Located around 45 minutes drive west of Sydney’s city center is the Featherdale Wildlife Park, set across seven acres of land in the suburb of Doonside. It was established in 1972, primarily as a nursery for Australian native trees and plants while also providing a refuge for native animals.

Today the Featherdale Wildlife Park is dedicated to educating the public about conservation and is home to Australia’s largest native animal collection. There are over 1,700 animals from more than 260 different species, including the largest captive population of koalas in Australia, with more than 200 individual bred here since they opened.

They also conduct vital conservation work with endangered yellow-footed rock wallabies and tiger quolls, together with Tasmanian Devils. Their bird collection includes threatened species such as regent honeyeaters and plains wanderers, as well as species that aren’t kept anywhere else on earth. As a result, Featherdale Wildlife Park has a reputation for being a world leader in bird management and conservation.

You can get up close with many of Featherdale’s species during their Private Animal Encounters packages, accompanied by one of their highly-experienced trainers. Have your photo taken with a range of reptiles, wallabies, kangaroos, quokkas, ringtail possums, sugar gliders, and wombats while learning more about their unique behaviors and lifestyle. Or enjoy their “Breakfast with a Koala” experience, with the opportunity to feast on a delicious continental breakfast accompanied by a cuddly koala.

Their on-site cafe also serves meals, snacks, and drinks throughout the day. There is also complimentary Wi-Fi for guests to use.