As the April school holidays approach, it’s prime time for family fun and adventure planning. Monarto Safari Park is calling your name for a wild safari that’ll leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Spread across a whopping 1,500 hectares, Monarto Safari Park is the largest safari park outside of Africa. Graced with lions, giraffes, rhinos, lemurs (to name a few) the park is of a scale unmatched in Australia.

Begin your journey at the magnificent Visitor Centre (opened in 2022). Complete with playground, café, gallery, baby change, parents’ rooms and gift shop, the Visitor Centre is free to visit and offers plenty of car park and caravan spaces including family-friend and accessible parking.

Giraffe Safari is one of the most incredible experiences you can enjoy at Monarto Safari Park. Imagine getting up close to one of the largest giraffe herds in the country and hand-feeding a gentle giant.

Family-friendly, take part in Giraffe Safari and marvel as the tallest land mammals gracefully extend their long necks to accept tasty carrots with their long, blue tongue! Giraffe Safari is an experience to remember and one that will leave you and your kids grinning from ear to ear.

Land of the Lemurs, Monarto Safari Park’s newest all-ages and accessible experience, brings a Madagascan expedition to South Australia. Get up close with one of Australia’s largest lemur troops and prepare for giggles and viral content.

As you wander through the specially designed walk-through habitat, the bright eyed, black-and-white Ring-Tailed Lemurs will freely leap from tree to tree, hang upside down, pounce, play and even run between your feet. This tour also extends over to the lemurs’ shelled neighbours. Unbelievably, the tortoises in the neighbouring habitat have proven to be a visitor favourite!

When you’re not taking part in an experience? Pack the kids onto the Zu-Loop bus that departs from the Visitor Centre, and hop on and off at a variety of wildlife viewing platforms – including the Giraffe, Southern White Rhinos, Cheetah, African Lions, the Outpost and Black Rhinos.

Plus – if you’ve been in search of a new trail to conquer, try the 12-kilometre network of walking tracks across the park. Ranging from easy to medium grading these tracks are suitable for a sturdy pram/stroller.  Our suggestion? Do a combination of Zu-loop bus and walking tracks.

Monarto Safari Park’s commitment to conservation and education shines through with each visit and experience. A visit to Monarto Safari Park is so much more than a day out; it’s an opportunity for families to learn about wildlife conservation and sustainability. Who knows? A visit might just inspire your little one to be the next David Attenborough or Jane Goodall!

Only 15 mins away, discover family fun at Murray Bridge. Sturt Reserve offers amazing playgrounds, basketball courts, skate parks, and riverfront walking trails (passing the iconic Bunyip). You can always stop into Little Local Co for a milkshake and sweet treat.

Otherwise, the Bridgeport Hotel should be your go-to destination for family accommodation, food, and live music. Book a family suite and enjoy sweeping views of the Historic Twin Bridges every morning, then pop downstairs to the Rivergum Restaurant for a fizzy and dinner from the kids menu that the little ones will love.

If you’re travelling up (or down) the Mighty Murray River Trail, make sure you stop in at Karoonda, an agricultural town that’s home to some incredible playgrounds and art installations.

With its local cafes, friendly shops and great hospitality, the town’s main street is a great place to stop for a bite to eat – and to stretch your legs. Little travellers will love the new space-themed playground featuring a giant rocket with slides and their very own moon rover vehicle.

And no trip to Karoonda would be complete without meeting the Big Ram.

The centrepiece of Karoonda’s arts scene is the day and night silo art. By day, a huge mural by street artist Heesco depicts country life and the town’s heritage (complete with steam train). You’ll want to stick around after dark when the silos become one giant canvas for illuminated artwork projections – and the artist changes every month, so there’s always something new to see.

Staying for the night artwork? The three new eco-cabins at the Karoonda Tourist Park offer a serene setting on the edge of town, a short walk from the silos.

So, why not pack your bags and head to Monarto Safari Park these school holidays for an adventure of a lifetime?