Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

This was a one of a kind experience for our whole family. We live out of state and I booked this experience on a whim on a recent vacation. We had family members ranging from 18-65 and to be honest I was the only one excited about this before we went. Well after we went was another story. Every single family member LOVED this experience and still talks about it. We visited 5 states that trip and this was at the top of the favorites list. We did rent the 6 person golf cart and it was a lifesaver. There is a lot of walking if you don't have one. It's worth the extra money. Thank you for the unique experience.

We recently made our first trip to Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo after I planned a "get in the car, we're going places" day for my wife's birthday. We've driven by it dozens of times on our way to/from Nashville, but I finally made plans to stop.I wasn't sure what to expect, but knew from what I sleuthed online that it wasn't so much a ZOO (Like Louisville or Nashville), but more of a Zoo on a smaller scale, with Down Under animals as a feature.While located right off of I-65, there's a sign pointing to the parking lot, but the building, itself, doesn't display the name of the Zoo, so keep your eyes open. There is a gravel, unlined parking lot in front of the entry. Park anywhere...literally...people park wherever/however they can.We purchased our tickets in advance so just had to get our QR code scanned at the entry. There are two sign-in registers, but as near as we could tell there's no defined order or process one you enter the door. There's a small, not-well-stocked gift shop in the visitor's center, as well as some restrooms before you enter the park.The first first (and biggest) challenge is the hill you have to climb once you enter the park. It's a hill. It's high. It's a high hill. Wear comfortable shoes.There's a larger gift shop once you summit what I'm suddenly going to call "Mt. Holy Hell". It's significantly larger than the one at the visitor's center, air conditioned, and well stocked. There are also restrooms and bottled beverages available for purchase.We opted for the Mammoth Onyx Cave tour first off. The tours start roughly every 30 minutes and are guided (our guide was James). It takes about 30 minutes and at the deepest you go about 124 feet below ground. It's a spacious and very gorgeous cave that's well-lite (where practical). It's a cave, so it wasn't formed over millions of years with Humans in consideration so there are narrow passages and low passages. There are quite a few steps, some somewhat steep, and some are wet, so be careful. It's a beautiful cave and I took some fantastic photos.There are a number of animal exhibits, mostly geared towards animals from Down Under, but not exclusively. They've got a bird walk that has some gorgeous birds, all in caged exhibits. There are a few wild cats. My favorite area of any zoo is Lorikeets. You can enter the Lorikeet exhibit and they'll land on you and you can purchase nectar to feed them.I have one...and only one...issue with Kentucky Down Under, and that's the size of the exhibits for the birds. The enclosure for the birds -- all of the birds (Lorikeets excepted) -- is entirely too small. My favourite of all birds, the Red Tailed Hawk, is kept in an enclosure that is woefully small for such a bird. Macaws and Kookaburras are a few others. Once you've been to a place where Macaws fly free and in very large numbers around you it gives you a different perspective on how confining and, I'm sure unhealthy, undersized exhibits for birds in captivity can be. A bird needs to be able to fly and soar. Not the case for these birds.The Down Under animal exhibit is amazing. Kangaroos, Ostriches, and Tortoises roam freely. And there are A LOT of Kangaroos. From recently born to full adult, they roam around and lounge together under a large treed area. It's amazing to see a juvenile Kangaroo climb in and out of its mother's pouch. Absolutely amazing.There's a snack bar if you gets the munchies and they do an animal show several times a day.Our visit last about two hours and was pretty awesome. There are a couple steep hills, but if you want to make it easy there are golf carts for rent.You can buy tickets for Kentucky Down Under online or at the visitor's center. Either way, they're not too expensive and is definitely something that you can do for the family and not break the bank.

A wonderful visit, kind and helpful staff, fun inviting and a great weather to visit.

Wasn't sure what to expect as an Australian zoo in Kentucky. But while on vacation drove the 45 minutes to check it out.Looks "shady" from the street but once you get inside it's actually a decent place. The staff is very nice. The cave tour was honestly the best in the area. Much better than the well known larger spot. The animals looked to be taken care of, as it's deff a concern to any captive animal.Food was tasty with good prices. Overall we spent 3 hours there and we all enjoyed it.

It's hard to rate places like these.We would love to continue to educate, experience, rescue, and interact with wildlife but there's empathy, regulations, and rules that need to be enforced for the animals safety and potentially the humans safety also. At this point, most have seen Seaworld's documentary movie Blackfish, if you haven't I encourage you to, and how disgusting company greed for money making comes over the animals best interest. Unfortunately, this is one of those situations. No where else do I know where I would be able to get to be so personal and interactive with one of my favorite animals (kangaroo). After many hours in the car, last minute decision, getting to pet and picture with free range kangaroos, and seeing good reviews we decided to stop for a visit. My experience was the same at the front desk as the other low rated reviews. The two young girls were conversating and seemed as if I interrupted them by walking in the establishment. She just looked at me as I walked up to the desk. I said hello...and without greeting she asked what she can do for me. Well I don't know I've never been here or know how this works so I said I wanted to check out the place? And she just confirmed two adults and one child and asked for payment. I don't know how much each, what I'm paying for, what's included, etc. She charges my card and hands me a map and is talking fast while she circle's things stating where they're located. I ask about show times, golf carts, pricing for extras. On our way there's multiple forks in the road but you can't really determine what animal cages are what right off the start. Dingo looks absolutely miserable in a small cage and wouldn't move. Unsure if it was even alive. Wolves were skiddish/skinny with just two in small enclosure. Birds were in a group of cages absolutely depressingly small and mostly all alone in cages. Lemurs weren't out. Animal show worker was friendly and nice and seemed to care for the animals personally and told facts and let us pet. He also was friendly and used boundaries for rude guests that interrupted the show late and let their kids cut in line and shove themselves at the animals aggressively to pet them. Kangaroos were friendly but way over fed and constantly bothered. They let people in all day long feeding them. If they're nocturnal there's no time period or food limit they're following for guests to allow the animals to remain healthy. Horses were the worst part of the whole place. The big horse was so sweet. It was 90+ degrees and sunny outside that day with no fans in sight. The mini partially roof area was absolutely disgusting. Covered in inches of mud and poop. No hay, food, or a clean patch in there. The big horse needed to be brushed and bathed terribly. After petting it for a while my hands were covered in the thickest dirt grime layer. Their hooves were chipped and cracked and clearly have never been cut or shoed. The poor pony couldn't even walk. It was so stiff, slow, and limping. The hooves on the pony were all bowed and growing up and also have never been cut or shoed. It was like an actual scene from that animal planet rescue cops show on tv. The cave tour guide was late as we all waited in the sun (again 90+ degree sunny day with kids and elders)for someone to start. They allowed people with open toed shoes to go which seemed like a terrible idea. We're told not to touch the cave since it's an active cave and that the bacteria from our hands could affect the process. For starters the group they allowed to go in was maybe 80+ people and way way way too large. The cave is very small. Then because the group was so large the tour guide (maybe Corrie?) had to scream the entire time and I didn't understand a single word she said the whole time. I had to keep asking my boyfriend what she was saying and then relay to my 5 year old. Throughout the short tour you are constantly touching the cave because of climbing. There's some rails in certain areas but not all. Lastly there was a giant hole that was next to the stairs as you climb up and curve for the next portion of the cave that is low and next to your step. I believe we were 225 or 250 FT below ground. The guide said it was like 80 more ft deeper or something and that they don't know how much deeper it is than that or where it goes and my bf kept saying it was so unsafe not to be railed or netted off in the event of a kid slipping in there.It was so sad. I didn't expect to post a review otherwise I would have taken photos of all the negatives but it was depressing and I felt I had to in order to warn about the animals/ money.

Awesome time at this place with my love. We had a blast. Saw so many animals and got to feed the kangaroos, goats and birds. I recommend getting the gold cart on a hot day. Beautiful pastures and sweet animals with awesome staff. There is a cave that is also cool with tons of history in it. All in all, very net place to go to. They have restrooms and portapotty and also have a cafe with good food and snocones, and drinks for excellent prices.

Kentucky Down Under blew me away! And for one reason, and one reason alone....You get to FEED, PET and KISS KANGAROOS!!! What?!?! How can this be?I didn't even know a place like this existed?I assumed you had to fly to Australia to meet kangaroos?Yet, here it is, KENTUCKY DOWN UNDER ADVENTURE ZOO!Funny, I was driving from Tennessee and decided to make a stop at the Kentucky Welcome Center right at the state borderline and that's where I picked up a brochure for this place.When I read that you can make nice to kangaroos?! I was all in! Chips in the middle of the table, lol. I didn't believe it. I had to witness this firsthand.But I admit, I received exactly what they advertised.Yes, the kangaroos approach you and eat food out of your hand.Lol, did I mention yet that you can KISS them??!!It's like this moment in life, when everything aligns. The world is right. The world is good!....lol, now I'm being way too spiritual. But it's just, the kangaroos. They are gentle. They enjoy approaching you. They interact. They have beautiful dispositions!For this Kentucky Down Under....they're a local, family-owned sort of animal sanctuary and they do a wonderful job with their kangaroos!I guess I can say I checked something off my To-Do List?I'm kind of at a loss for words how I loved this place because you have infinite time during the day, to your heart's content....to meet and greet KANGAROOS!Well, let me take my emotions out of the equation and give details...- There's maybe 25 - 30 kangaroos in an enclosure. There were mamma kangaroos and a few of them had joey's snuggled inside their pouches!!!- The only noticeable instruction before entering the enclosure was, they ask you not to touch the kangaroos' ears or the top of their heads. You can rub their bellies and backsides (and kiss them if I haven't mentioned that before, haha).- Prices for the pebbles to feed them....1 small cup = $12 bigger cups = $51 giant 16-ounce cup =$10. I splurged for the 16-ounce, lol.I placed the pebbles in my back pocket to sort of share the time between feeding them while embracing the setting.- Entrance fee admission for an adult was $25.95.- Inside the kangaroo enclosure were 2 friendly ostriches who also appreciated being fed. That was a terrific experience as well.- They have a petting zoo with sheep, goats and donkeys, but you're not allowed to enter their enclosure because those animals were aggressive according to the attendant.- There's a lorries section where you receive an enticing/appetizing liquid that the birds are attracted to, and they fly on top of your head and shoulders.- Throughout the day were featured animal shows and presentations, introducing you to different species you may not be familiar with.- Included in the price of admission is a guided daily tour inside their caves. Kentucky is known for their cave systems, so the zoo offers that aspect.- There's a cafe/eatery with picnic tables for lunch.- Of course, they offer a Gift Shop.- Interestingly, for those families who may have children or for those who don't feel like walking, you can rent a golf cart to make your way around the grounds.- The zoo isn't big...everything is within short distance. In fact, there's a scenic 1-mile nature trail to walk. For a pleasant spring/summer day, I enjoyed it. - Kentucky Down Under is located in Horse Cave, KY, about 100 miles northeast of Nashville, TN.- It's open 9am - 5pm daily.I used half the day here. That was more than enough time to get acquainted with everything. Though, a majority of my visit was with the kangaroos. Obviously, they are the main attraction. Otherwise, Kentucky Down Under can appear like a typical zoo anywhere throughout the USA.In the end, the interactions...the face-to-face connections...that human to innocent animal element...was just priceless.I leave this review feeling joy and happiness in my heart.I received 1000% satisfaction out of the experience.This is Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo.

I thought this was a good opportunity for the grandchildren. Even as an older person being around the animals reminded me of my inner child. I also appreciated how friendly the staff was toward us. It was a great day.

While looking for something to do on Groupon, I found a good price to visit Kentucky Down Under. I visited in October when the weather wasn't too cold. I was surprised how many animals there were. The cave tour was quick and a little scary. You have to be really careful or you could slip easily. The stairs are a little steep and wet. The kangaroos are so darn soft! I had no idea! They were really friendly and were easy to interact with. I was hesitant at first, but there was no threat upon entering. They just want some munchies!If you're able to catch the animal show, then I highly recommend. You get to pet some unique animals and learn some fun facts about them.

So cool! Expensive but if you're wanting a one of a kind experience, I definitely recommend this place. The kangaroos are the highlight of course but you get to feed so many different animals. They offer cave tours. I recommend renting a golf cart to get around because the area is huge.