Taking the family out to get up close and friendly with furry, feathered and four-legged friends has some pretty sweet benefits. It’s a chance for both kids and grown-ups to explore nature’s wonders and learn about conservation.
These visits also help us understand animals’ lives, and the importance of caring for them and our planet, and teach us kindness.
Whether it’s a zoo, nursery, or farm, it’s like stepping into a giant outdoor classroom filled with fun!
We’ve put together a list of fantastic spots in the Illawarra where you can mingle with these fab creatures. Check it out
Symbio Wildlife Park
Located right at the tippy top of the Illawarra in Helensburgh, Symbio is a family-owned and operated zoo with super-duper family-friendly vibes.
Here you can meet all your fave Aussie animals like koalas, skippies, wombats, dingoes and even crocs. It’s also home to cool exotic animals like meerkats and monkeys as well as hella cute ring-tailed lemurs and red pandas.
For the bird enthusiasts, there’s an excellent bird aviary and for the members of the fam who like ‘em slippery and scaly, there’s a reptile house to visit as well as goannas to check out.
It’s so easy to fill a day at Symbio, especially if you come in summer when the splash park is open, [hello school holiday adventure]. Entry to the splash park is included in your ticket and it has a large dump bucket to trick an unsuspecting parent with, plus spray guns, a water tunnel and loads of other interactive water play goodies.
There’s plenty of room to stretch out at Symbio with grassed picnic areas, shaded shelters and fixed tables and chairs. You can totally bring your own picnic basket and make it an all-day adventure. But hey, if that feels like a bit too much, no worries! They’ve got a kiosk on-site serving up hot and cold bites and treats.
Matilda’s Farmyard Nursery
Matilda’s is a mobile farmyard nursery that’s based in the Illawarra. You can book them for birthday parties, school and preschool visits, functions and event weddings [omg a farmyard guest for when you say I do, love it!].
But if you haven’t got any events coming up that you could hire them for it’s all good because you’ll also often find them at markets and special events around town.
Just recently we got to pet a piggy at the seaside markets in Kiama and not long ago there were cuddles all around with the goats at The Tavern at Links Shell Cove. Keep an eye out on their socials for their next appearance and prepare to squee your heart out at all the cutesy-wutesy little animal faces
Green Connect Farm
The incredible folks at Green Connect run this amazing permaculture farm in Warrawong. The farm doesn’t only produce excellent fruits and veggies they also run some animal-friendly events.
Book the gang in for a farm tour and you’ll not only learn what this farm is all about, you’ll get to meet goats, sheep, pigs and chickens and even offer them a little pat and a feed. We’d also like a little pat on our heads and a snacky too, if it’s going?
You can even book a farm party where little partygoers can visit the farm, meet the animals and get messy in the sand pit and mud garden.
This is a great opportunity to get hands-on with our furry and feathered farm friends and learn how they live that #farmlife.
Buena Vista Farm
This is a stunning family farm located in Gerringong that has an epic animal-friendly adventure… GOAT THERAPY! How flippin’ cool does that sound?
The goat therapy tours are available most Sunday mornings and bookings are essential. They usually run extra tours during the holidays so it’s a most excellent way to keep the little tikes happy during the school break.
Start by meeting the goats and giving them some goaty cuddles before saying hello to Bobby the horse, some pigs, chickens, turkey, geese and cows. Everyone gets to learn about small-scale farming, and sustainable agriculture and just get to hang out with super cute dairy goats. Too good.
Also, Buena Vista Farm run some pretty cool classes and events throughout the year so make sure to keep an eye out for what’s coming up.
Shoalhaven Zoo and Adventure World
This one’s just outside of the Illawarra in the north of Nowra but is still fairly easy to do in a day. They’ve got a diverse group of animals here from fluffy Koalas to lions and monkeys and meerkats… oh my!
You can even book in for an animal experience like feeding the lions or cuddling up to a koala and getting wrapped up in a snake, talk about ‘up close and personal’.
There are daily shows where you can see and learn about lots of different animals and there’s a BBQ area and takeaway kiosk to keep you and your little monkeys fed. There are even two adventure walks you can do around the zoo that offer gorgeous views of the Shoalhaven River.
The Woods Farm Jervis Bay
Ok, this one is more of a weekend than a day trip but it sounds lovely! Book a glamping tent or cottage here and spend the night out on the farm. Hang out with goats, horses, chickens, peacocks, alpacas, ponies and more. Plus meet the locals, around 60ish kangaroos and wallabies that also call the property home.
We love this one as a little family getaway with free bikes to roam on, a playground, giant yard games, a pool and a firepit for those snuggled-up evenings.
What a fun way to get the kids learning all about animal life whilst also relaxing [vino in hand possibly?] and making some good mems!
So, let’s all get our Dr Doolittle on and get out amongst the creatures great and small. And if you do happen to snap a cute animal selfie don’t forget to tag us so we can share that furry friend love too!
