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apollonaut. Built by People Who've Been

Journal / History

History, wildlife & landscape

A city that was never built.
A safari park instead.

The story of Monarto Safari Park, from farmland bought for a new city to open range for lions, rhinos and elephants.

The ruins of an old stone farmhouse and outbuildings under a bare tree at Monarto Safari Park
The ruins of an old stone farmhouse and outbuildings under a bare tree at Monarto Safari Park.

A new city for South Australia

In the 1970s, Don Dunstan’s state government planned a new city at Monarto, east of Adelaide, and farmland there was compulsorily acquired for it. The plan was abandoned, and much of the land it had taken is now part of the safari park.

The ruins of an old stone farmhouse and outbuildings under a bare tree at Monarto Safari Park
Four giraffes resting and standing on the grass in front of gum trees at Monarto Safari Park

A sanctuary first

The park was established in 1983 as Monarto Zoo, a breeding area and sanctuary for endangered species that was closed to the public. It was open to visitors by 1993 and now goes by the name Monarto Safari Park.

Open range and elephants

Run by Zoos SA, the park covers more than 1,500 hectares, with a focus on animals from Africa. Asian elephants began arriving in November 2024, and five now live in a habitat of more than 12 hectares.

Three spotted hyenas in long green grass at Monarto Safari Park

Continue exploring

Four giraffes resting and standing on the grass in front of gum trees at Monarto Safari ParkFrom sanctuary to safari parkMonarto since 1983.Four giraffes resting and standing on the grass in front of gum trees at Monarto Safari ParkWhat to see at the parkThe Zu-loop, the animals and the tracks.Plan your visit

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