Gan Garoo Zoo, kangaroos and dinosaurs

Kangaroos and dinosaurs at Gan Garoo Zoo

This 4-acre child-centered zoo adjacent to Gan HaShlosha National Park focuses on the wildlife of Australia, and in particular its kangaroos. There is much to keep children engaged, including feeding free-roaming kangaroos that are incredibly tame, feeding parrots, a petting zoo, and watching moving, sound-making dinosaurs while walking in the maze. For adults and older children, there is interesting information to read in Hebrew, English or Arabic about dinosaurs and the wildlife of Australia.

VISITING THE ZOO

Time: Allow at least 2 hours, and substantially more if the children want to feed the animals.

Directions: Enter “Gan Garoo Zoo“ into Waze. There is a free parking lot close to the entrance.

Admission: Hours from July to August on Sunday to Thursday and Saturday are 9:00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., and on Friday and holiday eves 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. During the winter, hours are Sunday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3.00 or 4:00 p.m., on Friday and holiday eves 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on Saturday and holidays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. But check on these times on their website during the appropriate season as the information is not entirely clear. Admission is 59 NIS for adults and children over 2 years, and 47 NIS for seniors. There is a brochure in Hebrew, but all you really need is the enclosed map. Their phone number is 04-648 8060. This is their website.

Public transport: Enter “Gan Garoo Zoo" into Moovit. There are frequent buses between Afula and Beit Shean. The bus stop is only a short distance from the zoo.

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The gift shop sells hot and cold drinks and snacks. There are restrooms. The facility tries its best to keep people comfortable in hot weather and there are mist sprays on the paths. There is a fridge by the park entrance to keep your packed lunch cool. They recommend arriving after 5.00 p.m. during the summer, as the weather is then cooler and the animals are more active.

I recommend walking around the park in a counter-clockwise direction. There is much to keep children occupied. This includes the maze with realistic dinosaurs, many of which move when you press the nearby button, and of course feeding the kangaroos. At the entrance you are given change in shekel coins so you have money to pay for the kangaroo feed at one shekel a handful. Assistants are always present in the kangaroo compound.

Links to the HOME PAGE and best family activities, hikes and historic sites in the GOLAN, EASTERN GALILEE, UPPER GALILEE, LOWER GALILEE, JORDAN VALLEY & LAKE KINNERET, the SHEFELAH, TEL AVIV-YAFFO and surroundings, NORTH of TEL AVIV, and SOUTH of TEL AVIV.