7 wildlife parks kids love
Planning a family holiday and need to keep the kids entertained? Wildlife Parks in Australia are an amazing way to experience our incredibly unique native animals.
From swimming pools and water parks to hire equipment and nature playgrounds, Discovery Parks has awesome facilities at every one of its 80+ locations around Australia.
While our guests love the endless play inside our holiday parks, what’s around them is important too.
Whether you’re a family who loves staying near the beach, on the river or in the mountains, Australia has hundreds of national parks and wildlife parks
Here are seven Discovery Parks that are close to wildlife parks kids will love.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Coolwaters Yeppoon, Queensland
If you like lounging around on a beach, sailing into the sunset, snorkling or even turtle spotting then Yeppoon is the perfect place to be! Discover more.
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the place to go to escape the winter with so many unique bars, restaurants, markets and natural springs surrounding Darwin. It is the place for the whole family to enjoy. Discover more.
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
With its breathtaking scenery, remarkable hikes and national parks filled with wildlife that the whole family can get up close and personal with, Cradle Mountain makes the perfect unique holiday experience. Discover more.
Swan Valley, Western Australia
Being one of the oldest wine regions in Australia, it is the place to relax, slow down and enjoy everything it has to offer. Discover more.
Dubbo, New South Wales
Whether you are into your history, want to be out in nature or want to try your luck at some water sports, Dubbo has it all for all ages. Discover more.
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville has a lot to offer, whether you want to snorkle in the Great Barrier Reef, visit the Reef HQ Aquarium or road trip it to Magnetic Island and explore their hidden beaches, there is plenty to do for the whole family. Discover more.
Hahndorf Resort, South Australia
If you feel like going to another world, then look no further! The German town - Hahndorf offers it all. It has fantastic food that will leave your taste buds wanting more, and wineries that showcase the best of the Adelaide Hills. It is fun for the whole family. Discover more.
7 WILDLIFE PARKS THAT ARE CLOSE TO A DISCOVERY PARK
Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary, QLD
STAY: Discovery Parks – Coolwaters Yeppoon
Discovery Parks - Coolwaters Yeppoon is nestled among the palm trees of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
With so many fantastic facilities like a water park, BMX track, jumping pillow and swimming pool, this holiday park is fantastic for families.
Credit: Cooberriepark
However, one of the main drawcards for Discovery Parks - Coolwaters Yeppoon is its proximity to two fantastic wildlife parks.
Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit for all families staying in Yeppoon. Located 33km from the holiday park, Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to visit for the day as the kids can meet koalas, kangaroos, reptiles, parrots and even hold a croc!
Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
For another exciting wildlife adventure, head to Koorana Crocodile Farm. This wildlife park is Queensland’s first crocodile farm and home to 3,000 of nature’s oldest children.
Home to crocodiles that weigh anywhere from 100g to 800kg, the farm does guided tours daily that allow visitors to hold baby crocodiles.
Crocosaurus Cove, NT
STAY: Discovery Parks - Darwin
In the heart of Darwin, Discovery Parks - Darwin has everything you need for an amazing stay.
Credit: Crocosauras Cove
Famous for its wildlife and boasting year-round temperatures that hover above 32 degrees, everyone knows that the best place to be in the Territory is outside. This makes it a great place for wildlife lovers, with some of Australia’s most famous national parks to explore including Litchfield, Kakadu and Nitmiluk.
Before you make the journey to any of these, however, there is an amazing wildlife experience not too far from our park.
Crocosaurus Cove is a three-storey wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Darwin that contains Australia’s largest display of reptiles, including of course, the famous saltwater crocodile.
Credit: Crocosauras Cove
For those feeling brave, there is the opportunity to take to a glass cage and swim with the crocs themselves, but if that’s not your pace, try handling three-month-old baby salties, or stare into the eyes of its 80-year-old grand daddy!
Also boasting the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles, a visit to Crocosaurus Cove is a must for anyone who stays at Discovery Parks - Darwin.
Devils at Cradle Mountain, TAS
STAY: Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain
As one of the most beautiful places in Australia, Cradle Mountain is a must-visit holiday destination for every Aussie.
Aside from awesome facilities and great accommodation, Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain is a fantastic place to stay because of the number of things to do within walking distance of the park.
Credit: Devils at Cradle
At just a three-minute drive from the park Devils @ Cradle, is Cradle Mountain’s one-of-a-kind Tasmanian Devil sanctuary and Tasmania’s premier wilderness destination.
Although the sanctuary primarily focuses on the Tasmanian Devil, it’s also home to the Spotted-tail and Eastern quolls.
When you visit with your family, you can view the animals from the visitor centre, wander through the sanctuary or join a guided tour to learn more about these incredible endangered animals.
Caversham Wildlife Park, WA
STAY: Discovery Parks – Swan Valley
If you’re planning a family holiday but don’t want to leave the city, consider a stay Discovery Parks - Swan Valley.
Only a 25-minute drive from the Perth CBD, Discovery Parks - Swan Valley has everything you need in and around the holiday park for a perfect family getaway.
Credit: Whiteman Park
Just a ten-minute drive away in Whiteman Park, Caversham Wildlife Park showcases Australia’s unique native animals, including koalas, Tasmanian devils, wallabies and wombats.
Here you can have a close-up encounter with the animals and allow your children to hand-feed a kangaroo or have a photo taken with a koala.
Credit: Caversham Wildlife
If your kids love animals, Caversham Wildlife Park is a fantastic opportunity to discover more close to the Perth CBD.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW
STAY: Discovery Parks - Dubbo.
There are lots of reasons to take a family holiday in Dubbo, 700 in fact!
That’s the animal population of Taronga Western Plains Zoo, just two minutes from the park.
Credit: taronga.org
Home to hundreds of rare and endangered animals, including giraffes, rhinos, big cats and elephants, this zoo has something for everyone.
Credit: taronga.org
Built around a five-kilometre circuit which you can walk, drive or ride a hire bike, this zoo.
Billabong Sanctuary, Nth QLD
STAY: Discovery Parks - Townsville
Located in the dry tropics, Discovery Parks - Townsville, is a must-stay holiday destination for families visiting North Queensland.
From visiting Magnetic Island to diving the SS Yongala or hiking to the top of Castle Hill, there is so much for families to do in Townsville.
Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
However, a visit to the region probably wouldn’t feel complete without a visit to Billabong Sanctuary, one of the most famous wildlife parks in Queensland.
Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
Located just 20 minutes south of Townsville, the sanctuary features hundreds of native animals in their natural habitats.
Kids can hold koalas, hand-feed kangaroos, feed the crocs and even hug a wombat!
Cleland Wildlife Park, SA
STAY: Discovery Hahndorf Resort
Only 20 minutes from the centre of Adelaide, Discovery Hahndorf Resort puts you in the heart of the beautiful Adelaide Hills, and close to a range of activities and experiences including Cleland Wildlife Park.
Credit: EnvironmentSA and ClealandPark
With guided day tours, koala and butterfly experiences, there’s loads of ways to interact with the park and engage with Australia’s amazing native fauna.
Because there are very few enclosures within the park, most animals live happily in their natural habitat, making for great photo opportunities and up close and personal feeding encounters.
Credit: ClealandPark
The park is most famous for its up-close koala experiences, and these sessions can be booked with the park in advance.
