Everything You Need to Know about Hunter Valley Zoo

Is a trip to the Hunter Valley with the kidlets complete if you didn't visit the Hunter Valley Zoo? We didn't think so! The Hunter Valley Zoo has a a wide variety of mammals, birds and reptiles from Australia and around the globe, and is a great day out for the whole family.

There's Australian native mammals, African animals, primates, reptiles, Australian birds, South American animals and more. There's cute, cuddly and a little bit scary all in one place. To make the day even easier, we've compiled everything you need to know about visiting the Hunter Valley Zoo, plus tips on things you can do there, and a few other things the kids will love!

The Hunter Valley Zoo is located in the heart of the Hunter Valley - the address is 138 Lomas Lane, Nulkaba - which is just five minutes from Cessnock.

As there are limited public transport options in the Hunter Valley, it's recommended to travel to the zoo by car. Plus, there's free parking on site.

Thursday-Tuesday: 9am - 4pm

CLOSED on Wednesdays (except during NSW school holiday period)

There are plenty of ticketing options available to make sure visitors get bang for their buck!

If you think the Hunter Valley Zoo may be your second home this year, there are also annual passes available.

You will be wandering about outdoors most of the day, and although there is plenty of shade available, make sure you are sun-safe by slip, slop, slap, seek and sliding! For the younger folk that is... slip on shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on some sunnies.

If you're visiting earlier in the day, it may be worth throwing in an extra jumper just in case - it can be quite fresh in the morning!

There is small kiosk with light meals available at reception - we're talking sandwiches, muffins, wraps, chip packets, ice creams and some sweets, so it's best to pack your own scrumptious feast and make the most of the excellent picnic and BBQ facilities available at the zoo.

If you do forget and you're craving a hot bite to eat, make sure you let reception know on arrival so they can put a sausage roll or meat pie into the oven for you. There's also cool drinks available, and a little gift shop if you're looking for a little something to remember the day by.

If just watching and taking photos is not hitting the mark and you reaaaaally need a cuddle, Hunter Valley Zoo offers close Animal Encounters with a few of its favourite little friends such as meerkats, squirrel monkey and lemurs.

Each encounter includes approx 20 minutes of feeding and interacting within the animals while taking as many photos as you like. A zookeeper will be right with you and can answer all your questions and provide cool facts — perfect for the next pub trivia night!

The daily "Keeper Chat" shows gives you the chance to pat a wombat, cuddle up to a koala, meet a reptile and watch the monkeys and other animals being fed.

The Keepers provide informative amusing chats on Australian favourites such as wombats and dingoes as well as the lithe cheetah and the South American maned wolf. You’ll definitely learn some fun facts to surprise your friends with later!

All shows are subject to change, weather and dependent on the animals on the day. Please contact or check with reception if there is a particular show you are interested in.

Note: Unfortunately, the Keeper Talks and Daily Shows are temporarily suspended until further notice, but keep an eye out on the website for when they resume.

Feeding animals is always fun as they crowd around you nosing for a snack. Walk-through interactive yards allows visitors to pet and feed to farmyard animals, kangaroos and birds with their favourite animal munchies.

Then monkey around with the spider monkeys who were given a cage-free island enclosure in 2019. It’s an awesome opportunity to get that perfect shot without mesh and fencing in the way.

Stretch out with the zoo’s newest additions - Shingo and Sophie the giraffes who arrived at the zoo in December 2020. The young pair have settled in well and can now be seen alongside the zebras for a touch of Africa in the valley.

There are free barbecue facilities and undercover seating scattered throughout the zoo providing lovely shaded places to enjoy a picnic lunch. If you're going in a large group, you can even ring ahead to reserve a spot!

For some live entertainment throughout the meal, select the area in front of the spider monkey enclosure for some primate antics. And don't be surprised if a peacock or chicken turns up to inspect the contents of your picnic basket.

If you've had an epic morning at the zoo and you're not quite ready to wrap up, never fear! The Hunter Valley is filled with so many fun activities for kids, and they're all close by.

If you are not yet finished spending time with animals, then book a horseriding experience through vineyards, bushland and farmland of the beautiful Hunter Valley wine country. This experience is beginner friendly and you can pick from a one hour or two hour horse ride.

Or take a ride on a different type of transport with a segway tour along the off-road tracks and trails of Hunter Valley. Make sure you keep a lookout for kangaroos and wombats along the way as you travel through the world renowned Vanessa Vale Vineyard.

Don't worry if you've never been on a Segway before, there is training provided at the start so this is a great activity for beginners too.

If you prefer a more relaxed tempo, then soothe your soul in the Hunter Valley Gardens where eight kilometres of walking paths will provide more than enough time to enjoy the ten themed gardens. This one will have both the kids and the parents enthralled - there's a Storybook Garden with all the favourite storybook characters, but there's also complete zen to be found in the Japanese gardens.

If you're after something really epic, that the kids will be talking about for years to come, get them up early and do a Hunter Valley hot air balloon ride beforeefore you head to the zoo. You might even be able to spot the animals from the air!

Did you work up an appetite at the zoo?

End the day munching on a pizza you’ve made yourself with a private pizza-making class. Using quality local produce and sauces that are made from scratch in the authentic Italian way — it’s the perfect way to finish your day out in the Hunter Valley.

What are you waiting for? Plan your visit to Hunter Valley Zoo today and answer the call of the wild. From Keeper Chats to Animal Encounters to Farmyard Walk-throughs, a day out at the Hunter Valley Zoo is a real hoot.