options are rescheduling, within three years from the original date of booking, or a refund less a $15 admin fee
Encounter is subject to weather conditions being suitable.
🐓 All domestic Chickens evolved from Jungle Fowl. Like Dogs did from Wolfs.
🐓 Junglefowls are omnivores feeding mainly on seeds, roots, fruits and invertebrates.
🐓 Jungle fowl perform a coutship behaviour known as tidbitting, in which the male will repeatedly pick up and drop food before offering it to the female.
Come down and see how many Jungle Fowl chicks you can spot. Tickets avaliable on our website now.
Merry Christmas to you all, the whole Zoo crew wish you a day filled with laughter, friends and family.
Our keepers have been working as hard as Santa’s elves by creating enrichment to share their favourite holiday traditions with their animals. How many do you recognise? 🎁🎄🍪 What’s your favourite tradition when the season rolls around?
We hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas Day with your loved ones! We will see you back at the Zoo on Boxing Day (open 10am-5pm).
Shhh… 🤫 We’ve been keeping a secret… and it’s very good at blending in 👀💚
Keepers are sooo excited to announce that our fossil cave is now home to a Chameleon and a Green Tree Python You might not spot them straight away but trust us, they’re here and they are stunning 😍 keepers and volunteers have done an incredible job on their enclosures. Keep your eyes peeled on your next visit✨
It’s a….Quokka We are hopping with excitement to introduce Rooster our new male Quokka who has come to us as part of the breeding program. Stay tuned for cuteness overload as Ember and Rooster start getting to know each other.
Todays Fast Fact Friday is all about Green Iguanas!
🦎 Green Iguanas can voluntarily drop their tails in order to escape predators. This is known as caudual autonomy.
🦎 Green Iguanas are able to leap down from trees that are 15 meters tall without injury! Their bodys are built to absorb the shock, utilising their back legs to grab onto tree branches to lessen the fall.
🦎 Green Iguanas will extend the flap of skin underneath their chin, known as a dulap, as a form of non-verbal communication. Their dulap is used to thermoregulate, ward off predators and to impress the ladies.
Come down today to meet Shrek, our resident Green Iguana, in person. Book your tickets on our website now!
The Festive Season is all about Family. Make some special memories this holidays here at Halls Gap Zoo. 👨👩👧👦👪👩👦
Explore our magical property set in the heart of the Grampians National Park where you will see many wild native species as well as over 120 different species from all around the world, ranging from our largest, the Southern White Rhino, to our smallest, Australia`s own Green Tree Frog. 🎄🎁🎅
🦎 Lace monitors are the second largest lizard in Australia after the Perentie.
🦎 Lace monitors come in 2 different colour forms; standard and bells phase. Bells phase lace monitors have thick yellow and black bands.
🦎 Lace monitors lay their eggs inside termite mounds. This helps to incubate the eggs before the mother comes back to dig them up when they hatch.
Did you know that all monitors in the world are related! They are all in the same genus, Varanus. Check out three different iconic Australian Monitors here at the Zoo, the Lace Monitor, the Heath Monitor and the Largest Monitor in Australia, the Perentie!
Did anyone tell you it’s almost December 🙀🎄🎅 Buy the kids something they’ll really remember…. Voucher available online https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/shop/gift-voucher/ #hallsgapzoo #visitmelbourne #visitgrampians
You guys asked for it and here it is- a toy version of Pumba our Scottish highland bull and it’s already stealing hearts 💕
Even though Pumba is a big strong boy and we thought he would love it turns out there’s only room for one Pumba at the zoo but that’s ok this soft, squishy and full of charm replica is the perfect cuddle buddy for all cattle lovers out there.
Grab yours before they all wonder off the shelf! #hallsgapzoo #scottishhighland #grampians
Burmese pythons: 🐍 They can get up to 5m long and over 75kg 🐍 They are great swimmers and can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes 🐍 Being pythons they do not have venom and will kill their prey by constricting them.
We have 2 Burmese Pythons here at Halls Gap Zoo and in the summer months you may be lucky enough to see us take Doug out for a walk and truly get an appreciation for his size even though he is only a tiny 35kg he still takes at least 3 keepers to carry him.
📢 Early Closure Notice We are closing early today for staff training to help our team continue providing the best possible service to you. The Zoo will be open from 10am until 4.15pm on the 12th November.
We will reopen at our regular hours tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding and continued support!
Treat yourself with a magical experience up close and personal with our Otters here at Halls Gap Zoo!
Tong feed our girls their lunch and learn from our experienced carnivore keepers during an Otter Encounter. If you’re lucky enough you might get the chance to hold their hands, they’re softer than you can imagine!
Book now at: https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/shop/otter-encounter/
👻🎃 Don’t let those sweet faces fool you… Our Otters have a spooky side! 😱🦦 When the lights go down, they turn into tiny water goblins sneaking, splashing and plotting their next fright for keepers! Are they cute? Always. Are they spooky? For keepers walking into work…everyday but for guests just enough for Halloween. 🎃
Happy Halloween from our hauntingly adorable otters!
🌧️ Rainy Days at the Zoo 🌧️ While the rain might send most people indoors life at the zoo carries on but we are just a little soggier! ☔ Some of our animals actually enjoy a good drizzle eg. The Water Buffalo make sure the job gets done properly while others enjoy it from the comfort of their shelter.
For the zookeepers, rainy days mean a bit more mud on the boots and suddenly everyone needs to read SOP’s 🤪 They make sure everyone stays cozy and well fed and that all the shelters are snug and dry. So even when the rain pours, there’s always plenty of life and laughter behind the scenes at the zoo!
Spring is well under way here at the Zoo with so many new cute little faces!
Pack yourself a lunch and come and enjoy the weather. See how many babies you can spot. How cute are these baby Chinese Geese Goslings and Jungle Fowl Chicks!
It’s official, the votes are in! After much deliberation, we have agreed on the names for our new baby Indian Star Tortoises and Himalayan Tahr… We’d like to thank everyone who commented on our recent facebook posts and joined in during the baby shower, we have loved all the suggestions.
We are delighted to introduce you to Terrance, Jharal and Marcous our Himalayan Tahr and Tortellini, Voldertort and Speedy our Indian Star Tortoises
🪶 Ok… who blinked and let these guys grow up so quick?! 👀 Our baby emus aren’t so little anymore and we can’t believe how fast they’ve grown, come and see them these school holidays before they loose their adorable stripes and if your lucky enough they may even come over for some food (food available at the front desk).
🐾🎉 It’s International Red Panda Day and what better way to celebrate than by booking an encounter to meet one our very own dynamic duo! With fluffy tails, little paws, and endless charm, our Red Pandas are ready to steal your heart (and maybe a snack or two). 🌟💕
Trust us when we say this is one encounter you will not forget. #hallsgapzoo #encounter #redpanda #schoolholidays #experiences
Say hello to our newest additions. We recently welcomed 3 new young Tahr who have settled in well with our 2 older boys. Aren’t they just adorable? 🥰 They are still yet to be named so if you have a suggestion leave a comment below 👇
🌧️ Father’s Day is almost here! While the forecast is looking a little gloomy for Sunday, why not make the most of the sunshine beforehand and plan your visit for Saturday? ☀️🐾 Bring Dad along for an adventure at the zoo this weekend it’s the perfect way to spend quality time together before the weather turns. And if you’re still looking for the ultimate gift, our animal encounters make an unforgettable present that Dad will never forget. 🦏🦒🐆🐍 🎟️ Book your encounters now and give Dad a wild experience this Father’s Day! #hallsgapzoo #fathersday #familyday #encounter #presentfordad
How amazing is it that we get to inspire the next generation of zookeepers, it is a good reminder that the love for animals and conservation starts early. Don’t they look the part all dressed up for book week at school 🥰
Check out our Zoo Keeper for a day program to see what a day looks like for our Zookeepers and get up close to a range of different species.
🐾 Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a zookeeper? 🦓🦒🐒 Now’s your chance! Drop your questions for our amazing zookeepers in the comments below ⬇️ They’ll be answering everything from fun animal facts to what a day in the life of a keeper looks like. What have you always wanted to know?
We will video our keepers answering your questions and post it in the coming weeks.
How good was that rain?? Our dams are actual dams and no longer holes in the ground BUT this weekend is looking to be nothing but gorgeous winter sunshine 🌞 the animals are sure to be out and about sunning themselves so pop in and say hello maybe even book that encounter you’ve been wanting to do and enjoy spending the day out of the house as we all know that sunshine + animals= The perfect day Book now via our website (link in our bio)
🦘 As the name would suggest, these wallabies live in shrubbed areas close to rocks and cliffs, which they will escape to when hiding from predators.
🦘The southern brush-tailed rock wallaby is critically endangered. Victoria has roughly 50 individuals left in the wild. In 2008 a few individuals were reintroduced back into the wild in the Grampians National Park and are closely monitored.
🦘Brush-tailed rock wallabies live in groups with one male and many females. When a male joey is born, it will live with the group until maturity and then disperse to find a new group.
We have 10 Brush Tailed Rock Wallabies here at Halls Gap Zoo and they are amazing at hiding in their rocky habitat try to spot them all next time you are visiting.
Just a reminder that our food van is open everyday of the school holidays from 10am-2pm, grab your coffee or hot chocolate to sip on and keep you warm on these winter days as you walk around the zoo.
