The wildlife parks in Australia offer unforgettable experiences for animal lovers, from hands-on encounters to conservation-focused tours. Whether you are in the city or even exploring the vast remote regions, you can find a wildlife park suitable for every interest and age group.
Top Wildlife Parks in Australia
Renowned for its unique wildlife, Australia has a variety of exceptional wildlife parks and sanctuaries. Here, visitors can experience native animals up close. Below are some of the best:
Australia Zoo (Queensland)
Founded by Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter," Australia Zoo is one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. It is dedicated to wildlife conservation and education, offering interactive animal encounters and daily shows.
Highlights: Crocodile shows, koala cuddling, and a wide range of native and exotic animals.
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park (New South Wales)
Home to one of the largest collections of Australian native animals, Featherdale offers close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, and more.
Highlights: Hand-feeding kangaroos, meeting koalas, and educational talks.
Mogo Wildlife Park (New South Wales NSW)
Known for its rare and exotic animals, Mogo Wildlife Park is committed to conservation and breeding programs for endangered species.
Highlights: Lions, tigers, gorillas, and opportunities to get close to native wildlife.
Hunter Valley Wildlife Park (NSW)
Overview: Set in the picturesque Hunter Valley, this park features both Australian and exotic animals in naturalistic enclosures.
Highlights: Interactive animal experiences and a family-friendly environment.
Moonlit Sanctuary (Victoria VIC)
Located near Melbourne, Moonlit Sanctuary offers the chance to see Australian wildlife in a natural nocturnal setting.
Highlights: Night tours to see animals active after dark, including rare and endangered species.
Ballarat Wildlife Park (VIC)
Award-winning park known for its hands-on animal encounters and conservation efforts.
Highlights: Daily animal presentations, close-up experiences with kangaroos, koalas, and reptiles.
Cleland Wildlife Park (South Australia SA)
Located just outside Adelaide, Cleland is famous for its immersive, open-range environment where animals roam freely.
Highlights: Walk among kangaroos and emus, hold a koala, and see native birds.
Symbio Wildlife Park (NSW)
Located near Sydney, Symbio is highly regarded for its interactive wildlife experiences and family-friendly facilities.
Highlights: Meerkats, lemurs, tigers, cheetahs, and a splash park for kids.
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park (South Australia SA)
A sanctuary for many of the island’s unique species, including koalas, kangaroos, and echidnas.
Highlights: Conservation programs and up-close encounters with endangered animals.
Daintree Rainforest National Park (Queensland QLD)
While not a traditional wildlife park, Daintree is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best places to see Australia’s ancient flora and fauna in the wild.
Highlights: Guided tours to spot cassowaries, tree kangaroos, and other rare species.
Wildlife Animals found in Australia
Due to the isolated position of the Australian continent, almost all of the animals found here are endemic, that is, animals that are only found here. Many of them are familiar, such as the marsupial koalas and kangaroos, many more are still are little known and yet endangered, while it is likely some species have not yet been discovered.
Wildlife parks can be found not only in the major cities, but also in scenic places and wildlife preserves. You can also take cruises from places along the coast to see whales, seals and dolphins. This list is not exhaustive, it is growing.
Kangaroo Island, off the coast in South Australia - a third of the island has been dedicated to reserves, with both National Parks and Conservation Parks. You can commonly spot everything from koalas in the eucalypt trees to seals on the beach.
Raptor Domain at Seal Bay, also on Kangaroo Island, has an amazing collection of Australian Birds of Prey.
White Bellied Sea Eagle at Kangaroo Island - Raptor Domain features Kangaroo Island Birds of Prey
Next: World Heritage Sites in Australia
The Best Wildlife Parks in Australia
The wildlife parks in Australia offer unforgettable experiences for animal lovers, from hands-on encounters to conservation-focused tours. Whether you are in the city or even exploring the vast remote regions, you can find a wildlife park suitable for every interest and age group.
Top Wildlife Parks in Australia
Renowned for its unique wildlife, Australia has a variety of exceptional wildlife parks and sanctuaries. Here, visitors can experience native animals up close. Below are some of the best:
Australia Zoo (Queensland)
Founded by Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter," Australia Zoo is one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. It is dedicated to wildlife conservation and education, offering interactive animal encounters and daily shows.
Highlights: Crocodile shows, koala cuddling, and a wide range of native and exotic animals.
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park (New South Wales)
Home to one of the largest collections of Australian native animals, Featherdale offers close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, and more.
Highlights: Hand-feeding kangaroos, meeting koalas, and educational talks.
Mogo Wildlife Park (New South Wales NSW)
Known for its rare and exotic animals, Mogo Wildlife Park is committed to conservation and breeding programs for endangered species.
Highlights: Lions, tigers, gorillas, and opportunities to get close to native wildlife.
Hunter Valley Wildlife Park (NSW)
Overview: Set in the picturesque Hunter Valley, this park features both Australian and exotic animals in naturalistic enclosures.Highlights: Interactive animal experiences and a family-friendly environment.
Moonlit Sanctuary (Victoria VIC)
Located near Melbourne, Moonlit Sanctuary offers the chance to see Australian wildlife in a natural nocturnal setting.
Highlights: Night tours to see animals active after dark, including rare and endangered species.
Ballarat Wildlife Park (VIC)
Award-winning park known for its hands-on animal encounters and conservation efforts.
Highlights: Daily animal presentations, close-up experiences with kangaroos, koalas, and reptiles.
Cleland Wildlife Park (South Australia SA)
Located just outside Adelaide, Cleland is famous for its immersive, open-range environment where animals roam freely.
Highlights: Walk among kangaroos and emus, hold a koala, and see native birds.
Symbio Wildlife Park (NSW)
Located near Sydney, Symbio is highly regarded for its interactive wildlife experiences and family-friendly facilities.
Highlights: Meerkats, lemurs, tigers, cheetahs, and a splash park for kids.
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park (South Australia SA)
A sanctuary for many of the island’s unique species, including koalas, kangaroos, and echidnas.
Highlights: Conservation programs and up-close encounters with endangered animals.
Daintree Rainforest National Park (Queensland QLD)
While not a traditional wildlife park, Daintree is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best places to see Australia’s ancient flora and fauna in the wild.
Highlights: Guided tours to spot cassowaries, tree kangaroos, and other rare species.
Wildlife Animals found in Australia
Due to the isolated position of the Australian continent, almost all of the animals found here are endemic, that is, animals that are only found here. Many of them are familiar, such as the marsupial koalas and kangaroos, many more are still are little known and yet endangered, while it is likely some species have not yet been discovered.
The Echidna
Australian Seals
Australian Fauna
More Wildlife Parks around Australia
Wildlife parks can be found not only in the major cities, but also in scenic places and wildlife preserves. You can also take cruises from places along the coast to see whales, seals and dolphins. This list is not exhaustive, it is growing.
New South Wales NSW
Northern Territory NT
Saltwater Crocodiles
Queensland QLD
South Australia SA
Kangaroo Island, off the coast in South Australia - a third of the island has been dedicated to reserves, with both National Parks and Conservation Parks. You can commonly spot everything from koalas in the eucalypt trees to seals on the beach.
Raptor Domain at Seal Bay, also on Kangaroo Island, has an amazing collection of Australian Birds of Prey.
Tasmania TAS
Victoria VIC
Western Australia WA
Australian Wildlife
National Parks Feral Animals
Magpies Australia
Previous: Travelling the Australian Outback
Topic: Australia National Parks
Main Photo: White Bellied Sea Eagle at Kangaroo Island - Raptor Domain features Kangaroo Island Birds of Prey
Photo: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (Tourism Australia)