Koalas in South Carolina? Yep, with official permission from the Australian government. A sister-state friendship with Queensland sealed the deal.
So, these koalas are basically exchange students who decided to stay.
They share the neighborhood with more than 3,000 animals. That’s one busy block. An 800-foot bridge leads across the river to a 70-acre botanical garden with over 5,700 kinds of plants.
Gorillas first, roses second, no car keys required. Ruins from the early 1800s line the trails, because history wanted in on the fun.
Koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day. In a place this nice, who could blame them?
Hundreds Of Species Share One Leafy Riverside Address
More than 3,000 animals call Riverbanks Zoo and Garden home, and they represent hundreds of species. That’s a big crowd for one riverside property in South Carolina.
The full site covers 170 acres along the Saluda River. It stretches across both Columbia and West Columbia, so the zoo technically lives in two cities at once.
Variety is the real headline here. You’ll find gorillas, grizzly bears, penguins, sea lions, kangaroos, and koalas, which feels like a world tour on foot.
The zoo opened its gates on April 25, 1974. Today it ranks as South Carolina’s largest gated attraction, drawing more than one million visitors every year.
Awards keep piling up as well. It has won the Governor’s Cup for the state’s most outstanding tourist attraction several times.
Riverbanks is also accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. That stamp means it meets high standards for animal care, welfare, education, and conservation.
Plan for plenty of walking, since the grounds spread out generously. Grab a map at the start, and you’ll waste less time circling back past the same flamingos.
You Can Hand A Giraffe Lunch At Eye Level
Few things beat a giraffe tongue reaching for your snack. At the African Plains exhibit, the Giraffe Overlook puts you right at their level.
Feeding runs daily from 10 AM to 2:30 PM. There’s a catch, though, because it ends early once the giraffes finish their daily allotment.
Translation? Head there in the morning if this is on your must-do list. Hungry giraffes don’t save seats for latecomers.
Feeding costs extra, using the zoo’s Explore More Credits. Most add-on experiences work this way, so budget a little beyond basic admission.
While you’re up there, look around the plains. Grant’s zebras and ostriches share the area, giving the whole scene a savanna feel right here in South Carolina.
The Southern white rhino exhibit sits nearby too. It opened in 2020 on the site of the former elephant exhibit.
Bring patience and a steady hand. Giraffes are polite eaters, mostly, but their tongues are long, dark, and surprisingly enthusiastic.
Little kids may need a boost or a reassuring hand nearby. A giraffe head is much bigger up close than it looks in picture books.
Australia Shows Up In Some Surprising Ways
Koalas don’t just move anywhere. The Australian government has to approve their homes, and Riverbanks Zoo and Garden made the cut.
The reason is charming. South Carolina’s sister state is Queensland, Australia, and that friendship helped bring koalas to Koala Knockabout.
Nearby, the Lorikeet Experience lets you feed brightly colored birds. Expect flapping wings and very confident little guests landing close by.
Then there’s Kangaroo Walkabout, a barrier-free exhibit. You can walk through the space among kangaroos and wallabies, which feels wonderfully unusual.
One rule matters, though. Touching isn’t allowed, so keep hands to yourself and let the animals hop by on their own schedule.
Kangaroo Walkabout is free with admission. That makes it an easy stop when the kids need a break from waiting in lines.
Lorikeet feeding costs extra and runs on a schedule. Check times on the day you go so you aren’t staring at quiet birds who already ate.
Koalas sleep a lot, honestly a ridiculous amount. Catching one awake feels like spotting a celebrity buying groceries.
Sea Lions Steal The Show With Serious Splash
San Francisco’s Pier 39 inspired one of the most popular stops here. Sea Lion Landing opened in 2016 with a pier-style look.
The habitat holds 250,000 gallons of saltwater. Sea lions and a harbor seal share the space, gliding around like they own the place.
Animal talks happen throughout the day, so check the daily schedule. Hearing keepers explain behaviors makes the swimming even more fun to watch.
Penguins are another highlight at the Birdhouse at Riverbanks. King, Rockhopper, and Gentoo penguins live there with over 200 other birds.
That Birdhouse earned a Significant Achievement Award from the AZA. Those birds come from more than 80 species, so bird fans should budget extra time.
Next, swing by the Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center. It features an Indo-Pacific coral reef exhibit, along with other aquatic habitats showcasing marine life.
Snakes and alligators round out that building. Reptile fans will be thrilled, and squeamish relatives can stare at the coral instead.
Indoor exhibits also offer a breather on hot afternoons. South Carolina summers don’t mess around, after all.
Gorillas And Grizzlies Bring The Big Personalities
Western lowland gorillas live in Ndoki Forest, a rainforest-themed area. De Brazza’s monkeys and meerkats share the neighborhood too.
Meerkats deserve your attention. They stand upright and scan the horizon like tiny security guards with very serious jobs.
Gorillas move at a calmer pace. Spend a few quiet minutes there, and you’ll start noticing small gestures and expressions.
Over at Grizzly Ridge, things go wild in a different way. Grizzly bears, bald eagles, and river otters all live in this section.
Otters are basically the comedians of the zoo world. They tumble, swim, and wiggle with energy most of us only have before noon.
Seeing a bald eagle up close is a treat as well. America’s national bird looks even more impressive when it’s not on a coin.
Animals tend to be livelier earlier in the day. Arrive near opening at 9 AM for your best shot at action.
Hours shift with the seasons, closing at 5 PM from February through October. From November through January, the gates close at 4 PM.
Crossing The River Turns Into Half The Fun
Getting to the garden side is an adventure itself. An 800-foot pedestrian bridge crosses the Lower Saluda River between the zoo and garden.
Prefer a lift? The Saluda Skyride is a newer aerial ride offering panoramic views between the two sides.
Better yet, the Skyride is free with admission. Free river views from above feel like a small victory for your wallet.
Watch the water as you travel. The Saluda River is the peaceful backdrop that gives Riverbanks its name.
The garden also has its own entrance at 1300 Botanical Parkway in West Columbia. Most folks, though, start at the main zoo entrance, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210.
Parking is available near the zoo. Arriving early helps, especially on weekends and during busy summer months.
Wear comfy shoes no matter which crossing you pick. Covering both sides adds up to a lot of steps by the end.
Strollers and a limited number of wheelchairs are available for rent. That can make the round trip much easier for little ones and anyone needing help.
Seventy Acres Of Blooms Await Across The Water
June 10, 1995, marked a big day for plant lovers. That’s when Riverbanks Botanical Garden officially opened to the public.
Today it covers 70 acres. More than 5,700 varieties of native and exotic plants grow here, along with sculptures placed around the grounds.
Nine themed gardens give the space variety. Highlights include the Asian Garden, Dry Garden, Shade Garden, Bog Garden, Collection Garden, and Walled Garden.
Each one changes the mood. The Bog Garden feels completely different from the Dry Garden, so wander slowly and compare.
Trails lead into bottomland and upland mixed hardwood forests. Along the way, you’ll catch views of the Saluda River.
History waits on those trails too. The site has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.
Remains from the early 1800s link to South Carolina’s textile industry and the Civil War era. It’s a lot of story packed beside a quiet river.
Gardeners, bring a notebook or phone for plant ideas. You may leave planning a backyard makeover, whether your yard agrees or not.
Snacks, Lights, And Backstage Secrets Round Out The Day
Tuskers is the indoor, air-conditioned restaurant inside Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
Its menu covers salads, sandwiches, pizza, burgers, chicken tenders, and Bird-Friendly coffee.
Other food stands sit around the park as well. Outside food and coolers generally aren’t allowed, but a free picnic area waits at the west end.
Seasonal events give you more reasons to return. Boo at the Zoo offers family-friendly Halloween trick-or-treating among the exhibits.
Winter brings Wild Lights, with glowing holiday lantern displays. There’s even nightly snowfall, which is quite a trick in South Carolina.
Curious about animal care? Riverbanks Backstage offers private behind-the-scenes tours with penguins, sea lions, and rhinos.
Those tours cost extra and carry age limits. Check details early, because spots for special experiences can be limited.
Education programs run year-round for all ages. Options include Zoo Camp, school groups, and homeschool programs.
The park is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. That leaves plenty of chances to plan a visit, then plan another one.