Top Things to Do in Sydney: Explore Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary & the Central Coast

Be sure to watch the video above this post — this blog is all about Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Walkabout Park) and is packed with the top things to do in Sydney focused on nature and wildlife in the spectacular Central Coast region.

Top Things to Do in Sydney

Make new friends at Walkabout Wildlife Sancuary!

Explore Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary: Sydney Wildlife Encounters

Pat a koala at Walkabout Wildlife Santcuary!

Nestled just an hour’s drive north of Sydney, Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top things to do in Sydney when you crave authentic wildlife encounters. This hands-on wildlife park invites you to sit with ] free-roaming kangaroos, wallabies and emus, get up close and pat koalas, and marvel at cheeky cockatoos that will always share a joke.

At Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, every animal has a story — and a future. As a dedicated refuge for rescued wildlife, we provide lifelong care to our furry, feathered, and scaled residents, while pioneering breed-for-release rewilding programs to help endangered species thrive again in the wild.

Set on a Heritage-listed Aboriginal cultural landscape, the grounds are woven with ancient sites more than 4,000 years old — reminders that here, the journey of healing connects both nature and culture across millennia.

If you’re searching for the best wildlife parks near Sydney, Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary delivers on every front.

Why Visit the Central Coast: Beaches & Wildlife Tours

Thinking of Bondi? Think again. The Central Coast offers some of the best beaches in New South Wales — clearer waters, and far fewer crowds than Bondi Beach.

Enjoy a lunchtime meal overlooking Avoca Beach, then hunt for starfish in the rock pools nearby. Take golden-hour strolls along Terrigal’s sandstone headland or explore hidden coves framed by eucalyptus-clad cliffs.

Beyond the shoreline, the Central Coast is a haven for nature and wildlife tours Sydney-style. Hit bush trails in Brisbane Water National Park to spot native birds, or join a guided mangrove walk to discover fiddler crabs and sea eagles.

Finish your day at a craft-brew pub in Patonga or browse the farmers’ market in Woy Woy for fresh oysters, macadamia nuts, and local honey.

How to Make the Most of Your Nature and Wildlife Tour Sydney

• Plan a weekday visit to Walkabout Wildlife Park to avoid weekend crowds.

• Combine your wildlife adventure with nearby bushwalking: Brisbane Water National Park is very close to Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Book a guided nature tour — local experts can point out echidnas, goannas, and rare bird species you might otherwise miss.

Swap the hustle of the city fringe for the laid-back lure of the Central Coast’s nature and wildlife in Sydney. Your Instagram feed (and your soul) will thank you.