VISITOR INFORMATION FOR TERTIARY GROUPS

Hamilton Zoo is open from 9:30am to 4.30pm; last admissions at 3:30pm.  If you would like your group to arrive earlier than 9:30am please contact the education team and discuss the options.

COST

The group total cost must be paid in one amount. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or credit card (we do not accept American Express or Diners Club) or we are able to invoice your institutions (we require at least four working days advance notice for this option).

Concession rates are available – please contact us for further information.

Annual memberships, special offers or promotions can not be used in conjunction with a concession tertiary visit. For non-contact (institution tutor-led) observation on Zoo grounds normal zoo entry rates will apply.

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

The Education Team can help you organise your visit to Hamilton Zoo. Please contact us to discuss options to meet your needs and organise a tutor pre-visit if you require one.

We can assist you in planning your unit. We have a range of resources available. Some of these are available here but we also have other resources and web pages that we can refer you to for more information on your chosen focus. By contacting the education team we can help you decide what will work best for you. 

You might consider attending our ‘Meet the Keeper’ talks. These are free to the public and keepers will talk about specific animals and are available to answer questions. By looking at the schedule you will be able to plan your day around these. Please let the Education Team know if there is a specific one you would like your group to attend. This way we can ensure keepers are prepared for larger groups. 

For an additional cost we also offer booked animal encounters. These are an extra cost to the entry rate. They are keeper-led behind the scenes encounters where your students will get up close and personal with one of our animals. Contact us for more information about what encounters we have available. The cost is $125 for a group of five people or less; additional people at $25 per person.  Please let us know at least two weeks prior to your visit if you are interested in booking an encounter.

Once the education team has received your booking form then we will be able to confirm your booking.
 

PRIOR TO VISIT

We provide a limited number of free maps at Hamilton Zoo but we do encourage people to use and then recycle these. There are maps situated around the zoo and a copy can be printed from here.

Safety at the Zoo

First aid supplies are available at Reception. Most Zoo staff are trained to assist with minor medical problems. If someone has an accident or near-miss a zoo accident pack needs to be completed.

Please have a list of all students in the group as this will be essential in an emergency (e.g. evacuation of the Zoo) in marking everyone off at the assembly point in the car park.

Please encourage students to move quietly at a walking pace around the zoo, keeping together and being considerate of other patrons.
 

ON ARRIVAL

Upon arrival we ask that one tutor sees the receptionist and provides them with the final numbers. If an education visit has been booked your educator will meet you at reception. Rather than gathering in the car park, students may be escorted through to the cafe/playground area while one teacher is at reception.

It takes about 2 hours to get around the zoo.
 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Food

Toilets

Lockers