Alma Park Zoo facts for kids

Alma Park Zoo was a 40-acre (16 ha) zoo located north of Brisbane, Australia, in Dakabin on Alma Road. The small 20-acre (8.1 ha) park was filled with Australian and exotic species. Alma Park Zoo was the first zoo to open in Queensland and was the oldest zoo in Queensland.

The zoo was owned by Bill Williams who also owned a business called WW Shock Absorbers, but was built by workers, led by Leroy Pidgeon, who lived with his family in the caretakers cottage in the zoo at the time.

Leroy also recovered, transported and replanted many of the mature palm trees that were a statement of the zoo. These came from older farm blocks around Brisbane that were being sub divided in the early 1970s period and Bill Williams had struck deals to acquire them.

The zoo closed on 31 March 2014 and many of the animals were transferred to Queensland Zoo. There were plans for the zoo to open in Logan; however this plan was cancelled in May 2015.

Alma Park Zoo was open every day from 9am to 4pm, excluding Christmas Day and reduced hours on ANZAC Day (25 April).

Features

Alma Park Zoo was fully landscaped with walking paths through tropical gardens under a canopy of rainforest trees and plants. A number of enclosures were walkthrough, such as the wallaby and kangaroo enclosures.

Koalas, snakes and crocodiles could be patted and guests also had the opportunity to be photographed with these animals. There was a cafe with souvenirs and guests were provided free use of the onsite gas barbecues to cook picnic lunches.

Lemur island

Lemur island was a tropical based place in the northern part of the zoo. It had a wooden cabin to protect the lemurs from bad weather conditions such as rain.

Reptiles could be also found on the island such as tortoises and eastern water dragons.