We are lucky to have some wonderful animal experiences in South East Queensland. This guide to the best farms and zoos in the area includes family-friendly farms, zoos and animal encounters in and around Brisbane, including easy day trips to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
I will keep adding to this list as I visit new places. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out!
Australia Zoo
Perhaps Australia’s most famous zoo, Australia Zoo is Steve Irwin’s legacy. Home to a good selection of Australian, Asian and African animals and an awful lot of crocodiles, this zoo sits on a huge complex on the Sunshine Coast.
For the kids, the Zookeeper for a Day programs are excellent.
Read all about our experience.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine is one of Brisbane’s most iconic wildlife experiences, offering the chance to see koalas up close, hand-feed kangaroos and meet lots more native Australian animals just minutes from the city.
It’s a very family-friendly destination and attracts both locals and travelling families.
Looking for more family friendly things to do in Brisbane? I’ve got heaps of ideas here.
Sea World Gold Coast
Sea World is an aquatic zoo and theme park on the Gold Coast, offering a full day out from Brisbane. The highlight of the park is the marine animals, including the king penguins, polar bears, dolphins and seals.
Read my full guide to Sea World.
Right next to Sea World is the best high tea on the Gold Coast. Kid-friendly too! And if you like high teas, check out my guide to the best high teas in Brisbane.
SEA LIFE Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is a compact aquarium in Mooloolaba with all the marine wildlife you’d expect to see, including turtles, seals, penguins, sharks and stingrays.
The highlight is the underwater walk-through tunnel with massive rays and sharks swimming all around you.
Read all about our experience at the SEA LIFE Aquarium.
White Ridge Farm
On a smaller scale, White Ridge Farm is located just north of Brisbane and is firmly geared towards younger kids, with tractor rides, playgrounds, mini golf and of course the beautiful farm animals including cows, chickens, alpacas, pigs and camels.
This is a smaller farm which packs a lot of activities in.
Read my full guide to White Ridge Farm.
Why not finish your day with a cold beer while the kids play. Have a look at my list of the best pubs in Brisbane with a playground.
Summer Land Camels
Summer Land Camels is a working camel farm and dairy located in the Scenic Rim, just one hour from Brisbane, Certainly one of the most unique animal experiences around, not only can you feed the camels, but you can go on a camel ride and sample a range of camel milk products in the cafe.
Read my guide to Summer Land Camels.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram so you can watch videos of all these places!
Bird World
Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World has a stunning setting overlooking the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Glass House Mountains. Here you’ll find beautiful gardens and farm animals, but the main attraction is the walk-through aviary, where you’ll meet some colourful tropical birds – and there’s a good chance they’ll land right on your head.
Read my guide to Maleny’s Bird World.
The Ekka
Queensland’s largest annual event held every August in the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Ekka celebrates agriculture by bringing the country to the city. The animals are a huge part of the Ekka, from massive Highland cows to tiny chicks, plus the ever-popular animal nursery.
Read all about our day at the Ekka.
Whale Watching
Every winter the humpback whales migrate to the waters off the east coast of Australia. Luckily for us Queenslanders, this creates the famous “humpback highway” and makes it the perfect season for whale watching on the Gold Coast.
Read about our recent whale watching experience.
Quick Guide: Farms and Zoos by Region
Here’s a quick guide to these animal experiences by location – perfect if you’re planning a day trip or weekend adventure!
Brisbane
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – iconic wildlife experiences just minutes from the city
- White Ridge Farm – tractor rides, farm animals, and playgrounds for little ones
- The Ekka – August only, celebrating agriculture with animals and fun for the whole family
Sunshine Coast
- Australia Zoo – Steve Irwin’s legacy, with Australian, Asian, and African animals
- SEA LIFE Mooloolaba Aquarium – underwater tunnels with sharks, rays, turtles, and penguins
- Bird World / Maleny Botanic Gardens – tropical birds, beautiful gardens, and farm animals
Gold Coast
- Sea World – aquatic animals, dolphins, and polar bears, plus theme park fun
- Whale Watching – winter only, catch the humpbacks along the “humpback highway”
If your kids are still young enough to enjoy farm experiences, Lyell Deer Sanctuary is worth a visit. It’s not a big place, just a 1-2hr experience, but well suited to smaller kids.
Ipswich Nature Centre is another smaller one; much smaller than something like Australia Zoo but much cheaper as a gold coin donation entry and there’s enough there for maybe a 60-90 viewing, and then you’re in the middle of Ipswich’s Queens Park which has a big playground, cafe or picnic benches to make it a good half-day kind of outing.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre also worth a visit. Same smaller vibes again – much smaller than Lone Pine but it’s a nice intimate experience with the learning centre having some activities for kids and there is a ranger talk a couple of times a day. Again maybe a one-hour activity and then there’s a big picnic area in a forest clearing a short walk away with a boardwalk through a forest/bush area so you can make it a half-day outing if you’re happy to laze in the picnic area for a while, otherwise 1-2hrs.
These are excellent suggestions thank you Colin! Lyell Deer Sanctuary is definitely next on my list to visit.