Top Australia & the Pacific Kid-Friendly Tours

Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade and other wildlife highlights of Victoria. Your full-day tour stops at Moonlit Sanctuary wildlife conservation park to see Australian natives such as koalas and wallabies. Explore the dramatic Cape Woolamai surf beach and the Nobbies boardwalk where you can enjoy views of the rugged south coast and often seals as well.

With around 6,000 animals, WILD LIFE Sydney hosts a large variety of Australian animals under one roof, offering an authentic Australian wildlife experience in the heart of Sydney's Darling Harbour. Make your way through nine different habitats, and see iconic wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, butterflies, birds, crocodiles, and much more.

Visit the world’s largest koala sanctuary, which is located an easy 20-minute drive from downtown Brisbane. Home to more than 100 koalas as well as more than 70 other animal species, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers multiple ways to learn about native Australian wildlife. Enjoy experiences such as watching koalas and hand-feeding kangaroos and wild lorikeets under staff supervision. See platypus, sheepdogs, and birds of prey in action.

Visitors to the Gold Coast seeking some thrills and adventure will find plenty on offer at the zipline and rope course over Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Follow precarious rope networks and ziplines to navigate this area of rainforest high above the ground, which even crosses over a crocodile enclosure to really up the stakes. Please note that this adventure course has both age and height restrictions for users.

Get up close to Australia’s native wildlife at the award-winning Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas. Spot kangaroos and koalas as you wander through the wetlands; tiptoe past crocodiles in the savannah; meet nocturnal critters under a starry sky in nocturnal habitat; then take in views of the rainforest from the treetop canopy walk. Upgrade to include breakfast with the birds or “swimming” with the crocodiles.

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s is one of Auckland’s must-visit family attractions, home to over 1,500 marine creatures and a range of exciting interactive experiences. Explore themed zones featuring sharks, rays, penguins, turtles, jellyfish, seahorses, starfish and hundreds of colourful fish, while learning about New Zealand’s unique marine environment. Families and children will love walking through the famous Shark Tunnel, meeting penguins at Antarctic Ice Adventure, getting hands-on at the Sea Cave Adventure and touch experiences, creating virtual sea creatures in the interactive Art Aquarium, and discovering fascinating marine life in the World of Jellyfish and Seahorse Kingdom. Younger visitors can also enjoy the indoor Shipwreck Shores playground and splash table.

Travelers short on time in Dunedin who want a comprehensive overview of the city and Otago Peninsula will enjoy this half-day small-group tour. After stops at city highlights including Baldwin Street, the University of Otago, and the Octagon, head out to the Otago Peninsula along a scenic road. A guided walk at a wildlife sanctuary offers chances to see yellow-eyed penguins, little blue penguins, fur seals, and sea lions.

Explore the waters of Hervey Bay in search of whales on this guided whale-watching expedition. Board a rigid inflatable boat, then head out to the watery paths where humpback whales migrate and birth their calves. Enjoy water-level views of whales, listen to commentary and interpretations from a marine naturalist guide, and listen to whale communications on an underwater hydrophone.

Sydney's busy roads can make sightseeing tricky. Skip city traffic and combine a ferry ride with admission to Taronga Zoo. Depart from Circular Quay and sail across Sydney Harbour, taking in panoramic views of the skyline along the way. At the zoo, spot koalas and kangaroos, along with wildlife from around the world. Your package includes round-trip ferry transfers, so getting back to the city center couldn't be easier.

The Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places on Kangaroo Island to spot native wildlife, home to koalas, kangaroos, tammar wallabies, and more. On this evening walking tour, explore the sanctuary with a guide and maximize your chance of wildlife sightings. See the animals at their most active during the cooler hours of sunset and continue exploring after dark, when nocturnal animals such as echidnas and possums come out to play.

Enjoy an unforgettable animal encounter with a visit to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures from Cairns. Brave a face-to-face meeting with menacing crocodiles or hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies with guidance and supervision from the friendly staff, then get up-close to other Aussie creatures like Koala's, cassowaries, quolls and snakes. Best of all, your self-guided tour includes entrance tickets, hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Cairns.

Enjoy one of Australia's most incredible wildlife experiences on this magnificent Phillip Island tour. Witness the world famous penguin parade from the brand new exclusive penguins plus viewing platform, definitely the highlight of this day tour. Your day trip includes a visit to Phillip Island Koala Reserve where you can see the iconic Australian koalas up close.

Enjoy a full day of family fun at the SEA LIFE aquarium on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. Explore the 11 underwater exhibit zones, get up close to sharks, stingrays and turtles in the underwater tunnel and spot a rainbow of tropical fish. That’s not all: watch animal presentations such as seal and jelly fish kingdom talks, ray talk and feeding, take an ocean tunnel tour, explore the new interactive Finding Dory and Friends exhibit and see unique creatures such as lion fish and much more.

Located on the shoreline of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Taronga Zoo is home to thousands of fascinating animals, including Australian natives such as the koala, kangaroo, and platypus. Check the schedule for daily keeper presentations, or book an animal encounter or guided tour (own expense) for a more in-depth experience.

Enjoy a close encounter with Australia's native animals at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the Gold Coast. Your ticket includes admission to the park plus daily keeper presentations and animal shows. Admire critters such as the kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, koala, wombat, echidna, and reptiles that live in natural-style bush and rainforest habitats. Walk through the stunning 5-acre forest of the Lost Valley and see unique flora and wildlife such as lemurs, red pandas, capybaras, and other exotic reptiles.

Observe more than 20 native bird species—including New Zealand’s famous kiwi—with admission to Kiwi Birdlife Park in central Queenstown. See wildlife shows, nature exhibits, and daily keeper presentations, and catch a rare sight of the flightless kiwi in a darkened enclosure that mimics a nocturnal environment. Your admission ticket is valid for the entire day so you can explore the park at your own pace.

Enjoy an in-depth experience of Sydney Taronga Zoo on a guided tour with a zoo guide who introduces you to Australian native animals including koalas and kangaroos. Learn more than you could on your own. This small-group tour is limited to ten people and includes admission tickets to Taronga Zoo.

Spot Aussie icons and exotic beasts on a thrilling family-friendly day out at the Serengeti-themed Werribee Open Range Zoo. Hop on an open-window bus for a safari tour and get up close to the wildlife. Then, explore the rest of the park on foot and at your leisure, visiting the different animal enclosures, enjoying zookeeper talks and presentations throughout the day, or making the most of the playgrounds.

Finding the best places to spot sea turtles and snorkel in Coral Bay is hard without local knowledge. This guided tour removes the guesswork, taking you straight to prime areas where turtles are often seen in their natural habitat. Cruise in a custom-designed glass-bottom boat for clear views of marine life below the surface, while the crew shares insights and answers questions about turtles and the surrounding ecosystem.

Experience farm animals in a picturesque rural setting at Trevena Glen Farm in the beautiful D’Aguilar Range outside of Brisbane. Take advantage of an educational, hands-on event and interact with this family-run farm’s stable of animals—chickens and donkeys, guinea pigs and turkeys, alpacas and goats, to name a few.

Meet some of Australia’s most beloved native animals on this day trip from Adelaide to Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills. Learn about koalas, feed wallabies and kangaroos under staff supervision, be amused by wombats and emus, and observe dingos, Tasmanian devils and more. Then, visit the Mt. Lofty Summit for panoramic views and photo ops.

Enjoy a wet-and-wild adventure in Skippers Canyon on this family-friendly rafting adventure from Queenstown. Take a scenic drive into Skippers Canyon and learn about the region’s rich gold-mining heritage. On arrival at the base, strap into your safety kit and paddle onto the Shotover River’s class I and II rapids. Paddle and splash as you enjoy the views over the mountain landscape, led safely by a guide.

Get a personal introduction to Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, with a guided experience that adds meaning and context to what you see. Explore key highlights from the museum’s interactive exhibits, cultural collections, fine art, and natural history, while a guide shares stories and insight that bring the displays to life. Gain a deeper understanding of Māori heritage and New Zealand’s colonial history, and receive recommendations tailored to your interests so you can continue exploring with a richer perspective.