Chester Zoo partnered with Aqualand Industries to create Off Road Adventure, a high-throughput, conservation-themed driving experience for young visitors. The attraction achieved full return on investment within 12 months while enhancing dwell time and family engagement.

Chester Zoo is one of the UK’s most popular visitor destinations, welcoming over two million visitors each year. As a conservation-led charity, the zoo continually looks for new ways to engage families while reinforcing its educational mission.

“We pride ourselves on finding new ways to engage our visitors to keep them coming back time and time again, and the thrill of independent driving in field conservation-style Trukz, even for our youngest guests, is sure to help inspire every conservationist of the future.”

“The project was carefully planned with the support of the Aqualand Industries team, and they deliver service around the vehicles using a real partnership approach.”

Dominic Strange, Chief Operating Officer, Chester Zoo

Working closely with the zoo, Aqualand Industries designed and delivered a fully supported solution using Adventure Trukz® and Crazi-Bugz®, manufactured in the UK at our research, development, and production facility in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.

The result is Off Road Adventure – a hybrid driving experience featuring eight Adventure-Trukz® and five Crazi-Bugz®, designed to give young guests the thrill of independent driving in field-style off-roaders while parents relax nearby. Located beside the Jaguar Café, the activity is easily accessible and offers a convenient vantage point for families.

Project Development & Support

The project began with a conversation at IAAPA Expo Europe, quickly evolving into a co-developed solution aligned with the zoo’s operational needs and educational mission. The vehicles were the first to feature Chester Zoo’s new logo and colour palette, creating a strong visual statement during the zoo’s rebrand.

Aqualand Industries’ Professional Plan provided full support:

•Infrastructure guidance including track options, storage, charging and safety considerations

•Spare batteries, parts and quarterly service visits to maintain uptime

•On-site support during launch and ten days training for all staff

•Regular operational reviews with fortnightly meetings to optimise performance

•Spread payment structure to align with revenue flow

“The project was carefully planned with the support of the Aqualand Industries team, and they deliver service around the vehicles using a real partnership approach.”

Dominic Strange, Chief Operating Officer, Chester Zoo

Commercial performance at a glance

•ROI achieved in under 12 months

•£5 / £6.50 pricing for 10-minute sessions

•High throughput hybrid track design

•Minimal downtime during peak summer operation

What Chester Zoo received

•Track layout, storage, charging and safety guidance before installation

•On-site launch support and 10 days of staff training

•Spare batteries and parts to maintain uptime during peak periods

•Quarterly service visits and fortnightly performance reviews

•Flexible payment structure aligned with revenue flow

Chester Zoo’s family-friendly appeal, increased dwell time, and inspired thousands of young visitors to connect play with conservation values. This project demonstrates how Aqualand supports attractions from concept to long-term operation.