Sunset Safari @ Werribee Zoo- Copyright Mamma Knows South-55.jpg

Llama Treks and Meets, Woodend - Copyright Mamma Knows Melbourne 2025-14.jpg

Sunset Safari @ Werribee Zoo- Copyright Mamma Knows South-65.jpg

Mamma says kids LOVE getting up close and personal with animals in Melbourne 🐾

From zoos and wildlife parks and animal sanctuaries, we’ve found the best animal encounters across Melbourne’s West where kids can feed, pat and meet their favourite furry friends.

Think hands-on experiences, close-up moments and plenty of chances to get up close with animals - perfect for your next family day out.

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wathaurong booln booln cultural centre, geelong

The prefect stop on the Surf Coast Hwy, have coffee at the cafe, play on the playground and feed the wallabies and emus!

hanging rock llama meet and treks, woodend

Walk, feed and cuddle llamas at a beautiful Woodend farm. A one-hour llama experience with morning or afternoon tea included!

jirrahlinga dingo conservation and wildlife education centre, chewton

Do your kiddos love getting up close and personal with wildlife and learning all about their species? If so - Mamma says Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation and Wildlife Education Centre in Chewton is right up your alley! There are so many different varieties of animals who call this place home - dingos, koalas, reptiles, emus, wombats, birds and so much more.

horse shepherd equine sanctuary walking tours, gordon

Walking tours now open! This gorgeous farm sits on 200 hectares of land and is dedicated to rehabilitating all kinds of farm animals but particularly horses. Found neglected, discarded after racing or aged and unwell, Horse Shepherd takes them on, provides them vet care and allows them to happily live out their days with the rest of the menagerie at the farm.

sunset penguin tours from williamstown to st kilda, williamstown (gem pier)

What a perfect adventure – a beautiful and fun ferry ride across the bay with stunning city views, followed by a penguin-watching experience at the St Kilda Breakwater wall, where around 1400 Little Penguins make their way to shore at sunset, and the knowledgeable staff are great with kids and questions!

ballarat wildlife park, ballarat east

If you have an animal lover and face it most kids are - Ballarat Wildlife Park is an excellent place to get up close with some of Australia's most loved animals. There are 100 Kangaroos that literally 'hop' free, as do the emu's. You can see lots of snakes and reptiles including crocodiles, Tassie devils, wedge tailed eagles, koalas and wombats. Mamma loves to feed the kangaroos - it a fam fav, especially for the minis!

werribee open range zoo, werribee south

What a fantastic family destination and all in Melbourne’s West! Even before the kiddos came along a visit here was a must and now we pop in as often as we can. The open safari bus tour is always a highlight, spotting new animals every time (the elephants, oh my!) and the self guided walking tours are a great way to enjoy your surroundings at your own pace. Pop into the Meerkat cafe if you’re hungry, or have a picnic at the Village Kids playground.

wildlife wonders, otways

Only 5km outside of Apollo Bay an extraordinary family friendly adventure awaits. Join a 75 minute wildlife guided tour in some pristine Otways landscape. Spot wallabies, koalas, cockatoos, emus and more as you learn about conservation, native flora and fauna and how to spot a koala (hint, smell their poo)!

dingo encounters - dingo discovery sanctuary research centre, melton

Experience Unforgettable Dingo Encounters at Melton's Dingo Discovery Sanctuary. Mamma Recommends It for Everyone!"

serendip sanctuary, lara

Come and take a walk on the wild side at Serendip Sanctuary nestled in the Lara bushland. Mamma is in awe of all the flora and fauna that we get to see at this magical place. You can walk with the emu's and kangaroos, wave at the wallabies and 'ooh' and 'aaah' at all the beautiful looking birds. There’s a large picnic area as you arrive in the car park too, and best of all, it is FREE!

animal land children's farm, diggers rest

Mamma says throw on your overalls and gumboots, start chewin' some hay and take a drive to Diggers Rest to visit Animal Land Children's Farm. Animal Land has so much to see and do - get a pony ride plus visit the animal nursery and then you can feed the ducks on the pond, feed the donkeys and cows and chickens too! This is a self-guided farm so, grab your free animal food and away you go!