Wild Encounters
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
Have you ever fed a kangaroo, snorkelled with a sea turtle, or cuddled up to a rescued lamb? In our corner of Australia — from the Byron Bay hinterland to the Gold Coast and all the way to the sparkling sea — wild animals are waiting to meet you. Here are the very best places to get nose-to-nose with nature, make incredible memories and learn how we can all help protect the creatures we share this beautiful land with.
PAWS & CLAWS
From hinterland sanctuaries to working farms, these brilliant spots are all about furry cuddles and close encounters.
Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary | Knockrow
Home to more than 100 animals, Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Australia’s most extraordinary native animal sanctuaries. The Sanctuary is a non-profit dedicated to Australian wildlife and education, where kangaroos, koalas, snakes and a wombat named Manda all call home.
Kids can hand-feed roos and emus, watch free-flight bird shows and learn about our scaly reptile friends. For something extra special, book a one-on-one encounter with Socrates the barn owl, or meet sugar gliders Sebastian and Samson — they’re teeny tiny and oh so cute!
School holiday programs cater for all ages: Puggles Kids Club (5–8), Wildlife Guardians (8–12) and Keeper for a Day (12–18) let budding animal lovers go behind the scenes with the keepers. Every dollar spent goes straight back into conservation.
Good to know: Book encounters ahead — spaces fill fast, especially in school holidays.
The Farm Byron Bay | Byron Bay
The Farm Byron Bay is a real working farm — and the animals here are very much part of the action. Get up close with the heritage black pigs, who love to wallow in mud baths and chat away in their own vocabulary of oinks, grunts and squeals. Say hello to the free-range chickens, watch the grass-fed beef cattle graze across the paddocks, and discover the beehives buzzing with life in the garden.
Farm Kids programs turn school holiday visits into hands-on adventures — collecting eggs, feeding the animals, picking veggies and learning how a real farm works. New to The Farm is Equi Kids, offering pony rides on weekends for all ages and abilities, and Equi Kids Pony Club every Sunday. It’s a dream come true for horsey kids.
Good to know: Check the website for current school holiday workshop dates and Equi Kids session times.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary | Currumbin
A Gold Coast icon for almost 80 years, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in Australia to get up close with native animals, furry and scaly, big and small. It’s home to koalas, crocodiles, kangaroos, wombats and dozens more incredible creatures.
The signature experience is the immersive Koala Habitat — a purpose-built walk-through sanctuary where koalas snooze and lounge in the treetops above you. Book ahead for Breakfast with Koalas, the Capybara Encounter (they’re the world’s biggest rodent and they’re adorable!), or the Cotton-Top Tamarin Encounter in the lush Lost Valley habitat. Wildlife shows run daily with experiences catering to all ages, plus every dollar you spend here supports conservation and the on-site wildlife hospital.
Good to know: Pre-book encounters — spaces are limited and they sell out fast.
Paradise Country | Oxenford
Equal parts farm adventure and wildlife wonderland, Paradise Country is the only place on the Gold Coast where you can meet meerkats and marmoset monkeys — and book exclusive encounters with both! Set on a sprawling outback-themed farm in Oxenford, it’s a brilliant day out for animal-loving families.
The Koala Encounter is a highlight — a behind-the-scenes experience where wildlife keepers introduce you to these sleepy icons. On weekends, book the Koala Breakfast for the full treat. Visit the Animal Nursery to meet lambs, goat kids and guinea pigs, watch rainbow lorikeets swoop in for feeding time, and catch the stockhorse show in the arena. It’s Australiana in the most fun way possible. Part of Village Roadshow Theme Parks, multi-park passes offer great value for a Gold Coast family holiday.
Good to know: Book animal encounters online before you arrive — they’re limited and popular.
Historic Rivermill | Gold Coast Hinterland
Tucked beside the Coomera River in the Gold Coast hinterland, Historic Rivermill is a gorgeous family-owned farm where animals and adventures go hand in hand. The petting zoo is a favourite — meet friendly alpacas, curious goats, a cheeky resident pig, and spot turtles gliding through the river right on the property.
Pick up a pot of animal feed from the cafe ($4) and choose your encounter — alpacas and goats share the same menu, while the turtles have their own special diet. Young equestrians will love the scenic horse-riding experience on the Peruvian Paso horses, a unique breed with a famously smooth, gentle gait that’s perfect for kids and beginners.
Good to know: Free weekend entry is available throughout 2026 — register on the website before you visit.
FINS & THINGS
Grab your fins and your sense of wonder, because the ocean around here is full of extraordinary creatures just waiting to be discovered.
Snorkel With Sea Turtles | Tweed Coast
Imagine drifting through crystal-clear water as a real sea turtle glides right past you. With Watersports Guru, that actually happens! Their Snorkel with Turtles experience takes you to Cook Island Aquatic Reserve — a stunning marine sanctuary just a 15-minute boat ride from Fingal Head — where green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles live among hard and soft coral gardens.
The 2.5-hour adventure includes up to 90 minutes in the water with an expert guide, plus all gear: wetsuit, snorkel mask, fins, life jacket and flotation device. Groups are kept to just nine people. Between June and October, upgrade to the Big 3 of the Sea to also spot humpback whales on migration and local bottlenose dolphin pods — it’s unforgettable!
Important: Swimmers must be able to swim 100 metres. Not suitable for children under 6. Ages 6–14 must be accompanied by an adult in the water.
Out of the Blue Adventures | Ballina
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales make their epic migration along our coastline, and Out of the Blue Adventures puts your family right in the middle of it. Departing from Ballina’s Richmond River and cruising into the pristine waters of Cape Byron Marine Park, this two-hour adventure is pure magic for kids and grown-ups alike. Watch in awe as these giants of the ocean breach, tail-slap and spy-hop right alongside the boat — adults can reach 14–18 metres and weigh 50 tonnes, so the scale alone is jaw-dropping. Every cruise is guided by a qualified marine biologist who makes the experience as educational as it is unforgettable. A whale sighting is guaranteed from June to October, or you come back for free.
Good to know: Minimum age is 5 years. Book ahead — spots fill fast during school holidays.
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