Dreamworld’s Tiger Island is home to one of Australia’s most iconic wildlife experiences, and its newest addition sets a benchmark in immersive zoo design. The overhead tiger catwalk, the first of its kind in the country, creates an awe-inspiring experience where visitors can observe these majestic big cats as they roam directly above the viewing paths.
Ronstan Tensile Architecture was engaged from the earliest stages of the project to provide expertise in specialist tensile mesh design. Our role encompassed the complete design support for the stainless steel mesh system, including structural analysis, patterning, and the establishment of mesh forces for integration with the primary steel framework designed by ADG.
Big cat enclosures demand rigorous attention to safety and durability, and the Tiger Island catwalk was no exception. The design had to achieve two critical objectives: maintaining the highest levels of animal containment and welfare while delivering an open, visually unobtrusive structure for visitors. To meet these requirements, Ronstan optrd to use Carl Stahl X-TEND® stainless steel mesh, renowned for its strength, flexibility, and transparency.
Specialist mesh border detailing was critical for this project. Our proprietary mesh lacing technique to secure the system’s edges was implemented, ensuring long-term performance and structural integrity under significant load conditions. This approach not only satisfies safety standards but also extends the life of the enclosure by maintaining consistent tension and resilience across all borders.
The result is a striking, elevated pathway that seamlessly blends engineering precision with animal care and visitor engagement. This innovative enclosure enhances the Tiger Island experience, offering guests a unique perspective while providing the tigers with an enriched environment that promotes natural behaviors.
