Koala
1 / 10

Oakvale Wildlife Park

4.6
·2k reviews·Salt Ash, Australia

A 25-acre wildlife park in Port Stephens offering close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, and farm animals, plus playgrounds and a water park.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Animals are active, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Koala

Oakvale Wildlife Park

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Animals are active, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A 25-acre wildlife park in Port Stephens offering close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, and farm animals, plus playgrounds and a water park.

4.6
(2k reviews)

"A brilliant day out for 3 generations, with hand-feeding baby farm animals being a big win!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Arrive Early for Active Animals

See kangaroos and koalas at their most active by arriving at opening time.

🧺 Pack a Picnic Lunch

You can bring your own food, or purchase coffee and lunch on-site.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 2,164 reviews

Type

Zoo

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Kangaroo & Koala Encounters

Kangaroo & Koala Encounters

Various enclosures

Feed kangaroos and get up close with koalas, including opportunities to see them with joeys.

Instagram+1
Farm Animal Hand-Feeding

Farm Animal Hand-Feeding

Farmyard area

Bottle-feed lambs and goats, milk cows, and interact with other gentle farm animals.

InstagramReddit
Playgrounds & Water Park

Playgrounds & Water Park

Designated areas

Spacious playgrounds for kids and a seasonal water park offer fun breaks from animal viewing.

Instagram+1
Tractor Trailer Rides

Tractor Trailer Rides

Park grounds

Enjoy free tractor trailer rides that offer a scenic tour of the wildlife facility.

Reddit
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Plan Your Visit: Best Times & What to Expect

Oakvale Wildlife Park is a 25-acre sanctuary perfect for families. Arrive early to see animals at their most active, especially kangaroos and koalas. Consider visiting on weekdays to avoid larger crowds, as weekends can get busy with families enjoying the playgrounds and animal encounters. Instagram

Animal Encounters & Activities

Get up close with Australian wildlife! Oakvale offers unique opportunities for hand-feeding kangaroos and koalas, milking cows, and interacting with farm animals. The park also features a water park (seasonal) and extensive playgrounds, making it a full-day adventure for all ages. InstagramReddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Animals are active, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoon (cooler months)
Why
Animals may be more active
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekends (peak season)
Why
Lively atmosphere, but busy
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

It is so depressing… #Fable #Fable2 #Oakvale #meme #sad #fyp #xbox
@fable_peak
3.2K likes • 90.3K views

🎯 Arrive Early for Active Animals

See kangaroos and koalas at their most active by arriving at opening time. InstagramReddit

🧺 Pack a Picnic Lunch

You can bring your own food, or purchase coffee and lunch on-site. Reddit

POV you purchased a family annual membership to Oakvale Wildlife Park and now your weekends look like this 🐪 🦎 🐨 #feelNSW #PortStephens #HunterValley #familyfun
oakvalewildlifepark
37 likes • 1.2K views
🤍 Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash, NSW A great day out, bottle feeding the lambs and goats, koala sanctuary, massive playground, tractor rides and animal feedings. We look forward to visiting once again to the water park when the weather warms a little more than 15c. 🥶 #oakvalewildlifepark #oakvalefarm #visitnsw #kidsactivities #campinglife #adventuretime
van_lovin_fam
27 likes • 505 views

👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the 25-acre park. Instagram

💧 Water Park Fun (Seasonal)

Don't forget swimwear if visiting during warmer months for the water park. Instagram

Exploring the wonders of Oakvale Wildlife Park 🐨🦘 📷@newytour.co #portstephens #incrediblebynature #wildlifeexperience #familyfun
portstephens
95 likes • 3.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Arrive Early for Active Animals

See kangaroos and koalas at their most active by arriving at opening time. InstagramReddit

🧺 Pack a Picnic Lunch

You can bring your own food, or purchase coffee and lunch on-site. Reddit

👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the 25-acre park. Instagram

💧 Water Park Fun (Seasonal)

Don't forget swimwear if visiting during warmer months for the water park. Instagram

📸 Capture the Moments

Plenty of photo opportunities with animals and family fun. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.6
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Oakvale Wildlife Park for its refreshing, family-friendly atmosphere and excellent hands-on animal encounters, particularly hand-feeding kangaroos and farm animals. The park is noted for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and ample amenities like playgrounds and BBQ facilities. Some guests expressed a desire for even more diverse animal species and interactive experiences beyond feeding. Reddit

"Great family friendly place. Water park is great! Nice park to walk around in with a good variety of animals. They have a new red panda enclosure but unfortunately we couldn't spot any.
Admission is quite pricey but so is pretty much everywhere else these days! More seating needed around the park.."

Rachel Schindler

"There aren’t as many animals as at Taronga Zoo, but if you want to see and even touch animals freely roaming in nature, I highly recommend it! They have a program where you can touch koalas. If you have some food, you’ll be super popular with the sheep😂"

Anne Y

"Came here during our time away in Nelson's Bay. Good variety of animals and they looked well kept. Goats and Kangaroos were very friendly. Lenny the Long horn was a stand out, what an aweome dude!"

Kurt Tucsok

What People Like

Hands-on animal feeding
Family-friendly atmosphere
Clean facilities and playgrounds

What People Dislike

Desire for more animal variety
Wish for more interactive experiences

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Oakvale Wildlife Park is located in Salt Ash, Port Stephens, NSW. It's accessible by car, with ample parking available. If coming from Sydney, it's approximately a 2-hour drive. Public transport options are limited, so driving is generally recommended. Instagram

Yes, there is sufficient and spacious parking available at the park, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car. Reddit

Absolutely! Oakvale Wildlife Park is a popular day trip destination from Sydney, offering a great escape into nature and animal encounters. Instagram

The most common route from Sydney involves taking the M1 Motorway north and then following signs towards Nelson Bay/Port Stephens. Oakvale is well-signposted once you enter the Port Stephens area. Instagram

Yes, the Port Stephens region offers a wide range of accommodation, from hotels and resorts to holiday parks and camping, making it easy to extend your visit. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Oakvale Wildlife Park is typically open daily from 10 AM. It's always a good idea to check their official website for the most up-to-date opening hours, especially during public holidays or seasonal changes. Reddit

Admission prices vary for adults, children, and families. You can purchase tickets online in advance or at the gate. Consider an annual membership if you plan to visit multiple times. Instagram

Yes, tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate upon arrival. However, booking online in advance might sometimes offer discounts or guarantee entry during peak times. Instagram

Discounts may be available for seniors, students, or group bookings. Keep an eye on their website or social media for any special offers or promotions. Instagram

Generally, re-entry policies vary. It's best to inquire at the entrance or customer service desk upon arrival if you anticipate needing to leave and return later in the day. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Oakvale is home to a diverse range of animals, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, emus, various farm animals like sheep and cows, and reptiles. Instagram+1

Yes, Oakvale is renowned for its hands-on experiences. You can hand-feed kangaroos, bottle-feed lambs and goats, and even milk cows. InstagramReddit

Absolutely! It's a fantastic destination for families with young children, offering interactive animal encounters, playgrounds, and tractor rides. InstagramReddit

The park features spacious and well-maintained playgrounds, providing ample space for children to play and burn energy. InstagramReddit

Yes, Oakvale has a water park that is open seasonally. It's a great way to cool down during warmer months. Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and enjoy picnics within the park grounds. There are also BBQ facilities available. Reddit

Oakvale offers a cafe where you can purchase coffee, lunch, and snacks. The menu typically includes items suitable for families. Reddit

While specific menus can change, cafes at attractions like Oakvale often have a selection of vegetarian options. It's best to inquire directly or check their current menu if you have specific dietary needs. Reddit

Yes, there is a cafe on-site that serves a variety of food and beverages. Reddit

Oakvale is a popular spot for children's birthday parties, offering a fun and memorable experience with animal interactions and play areas. Contact the park directly for party packages. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The kangaroo and koala enclosures offer fantastic photo opportunities. The farmyard and tractor rides also provide charming backdrops for family photos. Instagram+1

Yes, photography is encouraged! However, always be mindful of the animals' well-being and avoid using flash photography directly at them, especially during shows or close encounters. Instagram

Generally, personal photography is allowed. Professional photography or filming for commercial purposes may require prior permission. Instagram

A camera with a good zoom lens is ideal for capturing wildlife from a comfortable distance. However, a smartphone is perfectly adequate for most visitors. Instagram

Selfies are possible in designated areas, particularly during supervised animal encounters where staff can guide you on safe and appropriate interactions. Instagram

Oakvale Wildlife Park (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide