6 Animal & Wildlife Encounters for Curious Kids Near Adelaide

It’s October, the sun is shining, and the school holidays are calling! If your little ones are buzzing with curiosity about kangaroos, roaring for lions, or keen to meet a koala, Adelaide is the perfect playground.

South Australia offers incredible opportunities for hands-on, memorable wildlife Adelaide experiences. Forget watching on a screen—it’s time to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing creatures. We’ve curated six of the absolute best zoo family experience SA adventures, perfect for every budget and age group.

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Monarto is not a zoo—it's the largest open-range safari park outside of Africa! A short drive from Adelaide, it offers a real taste of the wild, where over 50 species roam vast, natural habitats. Kids will be stunned by the sheer size of the park and its magnificent animals, including giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, and the largest lion pride in Australia.

Why You’ll Love It: The park is designed for adventure. You’ll travel between habitats on the Zu-Loop bus, making it easy on little legs. For a real treat, book the Lions 360 experience, where you enter a cage and the lions literally walk over the top of you!

• Street Address: Monarto Safari Park, 63 Monarto Road, Monarto, SA 5254

• Dates: Open Daily 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 3:00 PM). Check website for October School Holiday hours.

• Ticket Information: Adult $40, Child (4-14 yrs) $21. Under 4 Free. Lions 360 is an additional paid experience and Pre Book is essential.

• Family Tips: This is an outdoor, full-day experience. Bring hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the dedicated areas, or grab a bite at the park's café. Check the Free Keeper Talks schedule for lunchtime and feeding times.

For a truly Aussie, hands-on experience, Cleland is a must-visit. Set in the stunning Adelaide Hills, this park has very few enclosures, allowing you and your kids to walk among the free-roaming wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies, and emus.

Why You’ll Love It: This park is fantastic for young children. For a small fee, you can buy a bag of animal food at the entrance and hand-feed the kangaroos and wallabies - an unforgettable experience for little hands. They also offer a free Koala close-up session.

• Street Address: 365 Mount Lofty Summit Road, Crafers SA 5152 (Adelaide Hills)

• Dates: Open Daily 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

• Ticket Information: Adult $34.50, Child (4-15 yrs) $19.00. Family Pass (2A + 2C or 1A + 3C) $89.00.

• Family Tips: This is an excellent hot day idea as it is set high up in the hills and has good natural shade. Check out the brand-new Koala Loft. Paths are Pram Friendly and accessible. Grab a snack at the cafe or enjoy a BBQ and Picnic at the onsite facilities.

A classic for a reason. Adelaide Zoo is nestled right in the heart of the city and is home to over 2,500 animals, including the famous Giant Pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni. It’s compact, walkable, and packed with diverse animals.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s a super convenient and Pram Friendly option. The zoo offers a huge variety of paid animal encounters, like the Red Panda Breakfast or the Penguins In Person feed, perfect for a special birthday or family treat. Don’t miss the regular, free Keeper Talks and feeding schedules throughout the day.

• Street Address: Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road, Adelaide SA 5000 (Adelaide CBD)

• Dates: Open Daily 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

• Ticket Information: Adult $48, Child (4-14 yrs) $28. Under 4 Free. Animal encounters are separately priced and require Pre Book.

• Family Tips: Being in the CBD, Public Transport Nearby is easy. If driving, Parking Onsite is available (paid). The Reptile House and Nocturnal House are great Indoor Day options if the weather turns. The Giant Panda feed is usually around 1:15 PM—check the schedule upon entry!

Located in the charming German village of Hahndorf, this venue is a fantastic blend of a children's farmyard and a small wildlife park. It’s designed for hands-on interactions that are perfect for younger children (Age 2 to Age 8).

Why You’ll Love It: This is the ultimate petting experience. Kids can safely cuddle and feed almost all the farm animals, from lambs and goats to miniature horses. It's affordable and offers a wonderful glimpse into farm life while also hosting native animals.

• Street Address: Hahndorf Farm Barn, 2282 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf, SA 5245 (Adelaide Hills)

• Dates: Open Daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

• Ticket Information: Adult $21, Child (2-14 yrs) $16. Family Pass (2A + 2C) $68.

• Family Tips: Bring cash for animal feed bags at the entrance—it makes the experience much more engaging. It is an Over 1 Hour Day Trip from the Adelaide CBD, so plan a full day including a visit to Hahndorf village afterwards. Plenty of Shade and Seating is available.

Only a 40-minute drive into the Adelaide Hills, Gorge Wildlife Park offers a chance to see a wide range of exotic animals alongside Australian natives. It's known for its relatively hands-on approach and welcoming atmosphere.

Why You’ll Love It: Where else can you see monkeys, meerkats, and hippos in the same park while still having a friendly, local feel? This park has long been a favourite for families who want a traditional, close-up zoo visit without the crowds of a major city facility.

• Street Address: 30 Redden Drive, Cudlee Creek SA 5232 (Adelaide Hills)

• Dates: Open Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

• Ticket Information: Adult $22.50, Child (3-15 yrs) $14.00. Under 3 Free.

• Family Tips: They offer free koala patting sessions and a Reptile Presentation on weekends and public holidays at 1:30 PM. The park is set in a picturesque gorge area, which means some paths are hilly—great for an active family.

Take a Day Trip down to Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula for this hidden gem. Urimbirra is a smaller, more intimate wildlife park that focuses on native Australian animals. It’s perfect for a relaxing Half Day visit.

Why You’ll Love It: Urimbirra keeps things simple and affordable. The highlight for the kids will be the free opportunity to pat a koala at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM daily. It’s a low-key, friendly environment that’s great for escaping the October school holiday rush.

• Street Address: 10 Welch Road, Victor Harbor SA 5211 (Fleurieu Peninsula)

• Dates: Open Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

• Ticket Information: Adult $16, Child (4-14 yrs) $8. Under 4 Free. Budget Friendly!

• Family Tips: Located only five kilometres from Victor Harbor, combine your visit with a trip to the beach or the famous horse-drawn tram. The koala patting sessions are very popular, so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early for the 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM slot.