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Animal & Wildlife Experiences

around SE Queensland

Updated: Oct 31, 2024

South-east Queensland is spoilt for choice when it comes to getting up-close-and-personal with creatures great and small at local animal farms, wildlife parks and animal centres.

Some of them you'll discover right in our own backyard, and some are an easy drive away from Brisbane, making for a great day out for the entire family to enjoy.

With so much to experience, these small, animal-focussed businesses are well worth a visit to learn more about our amazing Australian native animals plus farm animals and introduced species. And take the camera... the number of Instagrammable pics is limitless!

Delightfully so for the foodies in the fam, a number of the farms even stock their own range of products made onsite to enjoy - think award-winning cheese, creamy home-made gelato and more thanks to their resident goats, sheep and camels. So, pack the esky and relish in the knowledge that you know exactly where your food was produced.

Don't forget to ask about family entry passes, as well as annual passes so you can keep going back to say hello!

Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm is a unique day out experience for families
Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket is a must do experience for tourists and locals alike
Naughty Little Kids Farm opens on Sundays for goat feeding and milking, a petting zoo and goats milk gelato
Spend a laid-back day feeding and cuddling farm animals at White Ridge Farm, Moreton Bay’s most popular animal farm attraction, with llamas, alpacas and
Stroll through iconic natural habitats to meet the resident wildlife at this unique Gold Coast wildlife park
A delightful discovery for all ages, the Bribie Island Butterfly House is a sanctuary that is good for the soul
Trevena Glen provides an ideal opportunity for Brisbane families to experience life on a working animal farm
Summer Land Camels makes for a fascinating day trip and unique farm experience for families, just 45 minutes from Brisbane
Located just east of Nambour, Butterfly Hill offers visitors to the Sunshine Coast a spot to hang out amidst some of nature’s gorgeous aerial artists
This fabulous wildlife nature centre is possibly Ipswich city's best kept secret.
Roam around with a herd of llamas at Ipswich's very own Llama Farm
Daisy Hill Koala Centre is a dedicated koala education centre located in Daisy Hill Conservation Park south of Brisbane
The Gold Coast Butterflies hobby farm is a charming little place sure to cause a flutter of excitement in young and old alike
This gem of a little animal centre is ideal for young children, visitors, the time poor and anyone wanting a close view of native wild life without the expense

By Danella Perrins

Looking for more ideas to get out and about with kids, check out our guide to 10 Great Botanic Gardens in SEQ, and where you can go to for the best bushwalks for kids around Brisbane.

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