Wildlife HQ at the Big Pineapple

Have you been to Wildlife HQ at the Big Pineapple yet? No longer just the site of an iconic heritage-listed landmark, for the last five years, The Big Pineapple, has also shared its surrounding lush terrain with one of the best, yet little-known zoos our state has to offer. 

If you haven’t heard of it, Wildlife HQ is its name and it is just as impressive as the tropical giant that famously marks its entrance.

Wildlife HQ – How it all began

In 2014, after 45 years of operation, the doors to Alma Park Zoo, on Brisbane’s Northside closed. On hearing of the closure, Julie Seabrook and her dedicated team of zookeepers relocated and built a new zoo for the animals at the iconic Big Pineapple. 

Years later and Wildlife HQ is now home to over 250 Australian and exotic animal species, is FAA accredited and is involved in a number of national endangered species management and breeding programs.

Zoo/Train Tickets

If you are looking to buy tickets for the zoo, there are two options – buy your tickets online or purchase them on the day at the ticket office. 

The ticket office is now located beside The Big Pineapple, which is where you will also park and enter the zoo. 

If you are wanting to buy a combo ticket, which includes a train ride and zoo entry, you can only do this at The Big Pineapple ticket office. You are also able to just purchase tickets for a train ride. 

The train generally leaves every half hour, but please note that during busy periods a return train trip may not be guaranteed. Due to the nature of the track, the train may not run in inclement weather. 

When in operation, the train does a loop through and around the zoo, the only station you need to access the zoo is Koala Station in the centre.  From here you can either take the pathway right, walking through the rainforest to all of the Australian animals, Reptile house and Lemur Island or left to all of the other animals.

The Layout

Entry to Wildlife HQ changed a little in September 2024. The lower carpark and entrance is now closed, with the main entry point being via The Big Pineapple. This is where you will find the carpark, ticket office and train station. 

If you have not paid for a train ticket to take you to and from the zoo, you can utilise the pathway and take the short walk from the ticket office to the entry. This is a paved pathway, suitable for prams and wheelchairs, though there is a slight incline/decline in one section, so care should be taken when approaching this section. 

When you arrive at the zoo you will find it is spread out generously over the beautiful, tropical grounds, with various sections based on the animal origins including African Plains, South American Trail, Asian Rainforest and Lemur Island.  There is also the Reptile House, Nocturnal House and Australian animal sections. 

Although the pathways can be a little undulating, they are wide and easy to navigate.  

Note: The zoo actually moves the animals around regularly to different exhibit spaces for a change of scenery, which means maps are regularly re-printed to accommodate the new locations so make sure you get a printed one on arrival or check online for an updated version. 

The Animals at Wildlife HQ

Clearly the main attraction and the reason for our visit, the inhabitants of Wildlife HQ definitely don’t disappoint.  Home to over 250 animals from around the world and boasting one of the largest collections of primates in Queensland, Wildlife HQ is also home to Queensland’s only Sun Bear, Maly.

Each section offers spacious and playful enclosures which enable visitors to get right up close to the animals.  In the Australian section you will find all the favourites within easy viewing access.  The koalas, dingo, Tasmania devil and kookaburras are all here with the emu and kangaroos out in the open.  This was very exciting for the little ones as we found ourselves walking alongside some very tame emus (they even let us pat them) and sitting beside some super friendly kangaroos too.

Also popular were the more exotic areas like the Asian Rainforest with its African Wild Dogs, Sun Bear, Red Panda, Lemurs and Baboons.  The Sun Bear, Maly, is the only one in Queensland and we found the talk on her and how she arrived in the zoo extremely interesting.

Lemur Island, situated in the middle of a large lagoon filled with curious turtles (keep an eye out for these), is a new addition and both the reptile house and nocturnal house were full interesting creatures.

By far the biggest attraction for my kids were the playful meerkats and the huge range of adorable mini monkeys (South American Trail).  From the Cotton Top and Emperor Tamarins to the Marmosets – we loved them all.  

Animal Encounters at Wildlife HQ

Although the zoo is set up in a way that visitors can get pretty close to most of the animals, for some the chance to actually hold or touch one personally is something that is too good to miss out on. 

For this reason, Wildlife HQ offers a number of animal encounters which you can book on arrival (and some in advance online) and the best part is they will take photos for you on your own camera or phone!

While getting up close with the animals, patting and feeding them and getting your photos taken with them is wonderful, it is also a good time to find out some extra information about your chosen animal and ask the keepers those questions you have always wanted to know the answer to!

Animals which encounters can be booked for sometimes change so be sure to check the Wildlife HQ website for current details. 

Animals which you can usually book encounter for include:

Aussie Animal Encounters

Koala, Quokka, Sugar Glider, Dingo 

Asian Animal Encounters

Red Panda (winter only), Binturong 

African Animal Encounters

Meerkats, Lemurs 

South American Animal Encounters

Capybara, Cotton Top Tamarin, Emperor Tamarin, Marmoset, Squirrel monkey

Please note – As with any animal experience they are some rules and guidelines which guests must adhere to. These may include age limits, participant limitations, and dress code – so please check before booking to avoid disappointment. 

Tips to make the most of your visit 

• Head to Wildlife HQ early if you can. The zoo is open daily from 9am – 4pm (last entry at 3pm). Although the zoo size is very manageable in that time frame, there are special feeding and presentation times and these all happen earlier in the day. 
• Consider packing your own lunch and enjoy at any one of the shady picnic tables. There is a cafe onsite where you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee, ice-creams, cold drinks and snacks. 
• Pack insect repellent. The tropical nature of the zoo means you will be sharing the space with shade-loving mosquitoes. 

Parents Will Love 

• The zoo is spacious and clean and the staff are extremely friendly
• Wildlife HQ is an affordable Queensland Zoo with ticket pricing well below similar destinations
• It is the perfect sized park for little ones to get around without becoming too exhausted.
• It is nice and shady in the majority of the park
• If you invest in a wildlife encounter, you can use your own camera to capture the moment

Kids Will Love 

• The tiny monkeys and the big primates
• A train ride (when in operation)
• Wildlife shows
• The promise of ice cream at the end

Whilst the zoo is not the biggest, the grounds are breathtaking, the animals all appear well cared for and happy and the range of creatures you can find here is impressive.

We would definitely recommend a day out at Wildlife HQ.  It is a perfect zoo for the littlest of people, with the animals all very accessible and close and the zoo itself easy to navigate in half a day if that is all you have (or smaller kids can handle). 

Wildlife HQ is open 7 days a week, with last entry to the zoo at 3 pm. A variety of passes are available, including day passes and annual tickets so you can return whenever you want.

For more information on what the park has to offer as well as ticket prices, you can head to their website here.

The Big Pineapple 

Allow a little time at the start (or the end) of your visit to check out the newly renovated Big Pineapple.

The Big Pineapple has long been a favourite stop for families wanting to visit a ‘big thing’ and snap a pic of the giant yellow fruit. After many years in the sun, the Big Pineapple was looking a little worse for wear and recently (2024) received a much needed makeover. 

As of December 2024, visitors can now enjoy a 20 minute tour inside the air conditioned Big Pineapple. Paid tickets are required, with tours exploring the history the Queensland icon. Tickets available from the ticket office on arrival, with tours occurring every 30 minutes. 

Visitors can pop in and take a picture of the Big Pineapple and grab a snack or drink from the cafe, pick up a souvenir from the gift shop or have a play at the small playground (suitable for young children). 

To enhance your visit at the Big Pineapple you can climb aboard the new ‘Pine Mobile,’ a 14-seater eco friendly buggy, which tours the grounds. Following the old nut mobile route, the tour takes you through the rainforest, past Sunshine & Sons and the Treetop Challenge before returning back to the kiosk. Tickets required. 

TreeTop Challenge and Big Macadamia

You can find the giant macadamia nut beside the Big Pineapple, with its own designated carpark. It is also home to the TreeTop Challenge and zip line.

The TreeTop Challenge is a four hour course that is recommended for those 8 years and above (there is also a height restriction), you can find out all you need to know about this attraction here.

Alternatively if you just want a photo, wander down the path from the Big Pineapple and you will spot it through the trees. 

How to Get to Wildlife HQ

Wildlife HQ is located within the grounds of the Big Pineapple, at 76 Nambour Connection Road in Woombye.

There is ample off-street parking, in multiple locations. The main carpark is right near the Big Pineapple, while an overflow carpark can be found on the opposite side of the road. Access from the overflow carpark to the Big Pineapple/Wildlife HQ entrance is via an overpass.

**Note: as of September 2024 zoo entrance and car parking has changed as is now only via The Big Pineapple area. **

If you were looking to utilise public transport, the local Translink bus service stops right outside the Big Pineapple. 

More Photos of Wildlife HQ

Please check the Wildlife HQ website before your visit to plan your day.