6 Brisbane Animal Farms For Perfect Family Day Out

Animal farms are a quintessential childhood experience and a kind of family day out that’s so memorable and special. As a Brisbane family photographer, I often ask my clients where they spend their weekends out with kids. Brisbane has some amazing animal farms that you simply have to take your kids to if they are a lover of all things furry and feathered. I’ve compiled 5 Brisbane Animal Farms and I will be sharing how they each have something unique to offer for you and your little ones. Who’s ready to feed a baby cow?

1. Haigslea EWE Nique Hobby Farm

187 Missigs Rd, Haigslea

45 minutes from Brisbane South (Ipswich way)

Haigslea Ewe nique Farm is a lovely family run Brisbane animal farms for kids in Brisbane where you can get up close to a range of farm animals and join in the farm yard experience. I recommend it for younger kids 5 and under. Being a hobby farm it is not a huge zoo, but my nephews absolutely loved it and asked to go back again and again.

Standout Feature about this Brisbane Animal Farm:

You get to hand feed the sheep, lambs, alpacas, goats and check out so many wandering chickens! This place is super affordable and relaxing, a sanctuary for those wanting a rural outback sort of weekend. Not to mention Queens Park, The Workshop Rail Museum and Ipswich Art Gallery are all nearby

• Opens Friday, Saturday, Sunday -9 am-12pm – BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL- you can call 0410487263 or email them.
• Pram friendly: yes, though most of the areas are grass
• Cafe: on-site; simple tea, coffee, scones, donuts etc
• Carpark: ample
• Prices: $5 per person. Animal feed $3 a bucket or 4 for $10

2. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

I personally love Lone Pine. If you are looking for an animal farm in Brisbane city, the closest is Lone Pine in Fig Tree Pocket. You instantly get transported to an animal sanctuary surrounded by rainforests, beautifully laid out walks and plentiful shaded picnic tables to enjoy a picnic with your family.

Tips for visiting Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary:

• Visit early morning to avoid crowd and resident kangaroos are most hungry
• Pack a picnic

What makes this Brisbane Animal Farm special:

There’s more than just koalas. It’s less of a petting zoo than an educational experience, but you get to hand feed the kangaroos and cuddle koalas! (Plus a photoshoot with the koala)

There are FREE animal encounters all throughout the day. Lorikeets feeding, sheep dogs herding sheep, free flight raptor shows, dingo meet and greet.

• Opens everyday
• Pram friendly: yes
• Carpark: yes
• Prices: Adult $18. Child $35. Family (2 adults and 2 kids) $135.
• koala cuddle $29 / 15 minutes. Roo feed: $2
• Senior discounts & yearly passes available. Please check their website for full price list.

3. Deathrow Unchained Animal Sanctuary

20 minutes from Brisbane South

1374 Mt Cotton Rd, Burbank QLD

Deathrow Unchained is an animal rescue and sanctuary. Although it’s not a petting zoo as these animals are rescue animals and some don’t like to be pat. You do get a chance to get up and close with a few animals that certainly loved a pat and attention.

Standout Feature about this Brisbane Animal Farm:

They run 1 hour guided tours around the animal sanctuary every Friday, Saturday and Sunday that provide educational, ethical and interactive experience suitable for all age groups, including us parents! They also sell animal feed bag ($3 per bag) to feed the cows at the end of the tour.

• Pram friendly: yes
• Carpark: yes
• Prices: Adults $20. Child $10. Infants – free. Every dollar goes directly back into saving lives and helping the community. You are supporting this amazing volunteer organisation to help them continue to run this sanctuary.

4. White Ridge Farm

If you live on the Northside of Brisbane, you must visit the White Ridge Farm, where you can feed the llamas, alpacas, horses, sheep, goats and ride the tractor ride and a small petting zoo for the little ones.

This place is under an hour from Brisbane South.

Cool Feature about this Brisbane Animal Farm:

Hand feeds animals and two playgrounds on site (one for toddler one for older kids), trampoline, putt putt

• Opening hours: Wed-Sun 9am-3pm; every day during school holidays
• Pram friendly: yes
• Carpark: ample
• Prices: Adults $25. Kids $14. Under 3 free.

5. Travena Glen pony riding

I also want to highlight Brisbane animal farm Travena Glen where your child can experience riding a pony. There is nothing like seeing your kids faces light up from the joy of being in the saddle. From just $65 per half hour session, this is going to be an experience your child will not forget for the rest of their life. I will write a separate blog about horseback riding around Brisbane soon!

6. Mountview Alpaca Farm

Located at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley vineyards where you can hand feed the alpacas, this farm is an absolute must-visit. The scenic drive on the way to Canungra lifts your mood and helps you unwind from a long week. There is a restaurant on site for a decent price. If you want, the gorgeous Sarabah Estate Vineyard is only 5 minutes away and the food there is amazing! Unfortunately because the farm is located within a fully licensed venue, there is no BYO food or alcohol allowed on the property.

Best thing about this Brisbane Animal Farm:

You get to walk alpacas on lead around the vineyard grounds!

• Open M-T 10am-3pm. Friday 10am-4pm. Weekends 9am-4pm
• Pram friendly: yes but majority grassy areas
• Carpark: yes
• Free entry. Prices for walking alpacas: 15 min walk – $18. 30 min walk $33. 60 min walk $59

Animal farm visits around Brisbane

Have you visited one, or all of the above farms near Brisbane? Whether you are a local or just visiting Brisbane, make sure to add a trip to one of these Brisbane animal farms to your to-do list. From petting zoos to wildlife sanctuaries, the Brisbane has so many amazing places to get up close and personal with some of the most adorable animals. These farms are such a fun safe place for families to connect. A few of them also offer birthday party hosting to make your child’s celebration a memorable experience with their dearest friends. Furthermore, I don’t think it’s just the kids that will enjoy it, adults love meeting amazing animals in personal hands-on encounters too!

Want to make this season of life even more unforgettable with beautiful family photos that warm your heart and put a smile on your face? Check out my family page to see more of my work!