Hunter Valley Zoo

At Hunter Valley Zoo, you can get up close and personal with all sorts of Australian and exotic animals. Located in the heart of Wine Country, this attraction is a great way to get the kids as excited about a trip to the Hunter as mum and dad are about the wine tasting! Interactive walkthrough yards allow you to hand feed the kangaroos, wallabies, farmyard animals and some of the exotic birds as often as you like. There are free daily shows where you can pat a wombat, cuddle up to a koala, touch a reptile, and watch the monkeys begin fed daily.

Ellaslist Opinion: This zoo has a really relaxed atmosphere, it’s never packed and staff are always on hand to answer any questions you may have about their residents. Entry prices are really reasonable and though the zoo isn’t huge, it takes a good 2 hours to see everything and all the family favourites critters: monkeys, American Alligators, Tasmanian Devils, kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, reptiles and birds have a home here. We also love the fact that this family-friendly attraction is right in the middle of the Hunter Valley, an area more known for its more grown-up pleasures like great food and wine. This makes a weekend trip a win for all members of the family!

Admission: Visit the website for current entry fees

Getting There: The zoo is easily accessible, sitting just off the main road from Cessnock to Hunter Valley Wine Country. It’s about a 2 hour trip from Sydney.

Facilities: You can buy the usual junky snacks & refreshments at the kiosk but the Zoo also provides free gas barbeque facilities and undercover seating, so we recommend you bring a picnic lunch. The grounds are pram friendly and there is even a small kids playground.