Big, small, furry, scaly, slimy, sweet and scary... whichever way you like your animals, the many sanctuaries, zoos, petting farms and animal encounters in Sydney make getting out of the house and up close to these beautiful critters easy.

Make some furry friends and discover some fascinating new places with our pick of the top animal farms you can visit in Sydney!

Table of Contents

Jump to:

Best Petting Zoos and Animal Farms in Sydney

• Calmsley Hill City Farm
• Nancy's Freedom Farm, Arcadia
• Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
• Symbio Wildlife Park
• Rouse Hill Estate

Best Wildlife Parks and Animal Encounters in Sydney

• Taronga Zoo
• Sydney Zoo
• Koala Park Sanctuary
• WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
• The Australian Reptile Park

Unique Animal Experiences in Sydney

• SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium's Interactive Rockpool
• Iris Lodge Alpacas
• The Australian Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary
• Amazement Farm & Fun Park
   

Best Petting Zoos and Animal Farms in Sydney

Calmsley Hill City Farm

At Calmsley Hill City Farm in Abbotsbury, families can experience a unique, interactive farm just a 40-minute car drive from the city, yet a million miles away from the hustle and bustle. Kids can swap screen time for gumboots and paddocks with a day of hands-on farmyard fun and get up close to a range of native and farmyard animals.

Meet and feed friendly residents like goats, sheep, llamas and cows, cuddle up to bunnies and guinea pigs in the farm nursery, and even try their hand at milking a cow and bottle-feeding lambs. A new playground lets little ones explore, plus tractor rides, working dog shows, and wide-open space to run wild. It’s the perfect spot for little animal lovers to experience real farm life without leaving Sydney.

Where: 31 Darling Street, Abbotsbury

When: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 3 pm during school terms; weekends, public holidays and school holidays, 9 am – 4 pm.

Cost: Adults from $32; children $17; family of five $97; under 3s go FREE

Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers and primary-school-aged kids who love hands-on farm experiences.

Animal encounters: Farmyard animal patting, nursery animal feeding, cow milking demonstrations, sheep shearing and working dog shows.

Good to know: There's a playground, picnic areas, free electric BBQs and pram-friendly paths. Tractor rides and feed bags cost extra. Arrive before 10.30 am for the animal-patting session.

Bookings: Calmsley Hill City Farm. General admission doesn't normally require advance booking.

Nancy's Freedom Farm, Arcadia

For a proper taste of farm life, take the kids to Nancy's Freedom Farm, a charming family-run farm tucked away in Arcadia.

Little animal lovers can get up close with friendly goats, sheep, alpacas, rabbits and chickens, many of which have been hand-raised or rescued. The real highlight? Collecting freshly laid eggs straight from the nesting boxes! Kids can wander the paddocks, meet the farm's furry residents and learn a thing or two about life on a working farm. It's a lovely, hands-on animal experience for younger children, but don't forget the gumboots – things can get muddy!

Where: 97 Arcadia Road, Arcadia

When: Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am to 3 pm (weather permitting)

Cost: From $25 for adults, $15 for children

Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers and primary-school-aged children

Bookings: Essential. Call or text 0439 404 433.

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

Want to get up close with some of Australia's cutest creatures? Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park is a must-visit for little animal lovers!

Home to more than 2,000 native Australian animals, this Western Sydney favourite gives families the chance to hand-feed friendly kangaroos and wallabies, meet cuddly-looking koalas and spot everything from wombats to Tasmanian devils. Kids can wander through walk-through habitats, visit the farmyard animals and even snap a selfie with a cheeky quokka during a special animal encounter. Keepers run plenty of talks throughout the day, plus opportunities to meet penguins and reptiles.

With so many hands-on animal experiences, Featherdale is a brilliant day out for curious kids who love getting close to wildlife. 

Planning a visit? Check out 10 of Our Favourite Things About Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park.

Where: 217 Kildare Road, Doonside

When: Daily, 8 am to 5 pm

Cost: Adults $49; children aged 3-15 $29; under 3s go FREE

Best for: All ages, particularly toddlers and preschoolers wanting close encounters with Australian animals.

Animal encounters: Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, explore the farmyard and book special wildlife experiences.

Good to know: Kangaroo feed costs extra. Parent rooms, picnic areas, café and accessible pathways available.

Bookings: Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

Symbio Wildlife Park

Animal encounters with a splash of extra fun? Yes, please! Tucked away in Helensburgh, Symbio Wildlife Park is a family favourite where kids can get wonderfully close to some of Australia's cutest creatures.

Little animal lovers can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, meet friendly farmyard animals and watch cheeky meerkats, adorable red pandas and cuddly-looking koalas going about their day. For an extra-special experience, families can book a close-up animal encounter with a koala, penguin or meerkat. And when the kids have had their fill of furry friends, there's a brilliant adventure playground and a Splash Park complete with tipping buckets and water jets to keep the fun going. Don't forget to pack the swimmers!

Where: 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Helensburgh

When: Daily, 9.30 am to 5 pm

Cost: Online adults $49; children 3-15 $32; family of four $145; under 3s go FREE

Best for: Toddlers through to primary-school-aged children.

Animal encounters: Kangaroo feeding, farmyard animals and bookable encounters with koalas, meerkats, penguins and red pandas.

Good to know: The adventure playground and splash park make this a great full-day family outing.

Bookings: Symbio Wildlife Park

Rouse Hill Estate

Fancy a little farmyard fun with a side of history? Rouse Hill Estate is a hidden gem in Sydney's northwest, where families can step back in time and meet some friendly farm animals along the way.

Every Sunday, kids can join free Meet the Animals tours to get up close to the estate's resident sheep, horses, and chickens while exploring this historic 19th-century homestead. There's also plenty of room to roam, a LEGO® display for budding builders and beautiful gardens for a family picnic. Best of all, entry is completely FREE! Animal tours are popular, so arrive early to secure your spot.

Where: 356 Annangrove Rd, Rouse Hill

When: Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. Meet the Animals tours at 10.30 am and 11.30 am.

Cost: FREE entry

Best for: Preschoolers and primary-school-aged children

Bookings: Free entry tickets can be booked online. Animal tours require registration on arrival, with limited places available.

Best Wildlife Parks and Animal Encounters in Sydney

Taronga Zoo

If your kids are captivated by all things that slither, hop, crawl, and stampede, then you can’t go past Taronga Zoo.

Located a short but scenic 12-minute ferry trip from the city, Taronga Zoo boasts over 4,000 creatures and plenty of zookeeper talks, tours and special events to entertain young and old. For an additional fee, try your hand at the Wild Ropes (ages 3+, pre-booking recommended) or join an animal encounter and take home a photo as proof! 

Where: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman

When: Daily, 9.30 am to 5 pm from September to April; 9.30 am to 4.30 pm from May to August

Cost: Adults from $51.30 online; children aged 4-15 from $29.70; under 4s go FREE

Best for: All ages, particularly families with preschoolers and primary-school-aged children.

Animal encounters: Explore Backyard to Bush Farm, meet farmyard animals and enjoy wildlife presentations. Special animal encounters are available for an additional fee.

Good to know: The farm area has a playground and daily animal presentations. There are picnic areas throughout the zoo.

Bookings: Taronga Zoo

Sydney Zoo

The newest animal-filled wonderland in Sydney is the ginormous Sydney Zoo, a wonder for little eyes and animal lovers.

Kids will feel like they're embarking on a real African safari as they see roaring lions and elephants, or get up close with Asian animals like tigers. Whichever tickles their fancy, they'll find them among 100 exotic and native species and five themed precincts!

Where: 700 Great Western Highway, Bungarribee

When: Daily, 9 am to 5 pm

Cost: Standard online tickets from $44.99 per adult and $19.99 per child aged 3-15; under 3s go FREE

Best for: All ages, particularly families looking for a full-day wildlife adventure and bookable animal encounters.

Animal encounters: Hand-feed giraffes, meet meerkats, pat and feed capybaras, and book special experiences with elephants, koalas and other animals.

Good to know: The zoo has flat, accessible pathways and free parking. Most close-contact encounters are separately ticketed and have minimum age requirements.

Bookings: Sydney Zoo

RELATED: Sydney Zoo vs Taronga Zoo: Which is Better For Families?

Koala Park Sanctuary

For an unbeatable animal encounter with Australia's most iconic critters, head to Koala Park Sanctuary in Pennant Hills.

Nestled in a pram-friendly 10-acre haven, this sanctuary lets you touch, feed, and interact with over 170 animals, from cuddly mammals and curious reptiles to vibrant birds. But it's not just about the cute factor. Dive into engaging, free talks included with your admission that showcase the sanctuary's commitment to conservation. As the pioneering site of the world's first koala hospital, Koala Park offers a journey into the heart of wildlife preservation.

Where: 84 Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills

When: Daily, 9 am to 5 pm, except Christmas Day

Cost: Adults $38; children aged 4-14 $20; family pass (two adults and two children) $99

Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers and younger primary-school children.

Animal encounters: Meet farmyard animals, feed kangaroos and sheep, and attend daily reptile and koala presentations.

Good to know: Farmyard sessions run at 9.30 am and 1.10 pm. There's a playground, picnic facilities and free parking. Koala encounters are for observation and photographs, not cuddling or patting.

Bookings: Koala Park Sanctuary

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

 

Who says you need to leave the city to have a wild animal adventure? Right in the heart of Darling Harbour, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo brings some of Australia's most fascinating creatures together under one roof. 

Little wildlife enthusiasts can come face-to-face with sleepy koalas, spot hopping kangaroos, meet adorable wombats and keep their eyes peeled for the elusive platypus. There are also some seriously impressive reptiles to discover, including saltwater crocodiles. For an extra-special treat, book a Koala Photo Experience or start your day with Breakfast with the Koalas, complete with a delicious buffet breakfast and an unforgettable close-up encounter. With most of the attraction undercover, it's a brilliant option for rainy-day animal adventures in Sydney.

Where: 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour

When: Generally 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 9.30 am to 5 pm on weekends, with last entry at 4 pm. 

Cost: Adults from $39 and children aged 2-15 from $26 with advance weekday online tickets. Peak and walk-up prices are $49 for adults and $36 for children. Under 2s go FREE.

Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers and families wanting an easy animal experience in the city.

Animal encounters: Explore Australian wildlife habitats, enjoy keeper presentations and book an up-close koala photo experience. Other premium WILD Encounters are available.

Good to know: Most of the experience is indoors, making this a handy rainy-day option. Koala photo experiences cost extra, and visitors cannot cuddle koalas.

Bookings: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

The Australian Reptile Park

The Australian Reptile Park has a HUGE crocodile enclosure, roaming kangaroos, a lost world of reptiles and a spider world, plus wombats, giant turtles, koalas and more.

It offers plenty of space for kids to run around and explore. The sunlit picnic tables are very inviting, and the playground is almost as huge as the crocodile enclosure! It's definitely worth the drive from Sydney for a great day out!

Where: Pacific Highway, Somersby

When: Daily, 9 am to 5 pm, except Christmas Day.

Cost: Online adults $53.99; children aged 3-15 $32.99; family of four $145.99; under 3s go FREE

Best for: Preschoolers through to teenagers, especially kids fascinated by reptiles and native wildlife.

Animal encounters: Meet free-roaming kangaroos, enjoy keeper-led animal meet-and-greets, discover snakes and lizards, and watch wildlife presentations.

Good to know: Live animal shows and standard meet-and-greet sessions are included with admission. There are picnic facilities and free parking. Allow at least half a day.

Bookings: The Australian Reptile Park

Unique Animal Experiences in Sydney

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium's Interactive Rockpool

Who says animal encounters have to involve furry friends? At SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, little ocean explorers can get hands-on with some of the sea's most fascinating creatures at the interactive Rockpool Ranger experience.

Kids can discover sea stars, sea urchins and curious crustaceans while learning about the incredible marine life hiding along Australia's rocky coastlines. With knowledgeable SEA LIFE team members on hand to guide the experience, it's a brilliant opportunity for budding marine biologists to explore the underwater world up close!

Where: 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour

When: Open daily, with opening and closing times varying by date

Cost: Online admission from $39 for adults and $26 for children aged 2-15 on selected off-peak weekdays. Under 2s go FREE. Rockpool Ranger is included in general admission.

Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers and primary-school-aged kids who love ocean creatures.

Animal encounters: Explore the interactive rockpool, observe sea stars, sea cucumbers, crabs and sea urchins, with supervised opportunities to touch selected marine life.

Good to know: The rockpool is part of the aquarium's indoor attractions, making it a great rainy-day option. Touching is guided by SEA LIFE staff to protect the animals.

Bookings: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Iris Lodge Alpacas

Breakfast with alpacas? Now that's a family outing worth getting out of bed for!

Nestled in Jilliby on the Central Coast, Iris Lodge Alpacas is home to more than 140 friendly alpacas, along with llamas and adorable Babydoll sheep. Visitors can wander into the paddocks, hand-feed the fluffy residents, and learn all about their quirky personalities during a guided Alpaca Meet & Greet. For something extra special, book the popular Brunch with Alpacas experience, where families can enjoy a delicious farm-style brunch surrounded by their new four-legged friends.

With plenty of opportunities for alpaca cuddles and some seriously cute family photos, this hands-on animal experience is well worth the trip from Sydney!

Where: 33 Dunks Lane, Jilliby

When: Alpaca Meet & Greet sessions on weekends and public holidays, with daily sessions during NSW school holidays.

Cost: Meet & Greet $30 for ages 13+; $27.50 for ages 3-12; under 2s go FREE. Brunch with Alpacas costs $70 for ages 13+ and $60 for ages 2-12.

Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers and animal-loving families wanting a relaxed, hands-on encounter.

Animal encounters: Meet and hand-feed friendly alpacas, learn about their care and interact with other farm animals.

Good to know: The Meet & Greet lasts about an hour, and alpaca feed is included. It's a particularly good option for younger children who might find a full-day wildlife park overwhelming.

Bookings: Iris Lodge Alpacas. Advance bookings are recommended, although walk-ins are accepted during scheduled Meet & Greet sessions.

The Australian Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary

If you've got a soft spot for bush adventures and native fauna, then the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary on the Central Coast is your next animal activity in Sydney.

This incredible sanctuary, nestled within the serene Australian bushland, is a vibrant haven for over 180 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs, many of which are on the brink of extinction. But here, within the safety of the sanctuary's boundaries, they're not just surviving; they're thriving.

Beyond the wildlife, the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary offers a deep dive into indigenous culture with its protected Aboriginal sites featuring ancient petroglyphs. It's a place to connect with Australia's rich history and learn about traditional bush tucker and medicine, all while wandering through beautiful bushwalking trails.

Where: 1 Darkinjung Road, corner of Peats Ridge Road, Calga

When: Daily, 9.30 am to 5 pm, including public holidays. Christmas Day closes at 3 pm.

Cost: Gate admission adults $45; children aged 3-11 $30; teenagers aged 12-17 $30; under 3s go FREE. Online discounts may be available.

Best for: Primary-school-aged children and families who love bushwalking and Australian wildlife.

Animal encounters: Walk among free-ranging kangaroos, wallabies and emus, enjoy ranger-led wildlife activities and book special encounters with native animals.

Good to know: The sanctuary has natural bush tracks, picnic facilities and a kiosk. Large-wheel prams are best for the main animal loop, while some bushwalking tracks aren't pram-accessible.

Bookings: Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary. You can buy general admission at the gate; book specialised encounters in advance.

Amazement Farm & Fun Park

Amazement Farm & Fun Park combines farmyard fun with some seriously exciting wildlife encounters, thanks to its neighbouring Central Coast Zoo.

Kids can meet friendly goats, sheep, ponies and fluffy rabbits before discovering more exotic residents, including lions, capybaras, camels and giant tortoises. For an extra-special treat, book a close-up animal encounter with cheeky meerkats, curious monkeys or adorable wombats. And when the kids are ready for a break from the animals, there's plenty more fun to be had with giant hedge mazes, pony rides and the popular Amazement Express train ride.

It's a brilliant mix of animal adventures and outdoor play, with enough to keep little explorers entertained for hours. The Central Coast Zoo experience is currently available through pre-booked encounters rather than general walk-through access.

Where: 170 Yarramalong Rd, Wyong Creek

When: Daily, 9.30 am to 4 pm (last entry 3 pm)

Cost: Adults $38; children (3-15 years) $26; family pass $122 when booked online. Under 3s go FREE. Pony rides are $10, and animal encounters cost extra.

Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers and primary-school-aged children. Some animal encounters have minimum age requirements.

Bookings: Recommended online for general admission; essential for Central Coast Zoo animal encounters.

Website: Amazement Farm & Fun Park | Central Coast Zoo

—

About ellaslist

ellaslist is a trusted local guide for families across Sydney and NSW, written by parents and family lifestyle editors who understand what makes an outing with kids genuinely work. Our team researches and curates the best family-friendly events, attractions, playgrounds, restaurants and school holiday activities, with practical details on age suitability, accessibility, parking, public transport, facilities and family-friendly tips.

More Animal Experiences in Sydney

Animal Encounters & Nature Adventures in Western Sydney
Our Favourite Things About Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Sydney Zoo vs Taronga Zoo: Which is Better For Families?

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!