Zoos and wildlife parks to visit in the school holidays
Image credit: Jordan Whitt on Unsplash
School holidays – they’re a time of great fun for kids, so why not parents too?
Getting the family out of the house and doing something together is a fantastic way to spend the time off, and what better thing to do than go and see native and exotic animals at the many zoo and wildlife parks Australia has to offer.
No matter what part of the country you hail from, there are plenty of options to choose from. Find somewhere to visit in your state:
Probably one of the most famous zoos in Australia, Taronga Zoo has one of the most breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, as well as a huge range of wildlife from all corners of the globe, thoughtfully crafted exhibits and entertaining educational shows. A day at Taronga is truly a trip around the world when it comes to learning about animals, and there are plenty of interactive exhibits and shows to get your kids excited. Plus, the ferry trip there and Sky Safari is a fantastic way to see Sydney.
Symbio Wildlife Park boasts an incredible variety of animals from the classic Australian natives like koalas, kangaroos and dingoes, through to reptiles, cheetahs, meerkats and monkeys. These well-loved animals aren’t the only thing Symbio has going for it though – it also boasts a Splash Park that you have free access to as part of your entry ticket, an adventure playground, and the Symbio Farmyard where you can hand-feed all the farmyard favourites.
Who says you have to go far to visit a wildlife park? Wild Life Sydney is right in the heart of Sydney, the perfect visit to round off a school holidays adventure into Sydney CBD. Nestled in Darling Harbour amongst Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney has some of Australia’s most beloved creatures, as well as some of the most endangered creatures in the world.
Further up north, Port Macquarie is known for caring about animals with their Koala Hospital and the Billabong Zoo. If you’re keen to learn more about conservation, this is the place to do it. Billabong Zoo have their own world-renowned koala breeding program, on top of over 200 animals who are being cared for in the park. They’ve even got an Adopt a Koala program, where you can adopt and support your own koala while helping Billabong Zoo’s mission to reinvigorate the native koala population.
It’s hard to go past Australia Zoo. Owned by the beloved Irwin family and one of the most visited zoos in the world, Australia Zoo has a strong culture of conservation and animal habitats that cater to each animal as well as giving guests the ability to get up close and personal. There are plenty of animal conservation shows, encounters and even a zoo keeper for a day program for the kids.
The world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine is the perfect place to go if you and your family are a fan of Australia’s most iconic, and arguably cuddliest, animal. Opened in 1927 when wild koalas were still being culled for the fur trade, Lone Pine has a long-standing and well-earned reputation of conservation and protection. With their Junior Keeper For a Day and Sanctuary Sprouts programs, your kids will get a unique chance to learn and play at this incredible sanctuary.
It’s hard to think of Queensland without thinking of the Great Barrier Reef. So, no surprise that Townsville is the home of the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. With thousands of marine creatures, REEF HQ takes you on a tour of one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world – while staying dry! Your family will get to learn more about this incredible natural wonder, as well as the work that’s going into protecting and managing the Reef and what you can do to help.
Not for the faint of heart, Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome turns it up a notch with the world’s first challenge ropes course in a wildlife park. You’ll be traversing ropes challenges over and through exhibits, including one directly over their 4-metre saltwater crocodile! This is wildlife as you’ve never seen before. Plus, there’s also a Dome Climb where you can look out over Cairns from all angles.
Your family will become globe-trotters at Melbourne Zoo with its various animal exhibits organised around the different areas the animals come from, from the Australian Bush to the Lion Gorge, Gorilla Rainforest and Trail of Elephants. Make sure you’ve got some comfy shoes, with so much to see and do it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring at Melbourne Zoo.
An African-themed zoo, the Weribee Open Range Zoo will make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a whole other part of the world. They have an all-ages free safari bus that will take you through the savannah with a guide that will teach you all about the incredible range of Asian, North American and African animals they have – including some of the world’s most endangered species.
The Healesville Sanctuary is home to many of our incredible native species, from the wetlands to the desert to the skies. It’s also incredibly family friendly, with regular entertainment events held in their picnic area and free entry for kids under 16 on weekends, Victorian public holidays and during the Victorian Government school holidays.
Another city zoo, the Perth Zoo lets you learn plenty about their animals, which come from all over Australia, Africa and Asia. As well as animal encounters, educational experiences and Walk and Talk tours, they also offer a guided tour that you can book on their zebra-themed electric vehicle.
Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre is focused on rescue and rehabilitation as well as educating people on reptiles and native wildlife. They also do a lot of work as a rescue centre, helping animals that have been brought in who are sick or injured, so you know that your admission fee will be going towards a great cause.
In the heart of the Adelaide CBD, Adelaide Zoo wants to help your family connect with nature and animals from near and far. It also has Australasia’s only Giant Pandas, and you can even hand feed them! As well as these gentle giants there are over 2,500 animals that you can see as you walk through the jungle-like botanic gardens.
The South Australian outback has been transformed into the African wild plains for Monarto Safari Park. With more than 70% of the species at the park threatened with extinction in the wild, Monarto stands as an inspiration and example of the importance of animal conservation and environmental management.
Love land-dwelling and aquatic animals? You can see them all in the same place at the National Zoo and Aquarium. Home to lots of local and international animals, the National Zoo and Aquarium offer plenty of encounter options, kids programs and even an onsite Wildlife Lodge you can stay in, where you’ll be sleeping right next to the animal enclosures.
This one’s for the bird lovers. The Canberra Walk-In Aviary lets you walk amongst approximately 500 birds over 60 different species from Australia and around the world. You’ll get food that you can offer the birds, tempting them to come to meet you and even land on you. So if your family are a fan of feathered friends, this is the perfect way to learn more and get a snap with some of the stars of the skies.
The Australian desert is a truly unique ecosystem and the Alice Springs Desert Park is dedicated to bringing the experience of that uniqueness to you. With three distinct desert habitats – Desert Rivers, Sand Country and Woodland – your family will be able to experience desert life as it truly is. They’re also closely connected to the local Arrernte people and embrace their stories and history to create a full experience of the land and environment.
The Northern Territory is famous for their crocodiles, so it’s no surprise they’ve got their very own wildlife attraction. Home to the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles and the only crocodile dive experience, you have the chance to swim next to some of these terrifying but incredible animals in the Cage of Death. With a minimum age restriction of 15 years and those under 18 needing adult accompaniment, this is best for older kids or parents.
If you’re looking to learn more about Tasmanian animals, you can’t go past the Tasmania Zoo. They’ve got the largest collection of native and exotic animals throughout the region, including critically endangered species, and are the only zoo in Australia to exhibit the endangered Black Crested Macaque. They’ve also got a dedicated conservation breeding program of Eastern Province Devils, so your family can get the amazing experience of seeing these endangered animals up close.
Set in the hinterlands amongst the bushland of the Coal River Tier, Zoodoo isn’t just focused on the animals in their care, but also the animals and plantation in the area around the zoo including the Tasmanian Devils, Quolls and Eucalyptus trees. With this approach, and the interactive conservation centre and keeper for a day program, there’s plenty for your kids to learn about how to properly care for animals and the environment.
Want to get into nature before or after your trip to see the animals? Check out the nature documentaries available on Netflix via Optus SubHub.
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