Farms, Zoos & Aquariums! Amazing Animal Encounters around Sydney

Looking for a memorable animal encounter? Most children adore the chance to cuddle up to a friendly kangaroo or pat a baby duckling…and let’s be honest, most adults get a kick out of it too! If your family loves all creatures great and small, try one of these animal encounters on and around the North Shore where you can meet and greet cows, penguins, kangaroos, tigers, meerkats and so much more!

1. Calmsley Hill City Farm

Calmsley Hill City Farm

The ‘inner city’ farm at Abbotsbury offers kids the chance to hand-milk cows, get up close and personal with a penful of goats, pat baby bunnies and ducklings, and wander through an enclosure where you can feed a gang of kangaroos as they hop around you. Bring your own picnic lunch and use their free electric BBQs, or purchase food at their Farmhouse Kiosk, while you enjoy the beautiful grounds.

There are also interactive shows and demonstrations, including sheep shearing, cow milking, and whip cracking, or you can head off and take a tractor ride around the farm.

Address: 31 Darling St, Abbotsbury NSW 2176
Website: Calmsley Hill City Farm

2. Golden Ridge Animal Farm

Located in Dural, Golden Ridge Animal Farm offers daily tours which allow you to hand-feed very enthusiastic sheep, goats, guinea pigs, llamas and more – plus cuddle up to ducklings, chickens and baby bunnies before trying your hand at milking a cow! If you’re looking for a little more adventure you can enjoy a pony ride, or try your hand at egg collecting from the chicken coups.

Each session is two hours and they run several sessions a day, where you get to head off on a self-paced tour and hand-feed over 200 animals.

Address: 686 Old Northern Road, Dural
Website: Golden Ridge Animal Farm

3. Nancy’s Freedom Farm

Nancy’s Freedom Farm

Teach your children that eggs don’t come from the supermarket fridge with a trip to Nancy’s Freedom Farm, where you can hand-collect warm, fresh eggs from the friendly chooks and bottle feed a variety of baby animals, plus play with Nancy’s incredible farm dogs.

You can collect your own eggs, straight from the nesting boxes and interact with the world’s friendliest farm animals. Nancy and her crew will be on-hand to answer any questions and provide a unique farm life experience. Open every weekend for a “Farm Visit” which involves animal petting and egg collecting!

Address: 97 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia NSW 2159
Website: Nancy’s Freedom Farm

4. Amazement Farm & Fun Park

Amazement Farm & Fun Park

Offering farm stays, animal encounters plus a huge barn cafe and a ‘magical maze’ the Amazement Farm and Fun Park has loads to do. The horse and cart ride is a must, then let the kids get lost in the maze while you sneak a coffee!

There is also the bird sanctuary area, kids’ playground area, rhinoplay unit, yard activities, sporting games, giant board games, Maze terrace cafe, picnic areas and much, much more. It’s a fun family day out for the whole clan.

Address: 170 Yarramalong Rd, Wyong Creek
Website: Amazement Farm & Fun Park

5. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

For kids who love getting up close with little critters, the rock pool is your best bet – kids can dip their hands in to touch and feel the sea life and rock formations. But don’t miss the dramatic stingray and shark feeding sessions in the tunnel, plus the little penguin show in the atrium.

It’s a great opportunity for the kids to learn as well. Educational presentations and feeding sessions offer insights into marine conservation and the importance of preserving these fragile ecosystems.

Address: 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Website: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

6. Wildlife Sydney Zoo

Where else can you touch a butterfly, cuddle a koala, see a snake and check out a cassowary? These animals are all on offer at Wildlife Sydney Zoo, right in the heart of Sydney’ CBD in Darling Harbour.

Enjoy interactive experiences like animal encounters, where you can touch and learn about the animals with the guidance of experienced keepers. Throughout the visit, knowledgeable staff provide insights into the animals’ behaviours and conservation efforts. You can even sit down to breakfast right next to the koalas!

Address: Darling Harbour (next to Sea Life Aquarium)
Website: Wildlife Sydney Zoo

7. Sydney Zoo

Tiger Encounter at Sydney Zoo

Sydney Zoo offers a huge range of animal encounters. No matter what zoo animal you love, they’re sure to have an encounter to help you get up close and personal! Choose from koala, squirrel monkey, tiger, elephant, giraffe, lion, meerkat, camels, reptiles.

Best bits? Kids can become a Mini Zookeeper For a Day! Designed for 8-12 year olds, this program takes kids behind-the-scenes to experience a day in the life of a zookeeper.

Address: 700 Great Western Highway, Bungarribee
Website: Sydney Zoo

8. Taronga Zoo

Come eye-to-eye with Taronga’s incredible animals. Book an Animal Encounter for a thrilling experience on your next visit… like a capybara, koala, giraffe, elephant and meerkats. Whether it’s meeting a friendly koala, hand-feeding a giraffe, or interacting with adorable penguins, the Animal Encounters provide a rare opportunity to connect with wildlife in a meaningful way.

Whether you’re hand-feeding a kangaroo, observing the grace of a Sumatran tiger, or marveling at the intelligence of an orangutan, there’s plenty to keep the family busy. Top it all off with a play at the farmyard, where you can even enjoy water play in the summer months.

Address: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
Website: Taronga Zoo

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Rachel Chappell

Rachel Chappell is the Founder & Publisher of North Shore Mums, your go-to for advice, support and inspiration for parenting, mumlife, and kids’ events on Sydney’s North Shore. She's a mum of three daughters.

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Farms, Zoos & Aquariums! Amazing Animal Encounters around Sydney