Family-Friendly Places to Interact with Australian Wildlife

With unique and iconic wildlife scattered throughout the country, there are many destinations for families to see and meet Australia’s cute, cuddly and colourful creatures. Even better, many parks offer the chance to interact with Australian wildlife!

Home to the Irwin Family, Queensland’s Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast is home to an abundance of animal species. Families can feed native animals, watch a crocodile feeding show and see birds of prey interact with their keepers.

Cuddle with Koalas

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary is located just outside of Brisbane and is home to more than 130 koalas – the best part: you can hold one any day of the week. Other places you can cuddle a koala include Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park in South Australia and Cohunu Koala Park in Western Australia. Alternatively, pop in to have breakfast with a koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney or Wild Life Sydney Zoo. 

Ride a Camel

In Port Stephens, New South Wales, the whole family can embark on a camel ride along Stockton Beach, where your camel train will cruise along the sand and even into the gently crashing waves as you look out over the vast sand dunes.

Swim with Crocs

If you want to take the thrills up a notch, you can even get up close and personal with living dinosaurs in Darwin at Crocosaurus Cove! This is a unique experience where travellers can swim alongside some of The Northern Territory’s biggest saltwater crocodiles. Don’t be afraid, you’ll be viewing them from the safety of a glass cage.

Observe Tassie Devils

For an educational experience about endangered species, take the kids to Tasmania’s Saffire Freycinet or Devils @ Cradle. Here you can observe the endangered Tasmanian devils enjoying their daily feed.

Pet Platypus

Get up close and personal with Australia’s very own platypus at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria. Kids can play zookeeper for the day and touch, play and feed the platypus onsite!

Interacting with Australian wildlife is great for local and tourist families alike. Check out our website for tips on road trip safety and more!