Best family-friendly farms near Sydney for a fun day out with kids

Looking for the best farms near Sydney? If your children get excited at seeing the little ducklings, rabbits or goats whenever a kindifarm or petting zoo comes to the local fete or market, a trip to a ‘real’ farm is a whole lot better! We’ve compiled a list of the closest farms near Sydney, so your kids can experience the real thing…

Looking for a fun day out with the kids? You don’t have to travel too far from Sydney to enjoy the country life. We have put together a guide of the best farms near North Shore for you to explore. Simply use the quicklinks below to find the best family-friendly farms near Sydney.

Golden Ridge Animal Farm

Feeding the goats at Golden Ridge Animal Farm

Golden Ridge Animal Farm has a large variety of friendly farm animals, most of which have been hand raised on the farm – everything from small pet mice up to the big bulls! Arrive in the morning for the 2-hour organised Farm Tours – where you can feed the animals ($5 for a large tub of feed), milk cows, bottle-feed goats and cuddle baby animals, plus you’re free to explore the farm after the organised activities. They sometimes have a bouncy castle and pony rides ($5 extra). The Feed Shed serves coffee, drinks, snacks and meals, but you are also welcome to pack a picnic.

Address: 686 Old Northern Road, Dural NSW
Entry Fees: 2-hour visit is $25 adults & children (age 1+). Book your session online then pay cash or card on arrival.
Open: Mon-Fri: 10am-2pm | Sat & Sun: 10.30am-3pm
Website: www.goldenridgeanimalfarm.com.au

Calmsley Hill City Farm

Meet Daisy the Dairy Cow at Calmsley Hill City Farm

At Calmsley Hill you can get up close to a range of native and farmyard animals. It makes a great family day out! Be a farmer for the day, learn how to milk a cow and feed the animals in the farmyard nursery. There are daily shows to enjoy, which include patting the animals, stock whip show, working dog show and more. You can bring your own picnic lunch, bring some sausages and use their electric BBQ’s or simply buy take-away food from the Farmhouse Kiosk.

Address: 31 Darling Street Abbotsbury
Entry Fees: $30.50 adults, $16.50 children (3-16 years), $93 family (2 adults, 3 kids)
Open: Mon – Fri: 9am-3pm | Saturday & Sunday, 9am-4pm & Public Holidays.
www.calmsleyhill.com.au

Amazement Farm & Fun Park

From magical mazes to friendly farm animals and many more amazing attractions and activities on offer. The Amazement Farm and Fun Park is a world of fun for the whole family.

Explore their multiple magical mazes, friendly farm animals, scheduled petting shows, pony rides (extra $8). You can also purchase animal feed ($3) and enjoy a reptile hold experience ($15). 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.

Address: 170 Yarramalong Road, Wyong Creek (45 mins drive along M1 from Wahroonga)
Entry Fees: $36 adults, $24 children (3-15 years), $110 family (2 adults, 2 kids)
Open: Wednesday – Sunday, 9:30am – 4pm, plus every day during School Holidays.
www.amazement.com.au

Nancy’s Freedom Farm

Nancy’s Freedom Farm

Nancy’s Freedom Farm is a family-owned and operated Free-Range Farm. For over 15 years Nancy aims to provide a fun and educational experience for people of all ages! They have a large variety of friendly farm animals, most of which have been hand raised on the farm or rescued. They have goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and the farm’s dogs and cats.

If you’re looking for farms near Sydney, Nancy’s Freedom Farm is just a 20-minute drive from Hornsby, where cuddles are waiting! Open all weekend for animal petting and egg collecting. Bookings are essential.

Address: 97 Arcadia Road, Arcadia
Entry Fees: $20 per adult and child
Open: Saturday & Sunday: 11am-1pm – Open everyday for egg purchases
https://www.facebook.com/nancysfreedomfarm

Backyard to Bush at Taronga Zoo

At the Backyard to Bush Farm at Taronga Zoo, you’ll meet sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks and more! Get up close and personal with rabbits, guinea pigs and more daily at 10.30am and farm feeding is on daily at 2pm. There is a great new playground in this area too, which includes lots of water-splashing fun (be sure to pack a spare pair of clothes in case the kids get wet!). Inside Taronga Zoo, you can of course make your way around the venue and check out all the other amazing animals they have. Pack a picnic and enjoy some great harbour views while you are there.

Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman
Cost: $45.90 adults, $27 children (4-15). If you live nearby, the best value is an annual Zoo Friends membership (a great Birthday or Christmas present)!
Website: taronga.org.au

Rouse Hill House & Farm

This house and farm have been owned by six generations of one family over the years. Today, you can head to the farm and find out about the fascinating history of Rouse Hill House & Farm, which also features the restored 1888 Rouse Hill schoolhouse, a section of the original Windsor Road turnpike proclaimed by Governor Macquarie in 1813, and the site of the doomed 1804 ‘Vinegar Hill’ convict rebellion. Take a farmyard tour to explore the stables and meet the chooks, ‘Pudding’ the cow, and horses Larry and Ziggy. Ring the schoolhouse bell and explore the 19th century school room with its animal specimens, piano and blackboard. There’s plenty to see and do!

Where: 356 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill
Cost: Adult $15, Concession $12, Family $38, FREE for members and children under 5 years
Open: Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
Website: sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/rouse-hill-house-farm

The Grounds of Alexandria

While this isn’t exactly a rural farm, it is a great nearby spot to go to see some animals, while also being able to sit back and enjoy a nice cup of coffee. You’ll love your visit to the animal farm in The Grounds Garden. You’ll find some cheeky chickens and Russel Crow the Rooster in The Garden. They often have their farm friends visiting too so keep an eye out for them. In The Potting Shed you’ll also find Fluffy, the Macaw. The Grounds of Alexandria also host plenty of events throughout the year, so be sure to check their website and plan your visit.

Where: Building 7A, 2 Huntley St, Alexandria
Cost: Free
Open: The Garden is open from 7.30am – 3pm Monday to Friday, or 8am – 3.30pm on weekends.
Website: thegrounds.com.au

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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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