Things to do in Sydney: Places with Animals

By Hayley Dean, ellaslist

ANIMALS!!  Who doesn’t love animals? At ellaslist, we LOVE animals!

We all know about Taronga, Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium and Wildlife World next door SO here’s a list of 6 other wonderful animal places to visit in and around Sydney with the whole family.

 

Seals at Opera House

Next time you’re in the city, down by the Opera House, why not stop and say hello to the resident seals that live there. Head towards the back of the Opera House, on the Harbour Bridge side and there you will find them sun baking on the steps, unless of course they are out picking up dinner.

Where: Behind the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay

 

Auburn Botanic Gardens

Auburn Botanic Gardens is a beautiful place. Its (almost) 8 hectares comprises of a stunning Japanese Garden (an absolute must visit during Spring), a memorial reflection pool, a rose garden and two rather special animal enclosures. The first is a Native wildlife park; home to albino wallabies and the second is a wonderful bird Avery. Take a picnic lunch and spent the day exploring.

Where: Chisholm Rd & Chiswick Rd, Auburn

 

Featherdale Wildlife Park

At ellaslist, we love love love Featherdale Wildlife Park. If you have an overseas visitor or an inquisitive toddler, Featherdale is the place to go. Have breakfast with the koalas or a private experience with some of your Favourite native Australian animals. Featherdale prides itself as being very hands on Zoo as your children (and you) will enjoy being able to feed the Kangaroos and Wallabies. You can also get your photo taken with a koala and/or dingo and watch their resident 600kg crocodile being fed.

Where:  217-229 Kildare Road, Doonside (near Blacktown)

Symbio Zoo

Just out of Sydney, heading towards Wollongong, you’ll find Symbio Zoo. Like Featherdale, you can hand feed Native Australian Animals here too but the Zoo offers a much wider variety animals. It’s home to Sumatran tigers, cheetahs, ring-tailed lemurs, red pandas, meerkats, small monkeys and more. They offer a fantastic “Keeper for a day” encounter starting from 8 years old which is one of the youngest ages this sort of thing is open too in Sydney.

Where:  7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Helensburgh

 

Birds Australia Discovery centre

Next time you take the kids for a play at the Newington Armory (Homebush), why not visit the Australian Birds Discovery Centre. It runs regular tours as well as housing an extensive bird book library. From May to November look out for the resident white-bellied sea eagles nesting via EagleCAM. It’s a wonderful opportunity to teach your children about biodiversity and the value of birds and their habitats.

Where: Newington Armory, Jamieson Ave, Sydney Olympic Park

 

Collins beach

Have you heard about the small colony of fairy penguins that live at Collins beach is in Sydney Harbour National Park? By maintaining a respectful distance and understanding of these creatures, you will help contribute to their longevity. Currently around 40-50 penguins live here freely without human intervention so please, please be respectful when you visit.
Where: Collins Beach Road Manly