Beaumaris Zoo | Hobart Zoo

Beaumaris Zoo at Battery Point opened in 1895 by Mary Grant Roberts to the public to view her growing animal collection.

In 1923 Beaumaris Zoo opened at a new location in Queens Domain, overlooking the River Derwent.

Spider monkeys, elephants, rabbits, bears, tigers, lions, eagles, zebras, peacocks, owls, ducks and other animals featured as attractions. Admission was 6 pence for adults, and 3 pence for children under 12.

The site was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy in 1943 and reverted to the Hobart City Council in 1991.

Tasmanian Tiger

It is known for being the location where footage of the last known living Tasmanian tiger or thylacine, was taken in 1936. It died on 7 September 1936. The black-and-white footage of the animals, pacing the confines of the wooden frame and wire enclosures, is emblematic of the zoo, which closed down a year after the last tiger's death.

By 1937, Beaumaris Zoo at Queen's Domain was closed after falling attendances due to the worsening economic times.

Tours

These days, the gates of Beaumaris Zoo are open up for tours of the old site. One of the days the old zoo site can be visited is September 7 - National Threatened Species Day, chosen to commemorate the date the last known living thylacine died at Beaumaris.