Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park?
What makes it 92% Kids-Friendly: Children under 12 can safely hand-feed kangaroos, pat koalas, watch short keeper shows, play in farmyard; wide ramps, toilets and café suit breaks; most extras permit their age.
Positives:
- Family-Friendly Facilities: Wide paths, stroller ramps, picnic areas, and baby-change rooms make the park easy for families.
- Included Animal Encounters: Koala sanctuary, lorikeet aviary, and farmyard petting are all complimentary.
Challenges:
- Peak-Time Crowds: The park fills up during school holidays and weekends, leading to wait times at popular enclosures.
- Summer Heat: Limited shade on some paths can make midday summer visits hot; bring hats and water.
- Age Limits on Extras: Paid encounters like Penguin and Koala Kindy have minimum age rules—check before booking.
What is Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park?
- A wildlife park on Sydney’s western fringe dedicated to the conservation and display of Australia’s native fauna
- Housing over 1,700 individuals across more than 300 species of birds, mammals and reptiles, including kangaroos, koalas and rare reptiles
- Occupying a natural bushland site with purpose-built habitats, a café, picnic areas and educational facilities
What is so special about Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park for with kids?
- Meet koalas in the walk-through sanctuary and learn from keepers.
- Feed rainbow lorikeets and kangaroos for hands-on fun.
- Enjoy complimentary farmyard petting perfect for younger kids.
- Plan around daily keeper talks to engage children with wildlife stories.
- Use stroller-friendly paths and picnic areas for a relaxed family visit.
Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours
Why 2–3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Gives enough time to explore key enclosures, enjoy keeper talks, and have a relaxed feed without rushing with young kids.
Kids-Friendly Activities in Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Walk-through Koala Sanctuary:
Stroll among koalas and learn from keepers about their habits.
Tip: Visit around feeding times (9–10 am or 3–4 pm) when koalas are most active.
Feed Rainbow Lorikeets:
Hand-feed colorful lorikeets in the open aviary.
Tip: Pick up small cups of nectar feed at the aviary entrance early to avoid queues.
Farmyard Encounter:
Meet and pat goats, ducks, and chickens in the farmyard area.
Tip: Head there right after opening to beat the weekend crowds.
Hand-feed Kangaroos:
Buy a cup of roo food to feed kangaroos and wallabies in the free-roam area.
Tip: Hold the cup low so young joeys can reach easily.
Daily Wildlife Presentations:
Watch short keeper talks on wombats, reptiles, and birds.
Tip: Grab a show schedule at the entrance and plan your route around the times.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
- Buy Online: Purchase tickets online for a 10% discount and skip the ticket queue.
- Early Arrival: Arrive at opening (8 am) for quieter enclosures and cooler temperatures.
- Bring a Picnic: Use free barbecues and shaded tables to save on café purchases.
- Plan Talks: Pick up the keeper talk schedule to catch shows without backtracking.
Reviews of Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
khrhms
Affordable place to bring your little kids and especially if you’re an animal lover. You can get up close the different native Australian animals. They look well taken care of and because it’s a sanctuary (and not a zoo), they have some pretty strict rules. I enjoyed my visit here very much, wished I had bought the kangaroo food before they sold out though. Friendly staff as well who will give exp...
John Strachan
My wife and I visited Featherdale Wildlife Park and it was one of the highlights of our visit to Australia. Definitely 5 stars! We were thrilled to see so many animals native to Australia - animals that we had never seen before. All of the employees were helpful and pleasant. You could tell the animals were well taken care of. Being able to interact with the Kangaroos was incredible. The photo op ...
Bennie Ai
We visited the zoo with our family, including relatives who came all the way from Singapore, and everyone had a wonderful time! The atmosphere was great, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout our visit. The kids especially had a blast — they were so excited to see the animals and loved exploring every part of the zoo. They even got little “passports” stamped at different stations, wh...
RC
Definitely 5 stars! I had never seen many of the animals here. I felt like a big kid who was discovering new things. The photo op with the koala was priceless. The layout could be better, but there was a map to assist. The gift shop had since good deals. I’d 100% recommend this place.
Jessica Richmond
The best experience ever. Honestly a dream come true to feed quokkas and have them cuddle in my lap. Feeding the wombats and kangaroos were also amazing. If you're looking for a way to see Australian animals up close this is how you do it.
When is the best time to visit Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park (Sydney, Australia)?
Arrive early in summer for cooler temps and active animals. Use shade and drink often. In winter, midday visits are more comfortable. School holidays bring crowds—visit on weekdays if you can.
Explore These Activities
Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (16+) | AUD 44 |
| Child ticket (3–15) | AUD 28 |
| Roo food cup | AUD 3 |
| Souvenir budget | AUD 20 |
| Total Estimated | AUD 170 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Address: 217 Kildare Rd, Doonside NSW 2767, Australia
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About Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+61 2 9622 1644Explore Popular Things to Do
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