Animal Encounters Near Brisbane

Brisbane is fortunate to have so many zoos and wildlife centres within easy reach, each offering the opportunity to learn more about our native fauna and exotic animals.

Until fairly recently, visitors could only observe the animals from behind a fence or enclosure, but nowadays, animal handlers are giving adults and children the opportunity to connect more closely with the animal – to pet it, feed it, help care for it and (of course!) have a photo taken of the experience.

There are so many wildlife and animal encounters near Brisbane on offer, and we’ve collated them all for you below. Keep this list handy when you next need a present idea or school holiday activity!

Be mindful that most animal encounters will require a fee, which is often on top of entry and can sometimes carry age restrictions, so keep this in mind when searching for your next animal encounter.

Animal Encounters Around Brisbane

Brisbane Environment Centres – Various

Managed by the Brisbane City Council, these environment centres offer engaging and interactive activities for kids, including animal encounters, especially on weekends and school holidays. Check the calendar for more details about what’s available at your local centre – Boondall Wetlands, Downfall Creek Bushland Centre and the Karawatha Forest Park and Discovery Centre.

Daisy Hill Koala Centre – Daisy Hill

Unlike Lone Pine, Daisy Hill Koala Centre is ALL about koalas! Set within the Daisy Hill Conservation Park, the centre is well-known for its hands-on, immersive displays and resident koalas, giving kids the best possible space to learn all about this iconic Australian species.

The centre includes lots of colourful, information-packed displays as well as a koala hospital to rehabilitate injured koalas (no, you are not able to touch the koalas at Daisy Hill Koala Centre). Outside of the centre in the wider conservation park, kids can keep an eye out for the local wallabies that frequent the grounds around the boardwalk and also see if they can spot the possum boxes hidden in the trees nearby!

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – Fig Treet Pocket

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is not just about the koalas, although you will see plenty of these sweet creatures there. Located in a picturesque spot along the Brisbane River, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to a wide array of creatures, with everything from cockatoos to emus and kangaroos.

When it comes to wildlife encounters, they have a number of options, including encounters with koalas, sheepdogs, raptors, dingoes and reptiles. For animal enthusiasts and budding zoologists, Lone Pine also offers a behind the scenes tour, and the opportunity to be a junior or teen keeper for a day.

Ottaba Llamas – Esk and Linville

Ever wanted to walk a llama? Well you can do just that at Ottaba Llamas. Take the lead and wander along with these quirky looking creatures as they graze on grass and take in their surroundings. Bookings are necessary and take place near Esk and Linville. You could even arrange to have the llamas at your next special event!

Summer Land Camels – Harrisville

Their big, their goofy and there’s heaps of them at Summer Land Camels in the Scenic Rim. Guests can feed the camels (for a small fee), take a selfie with the toothy camels or even book a camel ride around the property. Join a behind the scenes farm tour, an ultimate experience or just relax and have a snack or cuppa as you take in the scenery.

Tangalooma Island Resort – Moreton Island

Tangalooma Island Resort is the location for a special kind of animal encounter – nightly feeding of wild dolphins. This once in a lifetime experience is also educational for Brisbane Kids and is a rare opportunity to see and feed dolphins in their natural habitat.

Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre – The Gap

A junior ranger program is available at the Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre where you will find platypus, crocodiles, Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo, reptiles and more.  Walkabout Creek is a great place to spend the day, with plenty of nature play opportunities and a cafe.

Animal Encounters on the Sunshine Coast

Australia Zoo – Beerwah

This once fledgeling zoo now boasts an extensive collection of animals, daily shows, an animal hospital and more than 25 wildlife experiences.

Unsurprisingly, Australia Zoo is a popular choice for local families and international tourists. Animals available for more personalised experiences at Australia Zoo include giraffes, quokkas, wombats, echidnas, tortoises, koalas, dingoes, komodo dragons, tigers, rhinoceroses, red pandas, otters, lemurs and more. They also offer the opportunity for a wildlife hospital tour.

SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast – Mooloolaba

Swim with a seal, snorkel with the sharks or sign the kids up for the ocean ranger program, which runs during school holidays at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast. The kids will get to feel, touch and meet a wide range of ocean creatures and receive a photograph of their special experience.

Wildlife HQ  Zoo at The Big Pineapple – Woombye

The Big Pineapple has a rich history as an entertainment park for families. It continues that tradition by offering Wildlife HQ – a zoo with animals from Australia, Asia, Africa and South America. At Wildlife HQ, you can book an animal encounter with a meerkat, tamarin, lemur, red panda, capybara, quokka, marmosets, koalas and more! Don’t forget the camera so you can share your animal encounter with others.

Animal Encounters on the Gold Coast

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Currumbin

Hand-feeding the noisy and colourful native parrots in the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary dome would have to be our pick of their animal experiences. But the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary staff also offer other encounters with capybaras, tamarins, goats, koalas, lemurs and tree kangaroos. You can also opt to have breakfast with the koalas or take a llama for. walk. A behind the scenes tour of the wildlife hospital is also popular.

David Fleay Wildlife Park – Burleigh Heads

Run by the state government, David Fleay Wildlife Park offers native wildlife shows and experiences. You can experience wildlife up close, enjoy wildlife talks and presentations and be amazed at the daily Fleays in Flight show.  On the school holidays, there’s even the opportunity to become a junior wildlife ranger. This experience allows kids to go behind the scenes to see how wildlife rangers care for animals.

Dreamworld – Coomera

Dreamworld, Australia’s largest theme park, also has a collection of animals and offers animal experiences for families. You can have a photo with a koala, enjoy a dingo or bilby encounter, or even feed a tiger. There are even crocodile encounters for the brave at heart!

Ian Dipple Lagoon – Labrador

Join the large group of pelicans which flock to Ian Dipple Lagoon daily to receive a delish feed of fish from the friendly staff at Charis Seafoods. The pelicans start arriving from 12.30pm, do receive their lunch at 1.30pm on the edge of the lagoon. It’s free to watch and a popular pastime for visitors and locals.

Paradise Country – Coomera

Meet an abundance of Aussie animals at Paradise Country. Want a special experience – how about booking breakfast with a koala, a behind the scenes tour, an animal encounter or become a reptile ranger for the day. There is also a stock horse show, pony rides, a tractor ride and more on offer at Paradise Country on the Gold Coast.

Sea World Gold Coast – Main Beach

There are plenty of animal adventures to be had at Sea World. Families can meet a dolphin, have an encounter with a seal, chill with the penguins (literally) or go behind the scenes at polar bear shores.

While we love animals, we ask that you exercise the utmost care and caution when partaking in any animal encounter. We need to protect all of the amazing creatures which call our country home.