The Best Animal Themed Adventures for Kids

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Next time the kids are pacing the house like caged lions why not take a real animal adventure? Whether you want to come face to face with the King of the Jungle, meet some Australian legends or see some super cool sea life, there is an animal encounter for everyone at these incredible wildlife sanctuaries.

If you're on the prowl for an exciting experience, set off on your own safari to one of the best animal-themed adventures for kids across Sydney.

The Best Animal-Themed Adventures in Sydney

1. Calmsley Hill City Farm

Calmsley Hill City Farm
Have an interactive experience at Calmsley Hill City Farm with animals, shows and tractor rides!


Bring ‘Old MacDonald’s Farm’ to life on a trip to Calmsley Hill City Farm. Located in Abbotsbury, approximately 40 minutes from the city, the farm gives kids the opportunity to experience life on a working farm for the day. Learn how to milk a cow, take a ride on the tractor and feed the animals in the Farmyard Nursery. Bring a picnic lunch or take advantage of the free electric BBQ facilities. Calmsley Hill City Farm is the perfect farm experience for all ages and they even offer special birthday party packages.

Where: 31 Darling St, Abbotsbury

RELATED: Places Where You Can Dine With Animals In & Around Sydney
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2. Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo
Sydney's Taronga Zoo is Australia's largest zoo and home to over 4,000 animals


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, you can try your hand at the Wild Ropes (for ages 10+, pre-booking is recommended) or have an animal encounter and take home the photo as proof! A day at the zoo can be a strain on little legs so you may want to pack the pram for little ones.

For a limited time, you can enjoy $20 off all new Zoo Friends memberships this summer thanks to ellaslist deals!

Where: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman

3. Sydney Zoo

Sydney Zoo
Sydney's newest zoo has a collection of exotic​ animals from across the globe. 


The first major zoo to be launched in 100 years, the new Sydney Zoo is now open and ready to embrace all things wild. Get ready to get up close and personal with lions, orangutans, tigers, leopards and over 2,000 other native and exotic animals in a safari-inspired atmosphere. There are five distinct precincts Aquarium, Asia, Africa and Primate Boulevard, plus Australia which is home to roaming kangaroos and emus, and the country’s largest reptile and nocturnal animal house.

Where: 700 Great Western Highway, Bungarribee

4. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium 

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is an aquatic sanctuary right in the city!


If sea creatures are more your scene then scoot on over to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour. The aquarium houses over 12,000 animals from sharks to sea anemones and everything in between. Walk through the underwater glass viewing tunnels as sharks, rays and turtles swim serenely overhead. Book your tickets online to snare a discount and make sure you check out their events calendar to see what exciting shows they've got coming up!

Where: Darling Harbour, Sydney CBD

5. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Don't miss the Kangaroo Walkabout at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.


Right next door to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo - a fun, quintessentially Aussie experience that offers an intimate, undercover animal sanctuary in the centre of the lively harbour city. Little animal lovers can come face-to-face with some of the cutest and most iconic native animals on a self-guided journey through the zoo. Little animal lovers can meet their favourite furry friends including a rooftop of adorable koalas and an amazing, interactive Kangaroo Walkabout. You'll also discover endangered species and a diverse collection of reptiles. 

Where: Darling Harbour, Sydney CBD

6. Symbio Wildlife Park

Symbio Wildlife Park
Get up close to the amazing animals at Symbio Wildlife Park


Just 45 minutes south of Sydney in a beautiful natural bushland setting, you’ll find Symbio Wildlife Park, a smaller, more intimate zoo experience. Animal highlights include getting up close and personal with their wallabies, red pandas, lemurs, meerkats, reptiles and koalas. Make sure you check out their daily zookeeper presentations and feeding times at various animal enclosures. Symbio Wildlife includes a koala breeding sanctuary, a reptile house, a covered picnic area and a massive splash park! 

Where: 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Helensburgh

7. Australian Reptile Park

Australian Reptile Park
 Australian Reptile Park has one of the largest reptile collections in Australia!


Not for the faint of heart, the Australian Reptile Park is home to many of the venomous creatures that Australia is famous for! Where else can you see funnel-web spider and venomous snake milkings? Or come face-to-face with a very cranky crocodile? The kids will love the thrill of getting up close to some fearsome fauna, and there are plenty of furry and feathered friends to see too. The park also has a great reptilian themed adventure playground where the kids can burn off some energy before the drive home.

Where: 69 Pacific Hwy, Somersby

8. Golden Ridge Animal Farm

Golden Ridge Animal Farm
Feed, pet and hold baby animals at Golden Ridge Animal Farm.


Boasting a cute and cuddly farmyard atmosphere for over 40 years, Golden Ridge Animal Farm is the perfect spot for little ones to see, feed and maybe even pet farmyard animals in Sydney. Cows, horses, mice, ducks, sheep, pigs - whichever farmyard animal your little one has their heart set on meeting, you'll find it at Golden Ridge Animal Farm. There is a kiosk open on weekends and school holidays, selling espresso coffees for those early-morning risers. 

Where: 686 Old Northern Rd, Dural 

More Outdoor Adventures in Sydney

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