Brookfield in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Australia House

Opened in 1934

Photographed by Sean Flynn

1. Australia House Marker

Inscription. Australia House has seen several milestones connected to its namesake. In 1971, we purchased a scrub tract in Australia to conserve habitat for southern hairy-nosed wombats. Later, an additional 600,000 acres were set aside.

In 1975, the exhibit was the home of the first wombat born outside of Australia. Currently, Brookfield Zoo is one of only four zoos to exhibit wombats.

Erected by Chicago Zoological Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.

Location. 41° 50.072′ N, 87° 50.109′ W. Marker is in Brookfield, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on 31st Street. The marker is in the north part of Brookfield Zoo, attached to the wall to the left of the doorway into the Australia House. The Australia House is a brief walk west down the northernmost pathway at the zoo. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8400 31st Street, Brookfield IL 60513, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Brookfield Zoo Chicago (within shouting distance of this marker); King Nyani (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Carousel (about 400 feet away); Partners in Conservation

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(about 700 feet away); Theodore Roosevelt Fountain (about 700 feet away); The Fragile Kingdom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wild African Lions (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hamza (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Partners in Conservation (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Brookfield Zoo: Australia House. (Submitted on March 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Australia House at the Brookfield Zoo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 16, 2023

2. Australia House at the Brookfield Zoo

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.