Best Animal Encounters for Kids in Melbourne & Victoria

Melbourne and Victoria are packed with amazing animal encounters that go far beyond the average farm or zoo visit. From feeding alpacas and kangaroos, to riding a donkey and playing with hawks, and even holding a snake or baby crocodile, these experiences bring kids (and adults) face to face with animals in fun and interactive ways.

We’ve rounded up 30 of the best animal encounters in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Many are hands on, some are guided, and all are suited for the whole family. We have tried many of them so click on our review for more info and photos.

Animal Encounters in Melbourne

1. Reptile Encounters

An immersive one hour private tour where kids can hold snakes, lizards, turtles, and more. They also run amazing school holiday programs and two open days each year.
Location: Burwood VIC
Read More>>> Reptile Encounters

2. Collingwood Children’s Farm

Just minutes from the city, this farm lets families interact with goats, sheep, chickens, cows, and horses. There’s also a lovely café and play areas too. Our kids particularly loved the school holiday program, Farmer for a Day!
Location: Abbotsford VIC
Read More>> Collingwood Children’s Farm

3. Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

Moonlit Sanctuary Animal Experience Dingo

A great mix of day and night animal encounters including nocturnal tours, koala close ups, photos with the dingoes, kangaroo feeding and more.
Location: Pearcedale VIC
Read More>> Moonlit Sanctuary

4. Yarra Valley Nocturnal Zoo

A rare opportunity to see nocturnal animals up close on free guided night tours. They also offer dusk experiences and overnight stays.
Location: Mount Evelyn
Website: www.yarravalleynocturnalzoo.com.au/

5. The Funky Farm

A private wildlife sanctuary where every tour is hands on and personal. Families can meet dingoes, crocodiles, koalas, wombats and more. It’s a hidden gem on the Mornington Peninsula and always a hit with kids.
Location: Hastings VIC
Read More>> Funky Farm

6. Chesterfield Farm

A working farm right in Melbourne’s east where kids can feed and pat farm animals, take tractor rides, and watch daily farm shows. Perfect for younger children.
Location: Scoresby VIC
Hours: Daily 10am–3pm
Read More>> Chesterfield Farm

7. Living Legends

Home to retired champion racehorses, you can meet these famous horses, stroll through historic paddocks, and enjoy a picnic in a beautiful setting.
Location: Greenvale VIC
Website: www.livinglegends.org.au

8. Myuna Farm

A family favourite where kids can meet rabbits, guinea pigs, camels, ponies, and more. Tractor train rides and play areas make it a full day out.
Location: Doveton VIC
Read More>> Myuna Farm

9. Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard

A family friendly farm where kids can cuddle guinea pigs and rabbits, bottle feed baby animals, and meet ponies, goats, sheep and cows. There are opportunities to ride the ponies and horses too. Tractor rides and pony rides are also on offer.
Location: Balnarring, Mornington Peninsula VIC
Read More>> Rain Hayne Shine

10. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Experiences

Get close to penguins, sharks, and rays with behind the scenes encounters. Their Penguin Passport lets you step inside the icy penguin habitat. Diving with the sharks is a good one for older kids and adults.
Location: Melbourne CBD VIC
Read More>> Sealife

11. Animal Land Children’s Farm

Kids can bottle-feed baby animals, go on tractor rides, and even try pony rides, great day out in Melbourne’s West.
Location: Diggers Rest VIC
Website: animalland.com.au

Animal Encounters in Regional Victoria

12. Full Flight Birds of Prey

A thrilling experience for animal lovers, Full Flight runs bird of prey encounters where kids can meet and learn about hawks, owls, eagles and falcons. Families can book flying sessions where these incredible birds swoop to the glove right in front of you! Very unique experience.
Location: Ballarat VIC
Read More>> Full Flight

13. Dingo Discovery Sanctuary & Research Centre

Dedicated to the conservation of dingoes, this sanctuary offers private encounters where families can learn about and interact with these native animals.
Location: Toolern Vale VIC
Website: www.dingodiscovery.net

14. Ballarat Wildlife Park

Kids Feed Kangaroos at Ballarat Wildlife Park

Home to koalas, wombats, meerkats and more. A great spot where kids can hand feed kangaroos and take part in keeper led experiences.
Location: Ballarat VIC
Read More>> Ballarat Wildlife Park

15. Edgar’s Mission Farm Animal Sanctuary

A rescue farm where more than 450 rescued animals live happily. Guided tours are both educational and heartwarming.
Location: Lancefield VIC
Website: www.edgarsmission.org.au

16. Bairnsley Highland Cattle

A working farm where you can see and sometimes cuddle their fluffy Highland cows. Open days announced on socials.
Location: Gisborne VIC
Website: www.ballybrookfarm.com.au/

18. Iron Brook Donkey Farm

Book a donkey walk, cuddle session, or even a camping stay with donkeys. A wholesome and unique farm experience.
Location: East Warburton VIC
Hours: By booking only
Website: thedonkeyshop.com.au

19. Burnalook Llamas

Private llama experiences including grooming, patting and bush walks. Bookings are essential.
Location: Gembrook VIC
Website: www.burnarlook-llamas-hazelnuts.square.site/

20. Halls Gap Zoo

Victoria’s largest regional zoo with over 160 species including monkeys, giraffes, meerkats, and reptiles. Hands on encounters available including the rare red panda!
Location: Halls Gap VIC
Read More>> Halls Gap Zoo

21. Hanging Rock Llama Treks

Take a scenic walk around Hanging Rock with a llama by your side. Slow-paced and peaceful, it’s a unique outdoor family adventure.
Location: Macedon Ranges VIC
Website: www.facebook.com/hangingrockllamatreks

22. Heritage Alpaca Co.

A family run alpaca farm where kids can pat, feed, and meet the herd. Short, family-friendly farm tours available.
Location: Buckley VIC
Website: heritagealpacaco.com.au

23. Kyabram Fauna Park

A family-friendly park with Australian animals including emus, kangaroos, wombats, and reptiles. Keeper talks and feeding sessions available.
Location: Kyabram VIC
Website: https://www.zoo.org.au/kyabram

24. Billabong Ranch

A full on family adventure park featuring horse rides, camel rides, a petting zoo, mini golf and more. Great for a day trip or overnight stay.
Location: Echuca VIC
Website: www.billabongranch.com.au

25. Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park

Hand feed kangaroos, dingoes, and emus while enjoying the stunning coastal scenery. Family run and interactive.
Location: Princetown VIC
Website: https://greatoceanroadwildlifepark.com.au/

25. Jirrahlinga Koala & Wildlife Sanctuary

Dedicated to caring for injured and orphaned wildlife, this sanctuary is home to many species and varieties of Australian Native Animals. Families can see koalas, wombats and birds up close. Daily Encounters run at set times throughout the day.
Location: Chewton VIC
Hours: Daily 10am–4pm
Website: jirrahlinga.com.au

Melbourne and Victoria are full of unique and interactive animal experiences for families. Many require advance bookings, so plan ahead, and don’t forget your camera, because these animal adventures are ones your little explorers will never forget.

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