Robinson family makes decision to sell 48ha Darling Downs Zoo

The founding family of a much-loved Queensland zoo has made the heartbreaking decision to sell their home - and that of 500 animals - after almost two decades. SEE THE GALLERY

It’s the end of an era for the founders of Queensland’s Darling Downs Zoo, who have decided to hang up their jungle greens and pass their beloved animal haven onto the next generation.

Stephanie and Steve Robinson first opened the Darling Downs Zoo in the Pilton Valley back in June 2005.

The 48ha site now holds 500 animals and is a centrepiece of the Darling Downs community, receiving more than 50,000 keen visitors each year.

Built from the ground up, the zoo has always been run by the Robinson family and 20 dedicated staff, with Steph and Steve making the difficult decision to sell to look after their health and focus on family.

Madeline, Steph and Steve Robinson with 12-month-old Ninja the Macaw at Darling Downs Zoo. Pic Tara Croser.

But the lifestyle change will be especially unique for daughter Madeline, 13, who was born at the zoo and raised alongside lion cubs, baby monkeys, snakes and birds of all kinds.

“This is more than a job, it's a life and it’s the animal’s life as well, and we have a link with each and every one,” Mr Robinson said.

Retro pic special: Who’s who in Darling Downs Zoo

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“I still can’t imagine going to bed without hearing the lions roaring or the wolves calling,” Mrs Robinson added.

“It’s part of our world. This is our home. It was hard to tell the staff - the majority ended up in tears.

“To Madeline, this was her home and nothing else, so it took a long time for her to accept this was something we needed to do, but we need quality family time and we need to move on and let someone else take over the mantle.”

A much younger Madeline with a lion cub. Picture: Bev Lacey/The Chronicle

The Darling Downs Zoo has made significant conservation achievements along its 20-year journey, including bringing the first Meerkats into Queensland in 2015, and helping repopulate the endangered Australian Bilby

The government has recognised their efforts by registering the Darling Downs Zoo Species Preservation Foundation as a charity.

In 2014, the zoo imported Zebras from Texas and in 2017, it experienced an historic birth when the first addax was conceived in Queensland.

The Darling Downs Zoo also welcomed red-handed tamarins in 2018, a baby giraffe in 2020.

“Here on the Downs, it’s a very family oriented environment,” Mr Robinson said.

“We’re still trading with the same people as when we opened. We’ve got one staff member who’s been here since before we opened, nearly 20 years ago, who’s been with us since she left school and is now a senior keeper.

Obuya the giraffe (right, at four months old) with his mum Tulip. Picture: Tara Croser.

“Our team is loyal and well established, so while we were the founders, it’s not just about us... they are only losing us as part of the team.

“I know it will go on because of the support we get from the Darling Downs itself.”
But the pair said they will not choose their successor lightly, assuring the Darling Downs community that their Zoo would remain fully intact and their legacy would live on.

The new owner will ideally love animals as much as the Robinsons, and be willing to take the business to new heights.

“My hope is someone will take the place on for those reasons but also be family people,” Mr Robinson said.

“Somebody who has the same emphasis on the welfare of our animals and also the continuation of our preservation breeding projects .. and keeping our staff.

“There’s no chopping it up,” Mrs Robinson added.

“They’ll have everything they need to keep going, all the animals will stay, they’ll have all the infrastructure, equipment, machinery, medications, records, everything.”

Meerkats are a special feature at the Darling Downs Zoo. Picture: Tara Croser.

The Robinson’s envision their zoo would grow to accommodate glamping, overnight stays and weddings, with additional revenue going towards improving the lives of animals.

And they won’t move too far away, relocating just next door ready to lend a helping hand whenever called on.

The sale of the zoo will be done by tender submission only, with Mr Robinson joking that any sale would “probably come with a caveat of lifetime free visits”.

“We have always been animal lovers so this won’t be something we can just walk away from in a week, we will help them (new owners) transition,” he said.

“In all honesty, it’s become much harder to get licenses and some of the animals here are rare and would be hard to replace, or to try to start a zoo from scratch.

“So it’s truly a fantastic opportunity for anyone who has aspirations of owning a zoo.”

Tender applications for the Darling Downs Zoo close at 10am on July 28.

Steve and Steph will focus on their health after the sale of the zoo. Picture: Tara Croser.

Originally published as Robinson family makes decision to sell 48ha Darling Downs Zoo