Elephants of Asia Visitor Precinct | Monarto Safari Park | Review
It’s an exciting time at Monarto Safari Park! The elephant herd has settled into its spacious new habitat, and families can now visit the spectacular new visitor precinct.
Review By Claire Davill and Lisa Bachmayer
Monarto Safari Park’s Asian Elephants Burma, Permai, Putra Mas, Pak Boon and Tang Mo have a new home in a special habitat designed to meet their social structure needs, and you can now get up close to view their cheeky antics.
Officially opened to the public on 4 July 2026, the sprawling precinct is now accessible via the Zu-Loop Bus (included in your entry ticket), and there are multiple viewing platforms to watch the elephants from.
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There are two Zu-Loop stops from which you can see elephants: Stop 3 ‘Black Rhino’ and Stop 4 ‘The Waterhole’. The volunteer mentioned two elephants were at the enclosure near the black rhinos, so we got off at Stop 3.
To see the elephants at Stop 3, we crossed the road to the walking track to see elephants in the first compound. You may need to walk around the enclosure a bit, depending on where the elephants are. There’s also some information signage here about the elephants.
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It is about a seven minute walk following the walking trail to the main elephant platforms at Stop 4. You get to walk past the compounds, so you may spot elephants while walking along.
While on this walk, we were lucky enough to see two keepers doing some training with Burma right next to the fence. It was lovely to see her connection with the keeper; she even gave him a high five with her trunk, much to the kids’ delight!
An illuminated tunnel will take you to the other side of the enclosures, where you’ll find the main viewing platform, Zu-Loop Stop 4 ‘The Waterhole’, and picnic tables.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELEPHANTS AT MONARTO
The main platform sits behind the shelter, where you will find plenty of information about each of the elephants in the herd. This platform is also right in front of one of the waterholes, giving you a close up view of the elephants swimming and splashing about. A slightly elevated platform to the right gets you closer to the area where the elephants can indulge in a dust bath or mud bath (weather dependent!).
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Depending on the day and time, a coffee cart offering hot beverages, water and simple snacks may be at the main viewing platform. Watching the elephants over a cup of hot chocolate was a delightful way to warm up during our winter visit.
On the opposite side of the Zu-Loop Bus stop is another long and elevated platform that ends in a shelter. This platform overlooks another enclosure and waterhole, and on the day we visited we could see the only male of the herd, Putra Mas, with his magnificent tusks.
This is also where you’ll find a lovely playground for the kids to blow off some steam, which is shaded and partially fenced.
The kids in our group, ranging in ages from 4 to 10, all loved the playground (almost as much as seeing the elephants!). It was the perfect break from sitting in the bus and the slower pace of watching animals, giving them an opportunity to let off some steam.
Also, if the timing is right, you might find a curious onlooker watching on while the kids play! How many playgrounds have a view over an elephant enclosure?!
Tips for visiting:
- If you are able, we recommend getting off at either Stop 3 āBlack Rhinosā or Stop 4 āThe Waterholeā and walking to the other stop, spotting elephants and their keepers along the way. Take the tunnel to get to the other side and follow the walking tracks.
- A coffee cart is stationed at the main waterhole viewing platform near Stop 4; ask staff at the VIC for opening hours.
- Allow extra time for the playground and consider a picnic or snack at the picnic tables next to it. Our kids were eager for plenty of play here.
- You may need to be patient and wait or walk around if elephants arenāt immediately visible or close to the fence, but they do wander around. Spend time walking between the two areas to spot elephants and their keepers.
- Be aware of viewing platform closing times (on map).
- Allow plenty of time to visit the elephants; we spent an hour and a half here, walking between the two areas, getting coffees, having a play and a picnic.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS:
Pre-booking is required for all non-members before your visit Monarto Safari Park. Zoos SA members are not required to pre-book.
Book your date-specific entry tickets to Monarto Safari Park online.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELEPHANTS AT MONARTO
Location & How to Get There:
Monarto Safari Park is located at 63 Monarto Road, Monarto. Travel by road from Adelaide by taking the Monarto exit off the South Eastern Freeway and following the signs. It’s approximately one hour from Adelaide to Monarto by car.
LinkSA also provide a direct bus service from the Adelaide CBD and from Mount Barker. Check the LinkSA Website for timetable details.
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For more information and all enquiries please visit the Monarto Safari Park website.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go (July & August 2026).
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