If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to get up close to a red panda, the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter gives you the chance to meet one of these incredibly fluffy animals inside their enclosure.
We booked the encounter as a birthday surprise for my red panda-obsessed daughter, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our day at Australia Zoo. But it’s not a cheap add-on to your zoo visit, so is the Red Panda Encounter actually worth the money?
Below, I’ll take you through our experience, what happens during the encounter and what we thought of it, along with the latest information on prices, age limits, photos and what you need to know before booking.
Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter at a glance
If you’re considering booking the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter, here are the key details you need to know:
| Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter | |
|---|---|
| Price | $134 per person |
| Encounter time | 9:00 am |
| Recommended arrival | 8:30 am |
| Minimum age | 8 years |
| Group size | Maximum 4 people |
| Zoo admission included? | No |
| Photos included? | Yes, high-resolution images |
| Other inclusions | Red Panda lapel pin |
| Location | Australia Zoo, Beerwah, Queensland |
Children aged 8 to 14 must take part with a paying adult, and participants need to wear enclosed shoes.
Prices, times and encounter conditions can change, so always check the Australia Zoo website for the latest information before booking.
Watch: Our Red Panda Encounter at Australia Zoo
What happens during the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter?
The Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter gives you the chance to enter the red panda enclosure, meet the keeper and get incredibly close to one of these adorable animals. You’ll even have the opportunity to feed and gently pat a red panda as it moves between participants.
When we did the encounter, there were just three of us in our family plus one other guest. With a maximum of four people able to participate, it felt like a very personal experience rather than a crowded animal encounter.
Before the encounter
You’ll need to pre-book the Red Panda Encounter as places are limited. The encounter currently takes place at 9 am, with Australia Zoo recommending participants arrive at 8.30 am.
When we visited, we waited outside the Australia Zoo entrance, where a staff member met our small group. After signing a waiver and being checked in, we were taken by a golf buggy through the zoo to the red panda enclosure to meet the keeper and, of course, the star of the encounter.
Just look at how adorable he is!
Inside the red panda enclosure
Once inside the enclosure, the keeper gave us a short safety briefing and explained what we could and couldn’t do around the red panda. We were given towels to place over our legs in case he climbed onto our laps and then took a seat on one of the wooden benches.
The keeper gave us food and showed us how to feed the red panda, while a photographer captured the experience.
One thing we learned was that red pandas don’t necessarily seek out affection in the way a pet dog might. Instead, our red panda was quite happy to come close while we offered him food, giving us the opportunity to gently pat his incredibly soft fur.
Importantly, the red panda was free to move around the enclosure and wasn’t forced to interact with us. He wandered between participants at his own pace while the keeper answered our questions and taught us more about red pandas.
Getting this close was easily the highlight. They’re even fluffier in real life than they look in photos, and seeing that little face just centimetres away while feeding him was pretty special.
Red pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China and are classified as endangered, so having the opportunity to see one this closely while learning about the species from its keeper made the experience even more memorable.
What age can kids do the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter?
Children need to be at least eight years old to take part in the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter. Children aged 8 to 14 must participate with a paying adult, which means you’ll need to factor the cost of at least two encounter tickets into your budget if you’re booking for a younger child.
Additional guests who haven’t paid for the encounter aren’t able to come along and watch, so keep this in mind if you’re visiting Australia Zoo as a larger family.
Are photos included in the Red Panda Encounter?
Yes. Australia Zoo currently includes a selection of high-resolution images with the Red Panda Encounter, so you don’t need to worry about missing the moment while you’re feeding or patting the red panda.
When we did the encounter, a photographer was with us for much of the experience and we each received a fridge magnet photo afterwards. The current encounter inclusions have changed since our visit, with participants now receiving high-resolution images as well as a Red Panda lapel pin.
How much does the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter cost?
The Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter currently costs $134 per person and needs to be booked in advance directly through Australia Zoo.
It’s important to know that Australia Zoo admission is not included in the encounter price. If you want to spend the rest of the day exploring the zoo after your encounter, you’ll also need a valid Australia Zoo admission ticket.
For a parent and child aged 8 to 14, you’ll need to book two places on the encounter as children in this age group must be accompanied by a paying adult. At the current price, that’s $268 for the encounter alone, before adding your zoo admission.
Places are limited to just four participants per encounter, so I’d recommend booking ahead if this is something you really want to do during your visit.
Is the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter worth it?
For us, yes – the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter was absolutely worth it.
I originally booked the experience as a birthday surprise for my red panda-obsessed daughter, so this wasn’t just another add-on to our day at Australia Zoo. Getting to actually enter the enclosure, feed a red panda and see one up close made it feel like a genuinely special experience.
That said, it’s expensive. At the current price of $134 per person, a parent taking a child aged 8 to 14 will pay $268 for the encounter, and that’s before you add Australia Zoo admission or an extra child or adult.
For that price, however, you’re getting a very small-group experience with a maximum of four participants, time inside the red panda enclosure, interaction with the keeper and professional photos included.
Would I recommend paying for it simply because you’re visiting Australia Zoo? Probably not. But if you or your child absolutely loves red pandas, or you’re looking for something special to celebrate a birthday or other occasion, then I think it’s worth considering.
For my daughter, it was easily the highlight of our Australia Zoo visit and years later, it’s still an experience we talk about.
Where to stay near Australia Zoo
If you’re travelling from further afield, I’d consider staying near Australia Zoo the night before your Red Panda Encounter. With participants currently asked to arrive at 8.30 am, staying nearby makes for a much easier start to the morning.
We stayed at Beerwah Motor Lodge, just a short drive from Australia Zoo, and I thought it was great value for money. Our room was modern and comfortable, with two beds, an ensuite, microwave and toaster. There’s also a swimming pool and playground, which is handy when travelling with kids.
I’d happily stay here again, particularly if we had another early-morning experience booked at Australia Zoo.
Getting to Australia Zoo for your Red Panda Encounter
Australia Zoo is located on Steve Irwin Way at Beerwah on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. It’s approximately a 60-minute drive from Brisbane and around 30 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport.
If you’re travelling by public transport, trains run to Beerwah Station and Australia Zoo operates a complimentary shuttle between the station and the zoo. However, because the Red Panda Encounter takes place before the zoo’s regular 9 am opening time, I’d check the current train and shuttle timetable carefully before relying on public transport for your encounter.
If you’re flying into Queensland and hiring a car, having your own vehicle is probably the easiest option for an early-morning encounter, particularly if you’re travelling with kids.
FAQ about the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter
Yes. Australia Zoo has red pandas, and visitors can get even closer to them by booking the Rascally Red Panda Encounter. The experience allows a maximum of four participants to enter the enclosure and meet a red panda with one of the zoo’s keepers.
During our Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter, we were able to gently pat the red panda while feeding him under the supervision of his keeper. The red panda was free to move around and choose whether or not to interact with us.
The Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter currently costs $134 per person. General admission to Australia Zoo is not included, so you’ll also need a valid zoo entry ticket if you plan to spend the day exploring the zoo afterwards.
Participants must be at least eight years old. Children aged 8 to 14 must take part with a paying adult, so you’ll need to book at least two encounter places if your child is within this age group.
A maximum of four people can participate in the Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter. We loved the small group size when we did it because everyone had the opportunity to get close to the red panda without the experience feeling crowded.
Yes, I’d recommend booking in advance. With only four places available per encounter, there’s very limited capacity. You can book directly through the Australia Zoo website.
We thought so. It’s certainly an expensive addition to a day at Australia Zoo, particularly as zoo admission isn’t included, but for a child or adult who loves red pandas, getting to enter the enclosure, feed one and see it up close makes for a very special experience.
Planning your Australia Zoo visit
The Australia Zoo Red Panda Encounter isn’t cheap, but for our family it turned an ordinary zoo visit into a birthday experience we still remember years later. If you’ve got a red panda fan in the family, getting the chance to feed one, gently pat that incredibly fluffy fur and learn more about these endangered animals from their keeper is pretty hard to beat.
If you’re travelling to the Sunshine Coast for your Australia Zoo visit, it’s worth making a few days of it. There’s plenty more to see and do across the region, from beautiful beaches to family-friendly attractions and hinterland towns.
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