The invention discloses a catalyst for preparing 1,6-hexanediol from dimethyl adipate.The catalyst is composed of a Cu-Zn-Al-Zr oxide, and comprises 25-60% of Cu, 25-50% of Zn, 10-30% of Al and 0.15-1.2% of Zr.The invention further discloses a preparation method of the catalyst.The catalyst is good in activity and heat resistance.Compared with the prior art, the reduction temperature of the catalyst is low and is 200-220 DEG C, the catalyst can be directly reduced in a reactor, and the cost is reduced; when the catalyst is in use, reaction pressure is reduced to 5-8 MPa, the air speed is decreased, and finally the production cost of hexanediol can be reduced; the preparation method is simple, no additional special equipment is needed, and the application prospect is good.