Effective 1 July 2019, entry prices for the Territory Wildlife Park and Alice Springs Desert Park will increase following a review into the commercial operations of these parks. 

The entry price increase will bring the parks in line with the entry fees of similar zoos and wildlife parks in other jurisdictions as well as similar tourism offerings in the NT. 

Increasing the entry price will ensure the parks are able to respond to changing market conditions and will provide a fair environment for other wildlife operations in the NT. 

Both the Territory Wildlife Park and Alice Springs Desert Park will continue to provide vital conservation/biodiversity and education programs to the local community, separate to their commercial functions. 

Children under 5 remain free. NT school students on excursion will also continue to be free.

The increase of entry prices is to ensure cost recovery of the commercial elements of the operation, as opposed to the community service obligations fulfilled by the parks – such as hosting NT school excursions, which will not be affected by the new pricing policy. 

The change will also address the principles of competitive neutrality that apply to commercial activities on the parks. 

As part of the pricing policy, the parks will provide more robust reporting about the Community Service Obligations performed, the expenditure of Community Service Obligation Funding and commercial operations undertaken. This will offer further transparency to the community about income, expenditure and operations. 

The review of the entry prices was undertaken last year, prior to any recent decisions regarding Budget repair. 

Key changes:

• Single adult entry will increase from $32 to $37.
• Single child entry (5-16 years) will increase from $16 to $18.50
• Existing Territory Wildlife Park Territorian Pass will be honoured up to the existing expiry date after which point, visitors may choose to purchase a new 12 month membership.

For more information please go to: https://dtsc.nt.gov.au/parks-and-wildlife-commission/park-management-strategies-consultation/territory-wildlife-parks-pricing-policy

Media Contact: Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture media manager 0476844832.