Monarto Safari Park Begin Build for New Entrance

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: February 26, 2021 4:15 pm

A rendering of the new entrance which is under construction at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Provided by Monarto Safari Park

Construction work has begun at Monarto Safari Park on their new entrance which forms part of the park’s expansion plans.

Zoos SA have announced today that South Australian Company, Mossop Construction + Interiors has been selected to build the visitor centre and they began building work in January.

CE of Zoos SA, Elaine Bensted explained the estimated completion date, “This is a very exciting moment in the incarnation of Monarto Safari Park into one of the largest safari experiences outside of Africa. We will definitely be complete by February 2022 but we are working alongside Mossop to see if we can be complete by Christmas this year!”

Workers begin construction on the new entrance at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Geoff Brooks

The new entrance is the first stage of an ongoing expansion of Monarto Safari Park. Its completion will allow Monarto to welcome a further 55,000 people each year. Further educational offerings for students will also be offered from the center.

Shortly after the visitor centre opens guests will also be able to explore the Wild Africa precinct. This 560 hectare safari experience will include a luxury hotel and glamping accommodation. This area is expected to open by mid-2022.

Guests at Monarto Safari Park will find easy access to admission and membership services, retail, cafe, meeting facilities, staff and volunteer office space, children’s play area, a new entrance road and car parking for approximately 900 cars at the new visitor center.

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The visitor centre has been funded with $11.25 million of funding from the Australian government and $4.55 million from the State Government. It is also being supported by the Rural City of Murray Bridge who are building a new slip lane entry from Monarto Road.

“This Visitor Centre will be yet another drawcard for Monarto Safari Park which attracts around 160,000 local, national and international visitors in a normal year,” Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said.

“The fact that this will be the largest safari experience outside of Africa is a coup for our state, putting us on the map globally and enhancing our world class tourism credentials.

A rendering of the new entrance which is under construction at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

The building was designed by local architectural firms Intro and studio-gram. It is divided in to two ribbon forms that overlap. One is formed from solid rammed earth walls while the other is lightweight corten cladding. These materials were chosen to complement the surrounding environment and provide passive cooling and insulation properties.

The building will be environmentally conscious with high performance double-glazed windows and a solar panel system to generate electricity.