11 Places Around Sydney to Visit Animals

posted in: Activities, Day Trips, Life | 0

Who doesn’t love animals? Whether visiting with guests or simply looking for a family day out, this list of zoos, sanctuaries and farms will guarantee lots of fun for everyone!

 

Australian Reptile Park

Lot 69 Pacific Hwy, Somersby (1-hour drive from Ryde)

Located on the Central Coast, the Australian Reptile Park is home to exotic reptiles from around the world and a wide variety of Australian native animals.

Enjoy live entertaining shows, themed exhibits and behind-the-scenes tours. Learn about conservation work undertaken by keepers including the Tasmanian devil breeding program at Devil Ark, and our lifesaving snake and spider venom collection work.

More info on the Australian Reptile Park here.

 

Australia Walk About Wildlife Park

1 Darkinjung Rd, Calga NSW (1-hour drive from Ryde)

Located on the Central Coast, the Australia Walk About Wildlife Park is home to over 180 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. Many of these animals are species on the verge of extinction, but within the park walls, protected from introduced dangers, they are thriving.

The park is a sanctuary for animals who are unable to be released back into the wild. Also on the property are several Aboriginal sites with ancient petroglyphs.

More info on Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park.

 

 

Calmsley Hill City Farm

31 Darling St, Abbotsbury

Get up close to a range of native and farmyard animals! At Calmsley Hill City Farm you can feed the nursery animals and join in on their shows and demonstrations. Bring your own picnic lunch, or use our free electric BBQ’s to cook your own lunch while enjoying their beautiful grounds. Take-away food can be purchased at the Farmhouse Kiosk. Parking is excellent and there is wheelchair and pram access throughout the farm.

More info on Calmsley Hill here.

 

Featherdale Wildlife Park

217 Kildare Rd, Doonside

Meet over 2,000 Australian native animals from more than 260 different species at the multi-award-winning Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park.

Meet a Koala, hand feed Kangaroos, Wallabies and Pademelons whilst checking out our Echidnas, Tasmanian Devils, Dingoes, Little Penguins, Snakes, Cassowaries, a giant Saltwater Crocodile and much more.  

Encounter over 30 species of rare and endangered animals including Ghost Bats and Bilbies and meet the world’s deadliest snake – the Inland Taipan.

More info on Featherdale Wildlife Park here.

 

Golden Ridge Animal Farm

686 Old Northern Rd, Dural

Milk a cow, bottle feed lambs and hold baby chicks or ride a pony at Golden Ridge Animal Farm. This is the perfect place for kids to get a hands-on experience with farm animals in Sydney.

Bookings are essential as only limited numbers are allowed on the farm each day.

More info on Golden Ridge Animal Farm here.

 

Koala Park Sanctuary

84 Castle Hill Rd, West Pennant Hills

Get up close and personal to Australian animals with the chance to pat, stroke and feed, mammals, reptiles and birds. The Sanctuary cares for over 170 animals in their pram-friendly 10-acre Koala Park. Enjoy Talks throughout the day which are all free (included in the Admission price) where you can learn about their passion for conservation as Ambassadors for Wildlife and the world’s first koala hospital.

More info on the Koala Park Sanctuary here.

 

 

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney

Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of the world’s largest aquariums with over 700 different species and 13,000 animals in an impressive six million litres of water. 

Explore Day and Night on the Reef –a brand new Great Barrier Reef experience, the largest in the world! Walk across bioluminescent beaches, journey through the jellyfish garden and meet their marine turtles in this totally unique, interactive exhibit.

While you’re there, why not visit Wild Life Sydney Zoo.

More info on SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium here.

 

Sydney Zoo

700 Great Western Highway, Bungarribee

When Sydney Zoo opened in 2019 it was the first new major zoo to be opened in Sydney for more than 100 years. Located about 35 minutes from the Ryde area, it is home to the largest Reptile and Nocturnal House in Australia, plus lots of African animals, primates, Asian animals, and, of cause, Aussie icons.

The state-of-the-art enclosures, carefully considered park design and sheer range of wildlife make it well worth the trip.

More info on Sydney Zoo here.

 

 

Symbio Wildlife Park

Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Helensburgh NSW (1-hour drive from Ryde)

Nestled on 16 picturesque acres of manicured gardens, Symbio is famous for providing genuine hands-on encounters with the most fascinating creatures from Australia and around the world.

Facilities at the park include undercover shelters, picnic areas, a large playground with large shady trees surrounding and Splash Park to cool down in the hot Summer months.

Being a smaller zoo, it’s an easy day for younger kids, with the whole park taking about 1 hour to see.

More info on Symbio here.

 

 

Taronga Zoo

Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman

The stunning views, the 100-year history, the conservation endeavours and the animal encounters are just some of the reasons we all love Taronga Zoo. Situated on 52 acres, you’ll need a full day to get around and visit the 4000+ animals living there. 

Get up close to tigers, take a ride in the cable car, watch the daily Bird Show set against the stunning Sydney Harbour, and so much more!

More info on Taronga Zoo here.

 

 

Wild Life Sydney Zoo

1-5 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour

Located just a ferry or bus ride away from the Ryde area, this small zoo is a great option for places to take kids or visitors. See the “big five” – kangaroos, crocodiles, koalas, wombats and platypuses – plus many more gorgeous animals to meet, feed and learn about at this harbourside zoo.

While you’re there, why not visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.

More info on Wild Life Sydney Zoo here.