Due to the high surface-to-volume ratio, the 3-dimensional(3D) nanostructures of metal oxides are regarded as the best candidate materials for the chemical gas sensors. Here we have synthesised flower-like 3D zinc oxide nanostructures through a simple hydrothermal route. Specific surface area of the 3D zinc oxide nanostructures synthesised in different pH values from 9.0 to 12.0 were evaluated by using a BET analyzer and the results were compared with that of a zinc oxide thin film fabricated by rf sputtering. Using interdigitated electrodes, superior CO gas sensing properties of the 3D zinc oxide nanostructures on the ZnO thin film to those of the ZnO thin film were demonstrated.