Animal attractions in Australia

From zoos to wildlife parks and animal encounters to aquariums, we’ve got Australia’s most extensive selection of exciting animal experiences. No matter what your favourite creature may be, there’s a good chance you’ll find it on RedBalloon–and you might even get to pat or feed it, too.

Fun for all ages, our animal attractions make the perfect activity for school holidays, family weekend outings, and everyday nature lovers. International visitors will adore meeting cute native creatures on our Australian wildlife experiences.

What are the best zoos in Australia?

From bouncing kangaroos to cuddly koalas and curious river-roaming platypus, Australia has the most wonderful wildlife on Earth. The easiest way to encounter such curious creatures is at one of the top zoos in Australia.

Straddling Sydney Harbour, the sprawling Taronga Zoo boasts epic city skyline views and an impressive collection of 350+ species. Daily presentations, zoo-keeper talks, and adorable dingo pups add to the fun. Over on Darling Harbour, Sydney Zoo is the only combined zoo and aquarium in NSW.

Adelaide Zoo houses South Australia’s most eclectic animal collection, with 250+ species spread over 8 lush botanic hectares. If you’re in Southeast Queensland, don’t miss Australia Zoo, an iconic spot preserving the legacy of the late and great Steve Irwin.

RedBalloon offers more than just zoo passes and entry tickets–we sell a wide array of exciting animal experiences and packages.

– Hop aboard the Zoo Express in Darling Harbour and enjoy a scenic Sydney Harbour Cruise with Taronga Zoo entry.

– Spot nocturnal animals, devour a delicious safari dinner, and meet friendly elephants on the Roar ‘n’ Snore – Sleepover at Melbourne Zoo for 2. 

– Embark on guided walks, listen to insightful keeper talks, and meet thousands of amazing animals on the Adelaide Zoo Full-Day Experience.

– Leave the car at your hotel and visit this iconic location in air-conditioned comfort with our Australia Zoo Admission with Transfers from Brisbane deal.

Australian Wildlife Parks

A wide range of wildlife parks reside all over Australia, from Calga to Currumbin. These spacious locations generally offer more room than zoos and a natural wildlife-spotting experience. Families with kids will adore exploring the sprawling open-air attractions.

Located in Calga (one hour north of Sydney), Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park houses 180 cute native species in an enormous 80-acre plot. On the South Coast of NSW, Mogo Wildlife Park is a hit among holiday-making families for its exotic inhabitants like lions, cheetahs, and gorillas. Featherdale Wildlife Park hosts Australia’s largest native animal collection in the heart of Western Sydney.

If you’re exploring South Australia, Monarto Safari Park offers the world’s largest safari experience outside Africa. Exotic mammals like white rhinos, lions, giraffes, meerkats and chimps roam this remote park near Murray Bridge.

What are the best aquariums in Australia?

The island nation of Australia has a mesmerising array of world-class aquariums to visit. From deadly native jellyfish to adorable Antarctic penguins, our aquarium passes let you meet marine creatures of all sorts. Families, little ones, and everyday ocean lovers should check out the following favs:

– Situated on Darling Harbour, Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium impresses with its dugongs and giant Japanese spider crabs.

– In the Victorian capital, Melbourne SEA LIFE Aquarium has 12 themed zones showcasing underwater creatures from all over the world.

– This awesome aquarium voucher lets you dine on a delicious two-course dinner and then explore Cairns Aquarium after dark.

– The AQWA (Aquarium of Western Australia) is the biggest aquarium in Australia. You can take a swim on the wild side when you Snorkel with Sharks at the AQWA or witness the exciting sea life move beneath your feet on the Glass Bottom Boat Tour, also at the AQWA.

Australian sea life encounters

Not content with meeting marine creatures from the other side of a glass enclosure? You need to try our up-close sea life experiences. Whether you’re diving with sharks or swimming with crocodiles, these bucket-list experiences will get the heart pumping.

You don’t need SCUBA skills, but you will need nerves of steel for the Shark dive at Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium. Once you’ve settled into their 4-million-litre Oceanarium, you’ll come within a whisker of nurse sharks, seven-gill sharks, and giant stingrays.

If you’re passing through Port Stephens, why not Snorkel with Zebra Sharks in Anna Bay? This up-close stingray encounter lets you feed and pet the slippery marine animals and meet zebra sharks.

Serious daredevils can hop into the Crocodile Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin. The spine-tingling experience puts you within inches of some of the largest saltwater crocodiles on Earth.

Wildlife encounters in Australia

Keen to spend quality one-on-one time with your favourite animal? We’ve got the perfect wildlife encounter for you. The top Australian zoos and wildlife parks offer an array of exciting options, including:

– Meerkat encounters

– Giraffe encounters

– Lion encounters

– Lemur encounters

– Monkey encounters

The Hunter Valley Zoo Lion Encounter, for example, lets you feed the world’s most ferocious predator. If that sounds a little too terrifying, our Hunter Valley Zoo Squirrel Monkey Encounter zoo voucher has you meet the mischievous primates in person. Over in South Australia, the Giraffe Safari sees you get up close to these long-necked wonders and explore a seldom-visited part of Monarto Safari Park.