Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary
Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
If you love animals but you don't like to see them in zoos, this working wildlife sanctuary is a wonderful place to visit. Only an hour north of Sydney city, you can meet kangaroos, emus and wallabies living free in 80 acres of Australian bush. Natural camps house koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, dingoes, flying foxes, echidnas, pythons, cockatoos and all their feathered, furry, scaly and spiky friends. Follow the walking tracks to visit ancient Aboriginal sites. Open every day from 9:30am to 5pm, or book an overnight ranger-led Wild Night Out. Fun and safe for children and adults alike. This is not an intense commercial experience with concrete paths and play areas. This is the real Australian bush.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- K72Melbourne, Australia2,932 contributionsGood for touristsGreat spot for tourists to see and experience Australian animals up close. the free roaming roos and emus provide a great experience and photo opportunities. Many of the animals there are rescues and living their days in a caring environment. The park is not over run with animals. Leisel was a terrific guide! We had a lot of overseas tourists with us and they loved it!Visited April 2023Written 9 April 2023
- GoPlaces196204412861 contributionExcellent day outInformative and friendly staff members. Huge range of animals, also the option for a bush walk. Loved the koala speed date opportunity. Reasonable prices, animals looked happy.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 September 2023
- Jenny L1 contributionAn amazing place!My group absolutely loved our twilight visit to the Walkabout Wildlife Park. The ranger was expert, enthusiastic and kind. We got to see and sometimes hold so many different native animals, at dusk when they were naturally lively. The Park is doing amazing things for wildlife rescue, conservation and education. Highly recommended.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 26 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
263 reviews
Excellent
177
Very good
59
Average
13
Poor
7
Terrible
7
Jenny L
1 contribution
Oct. 2023 • Friends
My group absolutely loved our twilight visit to the Walkabout Wildlife Park. The ranger was expert, enthusiastic and kind. We got to see and sometimes hold so many different native animals, at dusk when they were naturally lively. The Park is doing amazing things for wildlife rescue, conservation and education. Highly recommended.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoPlaces19620441286
1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Informative and friendly staff members. Huge range of animals, also the option for a bush walk. Loved the koala speed date opportunity. Reasonable prices, animals looked happy.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah S
Boxborough, MA3 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Family
We're a family of 5 visiting from the US, and we booked 2 cabins for our first 2 nights in Australia. I worried this might be too much of a splurge for 2 basic cabins (we wouldn't all fit in one). It wasn't - I would do it again in a heartbeat! Living with the animals on the sanctuary for 2 days was the best way to get up close with the beloved and iconic Australian wildlife. Kids (ages 11-19) and adults alike loved it! We got to do all the things Walkabout Sanctuary had to offer - the Aboriginal sites, the Evening Safari, most of the free hourly animal talks, and a couple Speed Dates. Don't miss out on the speed dates! The close encounters with the bilbies and the sugar gliders were some of our favorite experiences of our whole trip! We didn't mind that the yard wasn't perfectly manicured and landscaped for the human eye, and we appreciated how much the staff care about the animals. We enjoyed that by staying 2 nights we got to know several of the animals, and some of the staff, by name. The cabins were comfortable and it was very special and memorable to have a home-base at the sanctuary.
Written 1 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K72
Melbourne, Australia2,932 contributions
Apr. 2023
Great spot for tourists to see and experience Australian animals up close. the free roaming roos and emus provide a great experience and photo opportunities. Many of the animals there are rescues and living their days in a caring environment. The park is not over run with animals. Leisel was a terrific guide!
We had a lot of overseas tourists with us and they loved it!
We had a lot of overseas tourists with us and they loved it!
Written 9 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie
Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Israel403 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Family
Had a great time here. It’s a one hour drive from Sydney. The animals were roaming freely. Pack a lunch box and picnic there. The rangers were super informative and there’s a souvenir shop with food and drink to purchase.
Written 17 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark G
Maidstone, UK22 contributions
Jan. 2023
TL;DR - an excellent authentic experience at a place where the staff care about the important things and less about the unimportant one i.e. they focus on the the animals and not the paintwork or cafe.
I went to the sanctuary with my wife, my daughter and her husband and two of their friends. All of us left impressed by the experience and the staff working there and would recommend it to anyone else who is looking for a more authentic experience and can see beyond the lack of a nice latte or over sanitised tarmac.
Many of the animals are free to roam around the park and one can interact with them. Others, such as tasmanian devils, snakes and fruit bats, are in enclosures for obvious reasons. All the animals that we say looked in good health and well looked after and the staff that we interacted with clearly care very much about their charges.
As we left we asked about one of the kangaroos which were standing in the lobby and the receptionist came alive talking about how she was 13 years old and blind but she was still able to move around the park. It was obvious to all of us how much she cared and how this was not just a job to her.
Sometimes I wonder what people who leave bad reviews for places on Trip Advisor are expecting. I see people leaving bad reviews and complaining about the cafe being bad or the paths not being pushchair friendly and think that they need to get things in perspective. Having to wait 20 minutes for your coffee or not having a paved path to push your buggy along on a bushwalk should not be the main factors in a review of an establishment such as this. I'm not sure what is gong through some peoples minds when they compalin about kangaroos lying on dry dirt. What do you think kangaroos lie on in the wild? There is no lovely green grass in the bush.
This is not a sterilised scripted Disney like experience and it is all the better for it. If you are looking for that type of thing then go to a zoo.
I went to the sanctuary with my wife, my daughter and her husband and two of their friends. All of us left impressed by the experience and the staff working there and would recommend it to anyone else who is looking for a more authentic experience and can see beyond the lack of a nice latte or over sanitised tarmac.
Many of the animals are free to roam around the park and one can interact with them. Others, such as tasmanian devils, snakes and fruit bats, are in enclosures for obvious reasons. All the animals that we say looked in good health and well looked after and the staff that we interacted with clearly care very much about their charges.
As we left we asked about one of the kangaroos which were standing in the lobby and the receptionist came alive talking about how she was 13 years old and blind but she was still able to move around the park. It was obvious to all of us how much she cared and how this was not just a job to her.
Sometimes I wonder what people who leave bad reviews for places on Trip Advisor are expecting. I see people leaving bad reviews and complaining about the cafe being bad or the paths not being pushchair friendly and think that they need to get things in perspective. Having to wait 20 minutes for your coffee or not having a paved path to push your buggy along on a bushwalk should not be the main factors in a review of an establishment such as this. I'm not sure what is gong through some peoples minds when they compalin about kangaroos lying on dry dirt. What do you think kangaroos lie on in the wild? There is no lovely green grass in the bush.
This is not a sterilised scripted Disney like experience and it is all the better for it. If you are looking for that type of thing then go to a zoo.
Written 11 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AustTrail
Sydney510 contributions
Jun. 2022 • Family
Our second visit here after many years. Things have not really changed but the animals here are still interesting to look at. Most are not enclosed except the rarer animals like the Tassie devil's and koalas.
The place is a bit run down and may not be suitable for some strollers and wheelchairs. But having said that, the place looks wild and suitable for the animals to roam around freely.
It is good that the kangaroos and emus are not fed by visitors and they seem to be less aggressive than the animals at the other park nearby.
It looks as though the animals are well cared for and it was a nice afternoon visit and it was not crowded. Enjoyable for both young and old
The place is a bit run down and may not be suitable for some strollers and wheelchairs. But having said that, the place looks wild and suitable for the animals to roam around freely.
It is good that the kangaroos and emus are not fed by visitors and they seem to be less aggressive than the animals at the other park nearby.
It looks as though the animals are well cared for and it was a nice afternoon visit and it was not crowded. Enjoyable for both young and old
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bronte000
Newcastle, Australia40 contributions
Jun. 2022 • Friends
Absolutely terrible. We went a couple of years ago and it was "ordinary", but yesterday we were shocked. Not a blade of grass to be seen. Kangaroos etc laying on dry dirt. Wombat, dingo, pig, koala all asleep. The animals didnt even look clean. Two wallabies had scabs, as did a peacock. The goats kept scratching themselves. The koala had a tree wirh no leaves. Not worth going.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon K
Pendle Hill, Australia409 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
The sanctuary is a very basic. They have kangaroos, emus, wombats, koalas, bats, Kookaburras, Tasmanian Devils, farm animals you can feed.
The walking tracks are rough and not ideal for wheel chairs or people that are unstable on their feet.
You can take a picnic lunch with you.
The walking tracks are rough and not ideal for wheel chairs or people that are unstable on their feet.
You can take a picnic lunch with you.
Written 8 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian M
1 contribution
Apr. 2022
Spent the day and evening in one of their Eco cabins and the whole experience was awesome. The staff are so helpful and friendly. The talks about the various animals were conducted with great knowledge and extremely interesting. Wish our stay could have been longer. Thank you everyone at the park, especially Tassin.
Written 1 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you hold a koala with the hire a ranger?
Tassin
Calga, Australia
In NSW it is illegal to hold a koala, however at our talks we will get you as close as possible tot he Koalas.
We have a koala talks at 12pm and 2.30pm each day, or you can book a speed date, which is a 10 minute private encounter and times are available throughout the day, Please visit our website to make a booking.
Thank you
Artemis74
Wassenaar, The Netherlands1 contribution
How accessible is the park when you are in a wheelchair?
Tassin
Calga, Australia
Many people using wheelchairs visit our animals and they assure me that, although the paths are bumpy as the ground is compressed earth, they are doable. Many animals hang around the visitor centre so, if you don't want to go far, you can spend time with the free-ranging kangaroos and emus, as well as the koalas and the petting zoo animals. If you need any help you can ask any one of our staff to give you a hand. You won't however, be able to reach the Aboriginal sites as the bush paths are just natural tracks and there are also steps.
Hai... rencananya ingin ke Australia wal Kab out wildlife park, tapi saya tidak tahu bagaimana ke sana, saya nginap di daerah harbour darling dan berapa tiket yg harus saya beli?
Tassin
Calga, Australia
We are located about an hour north of Sydney, but we are not on a public transport route, therefore you will either need to drive, or catch hire a taxi, which can be exceptionally expensive. The closest station is Gosford. Please note that you may be able to get an Uber to the park, however they will not return you to the station.
Walkabout Park is just a few hundred meters off the M1 Pacific Motorway just south of Gosford.
Regards
The Walkabout Team

Kaleb G
Southwest Oklahoma
Is the "Personal Ranger Hire" the best option for a couple to have a great experience for a few hours; to include personal time with Koala, and Kangaroos?
We are looking at visiting Saturday 7 October from about 9 AM until around 1 PM. Is that a doable time to have a great experience?
Mark S
Greater Sydney, Australia581 contributions
Hi there; the rangers are extremely knowledgable and you'll surely get a lot out of a private tour with your two hour window.
The park is small and you'll easily be able to walk about with comfort.
The Koalas are very popular - and supper cute, and I think now days it is recognised they get stressed being handled lots by the public....So, ask the Keepers if you can handle the Koalas - if that's important to you.
You can also check on line with other wild life parks if you can BOOK ahead and be guaranteed to be able to hold the Koalas if that is on You "bucket List".
Good Luck...have a great time on your trip to Australia.

Kaleb G
Southwest Oklahoma
What is the best mode of transportation to visit the park from North Sydney?
Walkab0utPark
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is not on a public transport route and therefore the closest station is at Gosford, either train or bus. A taxi fare from Gosford is approximately $45 one way, so is pretty expensive.
We suggest that a less expensive option for a group, is to book a hire car instead which is approximately $40.00 per day for a small car.
If you do choose to drive, we are located approximately 1 hour north of Sydney off the M1, just south of Gosford.
DO take the Calga Interchange exit from the M1 onto Peats Ridge Road, you will find the park on the left of Peats Ridge Road, just off the M1.
Kadd L
Sydney, Australia16 contributions
HI,
Yes, is there a restaurant or café? Is there a picnic area where we can bring our own lunch?
Thank you.
Kadd
Walkab0utPark
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hi there,
We have kiosk style catering on site with a basic menu of hot food including fish & chips, pies, sausage rolls etc. We also have ready made sandwiches and wraps, soft drinks, ice-cream, snacks and tea and coffee.
You are also welcome to bring your own picnic or use our free bbq's.
Lisa V
The Entrance, Australia17 contributions
How much are the overnight experiences? Do I need my own tent?
Walkab0utPark
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
There are a range of overnight packages including staying in our permanent camp ground with our canvas tents or staying in our eco cabins, offering en-suite accommodation.
You DO NOT bring your own tent
I see on your website that I can register for a pre-paid personal encounter, but there is not an option for a koala encounter. Will there be an option to pet a koala and how to I pre-register ?
Walkab0utPark
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
We have ranger talks offering up-close encounters with our animals every half and hour throughout each day.
Should you require a more personal, ranger-led encounter, these are available and can be booked online by clicking the red booking button.
Thank you
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Claim your listingWalkabout Wildlife Sanctuary: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Nature and Wildlife: Australia in One Day - Private Tour (From AU$575.96)
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