Hand feed wallabies & kangaroos, deer, camels, and feed and pat our furry, vivacious farmyard friends. You might even be lucky enough to have a lorikeet land on your shoulder for a quick chat as you walk through our Lorikeet Aviary. With three walk-through habitats you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get closer to our animals.
For the most interactive animal experience, have a next-level encounter with some of the world’s most incredible species. Guided by a Hunter Valley keeper, you’ll step into the animals’ enclosure and allow the animal to interact with you at their choosing. You’ll learn about their natural habitat, vulnerability, and unique characteristics in an experience you’ll never forget.
There’s so many creatures to meet – you’ll need to take a moment to recharge at the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park Safari Cafe
The quickest way is via the Freeman’s Waterhole Exit, through Brunkerville and then turn left at the round-about and head into Cessnock. You can also keep travelling up to the Hunter Expressway and come through Lovedale.
Take the Lovedale Exit heading towards Pokolbin (this one is closest to us) at the end of Lovedale Rd turn left, then we are the next road on the left (Lomas Lane). St.Phillips Christian Collage sits on the corner of Lomas Lane.
If your visiting Hunter Valley Wildlife Park from further up the Hunter, you can turn off the New England Highway at either Hermitage road for a more scenic drive through the vineyards, or for a slightly quicker option, take the Branxton exit off the New England Highway turn right at the interchange roundabout towards Huntlee, take a left at the Huntlee roundabout and follow Wine Country Drive all the way to Lomas lane. Turn left into Lomas Lane and continue until you reach us.
Watching our animal's antics while you relax with a great coffee might be the best part of your day! Our Coffee Cart and Marquee Café serves hot food, sandwiches, ice creams, cold drinks, assorted snacks, and barista-made coffee. You can find a picnic table under one of our roofed areas, or on sunny days, you might opt for the shade of our umbrella tables by the water. There's room for the kids to play on the grass, and you can even put down a picnic rug and watch the primates play.
We know you're after a good caffeine pick-me-up, so rest assured, your Grinders Coffee won't disappoint! We can also cater birthday parties and corporate functions.
9.00am Park Opens – Hand feed wallabies & kangaroos ($7 for a bag of 2 cones, as stocks allow)
9:00am Cafe Opens
9:00am Kangaroo and Lorikeet Walk-Through Area Opens
9:30am Lion Encounter
10:00am Giraffe Feeding Encounter (Excluding Sundays - INCLUDED WITH SUNDAY WILDLIFE SUNRISE BOOKINGS
10:30am Black & White Ruffed Lemur Encounter
10:30am Meerkat Encounter
11:00am Meerkat Keeper Talk
11:00am Squirrel Monkey Encounter
11:30am Meerkat Encounter
11:30am Marmoset Encounter
11:30am Lion Keeper Talk
12:00pm Meerkat Encounter
12:00pm Spider Monkey Keeper Talk
12:30pm Koala Keeper Talk
12:30pm Binturong Encounter
2:00pm Meerkat Encounter
3:00pm Squirrel Monkey Encounter
3:00pm Last Ticket Sales
3:00pm Cafe Closes for the Night
3:15pm Meerkat Encounter
4:00pm Hunter Valley Wildlife Park – Closes for the Night
Our wildlife park is almost flat - easy access for prams, strollers, walkers and wheelchairs
ACCESSIBLE PARKING BAYS are located in our main carpark. If all spaces are allocated and you require assistance, speak to our friendly team.
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS
Wheelchair accessible toilets are located 30 metres left after entering the park. There are baby change tables also located in these larger disabled toilet facilities.
CARERS & COMPANIONS CARD PROGRAM
We offer free entry for carers upon presentation of a valid companion card (National)
Companion card holders will require a general admission ticket or annual pass.
One of the features of our park is the amount of seating a volume of covered, shaded areas to rest and recuperate
ASSISTANCE DOGS
We acknowledge that some guests require assistance dogs when they visit us, and we have procedures in place to facilitate this and safeguard the welfare of our animals at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park. If you are planning to visit with an assistance dog, kindly email our Reservations Team at least 48 hours before the date of your visit. We will then liaise with our Animal Care team so we can all safely extend a warm welcome to you.
Remember your experience at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park with a souvenir from our gift shop. Explore educational animal books, keepsakes, and a selection of soft animal toys—perfect souvenirs to cherish your visit.
There are loads of fun toys and gadgets to amuse your kids on the drive home down the freeway.
Forgot your hats and sunscreen? We've got you covered, too!
Additionally, children under three enjoy free admission, fostering a family-friendly environment. Online booking is not only convenient but often accompanied by special promotions and discounts, enhancing the overall value of the wildlife experience.
Hunter Valley Wildlife Park's commitment to inclusive pricing aims to make the wonders of Australian wildlife accessible to everyone.
Entry tickets to Hunter Valley Wildlife Park are $42.00 for adults, $28.00 for children aged 3-15 years and children 2 and under free. We have special discounts for seniors, concession card holders, and combo deals for entry & encounters. Check out our online ticket store for more information.
Booking online is a quick and easy way to prepare for your visit! Just follow the steps HERE and print the email confirmation you receive. If you don’t have access to a printer, bring along your smartphone with a screenshot of your confirmation email, including the confirmation number. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate upon arrival.
YES! We are open 9:00 am – 4:00 pm every day. We are open from 8am - 1pm on Christmas Day (Last entry 12pm)
NO. Smoking is not permitted within the park grounds. There is a designated smoking area located near the exit of the carpark. Please retain your admission PASSPORT for re-entry if you choose to exit to smoke during your visit.
We certainly do offer Annual Passes, these are our explorer and ultimate explorer passes. For information on these, please click here
Guests cannot hold a Koala. It is against the law in the State of New South Wales to hold a Koala without the appropriate accreditation. You're welcome to visit our Koala Habitat and don't forget to pass the Koala Stamp Station.
We recommend around TWO hours to see all of our exotic and Australian animals. You are most welcome to spend the whole day amongst the Kangaroos, Koalas and all of our other incredible furry, scaly and feathered friends.
Our purpose as a wildlife park is to educate and inspire people and to create a haven for endangered wildlife. We aim to bring you into an animals world, and strive to create habitats that emulate an animal's natural world.
YES! We accept EFTPOS and all major credit cards (including American Express and UnionPay) in our Admission Office, Kitchen & Cafe and gift shop. You will only need cash if you wish to purchase Animal Food while within the park.
NO. We cannot come and collect injured animals from any location. For injured animal enquiries or collection, please contact WIRES on 1300 094 737. There are many species of animal that we can accept as a donation. However, you must first phone our office on (02) 9622-1644 to enquire. If we can accept this species, you will need to safely transport the animal to Hunter Valley Wildlife Park and seek assistance at the Kiosk. Donations are accepted between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, seven days a week.
NO. We cannot provide assistance with catching snakes. However, there are several services available for you. For reptile removals, please contact Newcstle & Hunter Valley Animal Control www.hunteranimalcontrol.com or call them on 0421 911 940
YES! Our ten acre park features wide, smooth pathways with very gentle gradients. There are plenty of shady places to rest along the way. Most enclosures have a double-gated entry for easy access, and we have plenty of staff around the park that are happy to offer assistance if required. There are disabled access bathrooms at the entry of the park and baby change tables in each bathroom located throughout the park.
YES! The Safair Café is located at the top of the park and provides plenty of hot food options, as well as fresh sandwiches, ice creams, tea/coffee and cold beverages.
YES! We have multiple shady picnic areas and two bbqs for yourself, your family and friends to enjoy. You are most welcome to bring a picnic lunch. However, we cannot provide storage, utensils or condiments. Picnic table reservations are NOT essential as we offer this on a first-come basis. Please note, the consumption of alcohol and smoking of cigarettes is NOT permitted within the park grounds.
YES! Please contact our Events team by emailing hello@austwp.com.au with details of your event, including your desired date, the number of guests, and whether you would like to see our catering options for consideration. For more information, please click here.
Please keep an eye out on the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park Facebook page or the Australian Wildlife Parks work with us page for current job opportunities.
TAFE and University both offer courses in animal related fields. TAFE offers Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care. Visit TAFE NSW for further information or to apply for a course.
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Read our Ticket Terms and Conditions of Entry for all Australian Wildlife Parks here
Australian Wildlife Parks acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices and operations are located, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
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