Two samples of zinc aluminate were hydrothermally synthesised from zinc acetate and different aluminium sources: basic aluminium nitrate or aluminium hydroxide. The textural properties of the prepared ZnAl2O3 samples are different from these one of the zinc aluminate prepared by conventional way. Powder XRD and TEM measurements reveal that samples are single-phase material or mixture of ZnAl2O4 with small amount of gamma -Al2O3, with morphology of quasi-spherical shape. Catalytic properties of the hydrothermally obtained zinc aluminate and Pt (Pd) catalysts supported on them were investigated in the reactions of cyclohexene isomerisation and combustion of trichloroethylene, respectively. It was evidenced that activity and selectivity of the investigated materials could be qualitatively correlated with the part of the strong acid centres measured by TPD of NH3.