Go Behind the Scenes with Our Macropods

The kangaroo walkabout at the Ararat Ridge Zoo is one of our most popular attractions. During select times, guests can enter the habitat with our red kangaroos and Bennett’s wallabies to see them up close. People must remain on the paths and can only touch the animals if they choose to approach.

However, for those guests who want guaranteed interaction with these marvelous marsupials, there’s a new option available now—a paid behind-the-scenes macropod experience!

Macropod is the collective term for the kangaroo created kind, which also includes wallabies. “Macropod” means “big feet,” and guests will be able to see their big feet up close during this encounter. (Please note that this experience requires a separate paid ticket in addition to admission to the Ark Encounter.)

During the macropod experience, guests will:

• Learn about the macropod kind
• Interact with interesting biofacts like a wallaby skull and kangaroo teeth
• Head to the kangaroo walkabout to meet the red kangaroos and Bennett’s wallabies before it opens to the public
• Touch the macropods on their backs
• Feed the macropods
• Take pictures with the macropods
• Ask zookeepers any questions they may have
• Take home a special souvenir

This program is ADA-accessible and is available to guests ages six years and older (ages 6–17 must be accompanied by a paying adult). It is offered Wednesdays–Saturdays from May 1–October 31 each year.

The program takes place from 10–10:30 a.m. ET and occurs before the kangaroo walkabout opens to other guests, ensuring that participants get a private experience.

There are only 10 spots available per day, so interested guests should sign up quickly to avoid missing out! A portion of the proceeds from the macropod experience will be donated to Samaritan’s Purse, which works to meet the needs of people in Oceania, the native range of macropods.

Meet our kangaroos and wallabies up close by reserving your spot for our brand-new behind-the-scenes experience today. And during your visit, be sure to check out all the other zoo animals since admission to the Ararat Ridge Zoo is included free with your Ark admission.