Petting Zoo Mornington Peninsula – 5 of the best (2024)
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If you’re looking for a paws-itively fun activity for the whole family while visiting the Morn Pen, one that gets you up close and personal with its native wildlife, then you’re in the right spot.
I have a list of five Mornington Peninsula petting zoos that will ensure you, and the kids, have the purrrrr-fect day!
This list is not just limited to petting zoos. I’ve included wildlife parks, farmyards and even an animal sanctuary!
Pat a dingo, take a photo with a koala, hold a snake, milk a cow, feed the pigs!
You can do all these things and more, keep reading to learn how.
1. Funky Farm – Hastings
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Funky Farm Petting Zoo, in Hastings, is one of my most favourite animal parks I’ve ever been to!
Why?
Well what other zoo/animal farm in the world allows you to pat, hold and feed pretty much every single animal on its premises (well except for the koalas…and the giant crocodiles for obvious reaons)?!
That’s what you can expect at Hasting’s Funky Farm – a truly unique, hands-on experience that people of all ages will LOVE. Well everyone in my family certainly did.
This is a bookings only petting zoo. It’s located on a 10 acre family farm, housing native Australian animals. Make sure to head to their website to grab your tickets and book in for the 1.5hr tour.
Animals you’ll get to hold and pat (at the time of this writing) include snakes, lizards, kangaroos, emus, dingoes, wombats, sugar gliders, baby crocodiles and more.
You can also get up close to Australia’s most dangerous bird, the cassowary.
The sanctuary is dedicated to inclusivity, being wheelchair-friendly and offering specialized facilities for individuals with special needs.
While there are no cafes or picnic areas on-site, the all-inclusive entry fee covers all interactions and photo opportunities, making it a hassle-free experience.
The Funky Farm is a must see and I insist you put it at the top of your ‘To Do’ list!
ACCESSIBILITY – suitable for wheelchairs
FOOD AND DRINK – nowhere available to purchase food/drink so bring your own
2. The Big Goose – Mornington
Petting zoo, farmyard, native Australian wildlife park, splash park, adventure park…
Everything above and more, is how you’d describe The Big Goose, which is located in Moorooduc.
The Big Goose is the biggest mixed lolly bag of childish fun for people of all ages! It’s so brilliant, I even wrote a whole post on it, outlining all it’s attractions in detail.
But while you’re here on this post, let’s talk about the animals first…
Cows, donkey’s, alpacas, camels, ostriches, kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles, emu, deer, plus baby rabbits, pigs and to top it all off, squidgy, cute guinea pigs!
Depending on the animal, you can pet them, feed them and even hold them. Plus the park has daily wildlife shows to ohhhh and ahhh at, so check out their timetable while there.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the wildlife.
Families can enjoy the adventure playground, complete with slides, a rock climbing wall, and a sandpit, or challenge each other on the 18-hole mini-golf course. On warmer days, the splash park offers a refreshing way to cool down. Oh and one mustn’t forget about the tractor rides!
You can pre book tickets online, or get your tickets at the gate. Bring a picnic or purchase your food and snacks form the cafe on site.
So come one, come all, to Mornington’s favourite petting zoo/adventure park extravaganza!
ACCESSIBILITY – suitable for wheelchairs
FOOD AND DRINK – cafe onsite
3. Moonlit Sancturary – Pearcedale
In the heart of Pearcedale, which is just a smidge outside of the Mornington Peninsula, is Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park.
Just like the Funky Farm mentioned above, Moonlit Sanctuary is a unique, fully immersive experience, where you’ll get to both roam free with native Australian animals, and view many others within their enclosures.
This Mornington Peninsula wildlife park spans a whopping 25 acres and is home to over 400 animals representing more than 60 species. Put your walking shoes on people!
I’d allow at least a few hours to explore this Australian native wildlife park.
Visitors can walk freely unguided around the park, or book in guided tours, animal encounters and special night tours. The night tours are a real treat. There’s something quite magical about wandering a quiet wildlife park by lantern light watching the nocturnal animals go about their business.
If there during the day, keep an eye on their daily timetable as Moonlit Sanctuary hosts numerous wildlife talks and demonstrations all over the park throughout the day.
And if you want an extraordinary experience unlike any other, the “Keeper for a Day” program is for you. This program allows participants to work alongside the sanctuary’s animal keepers, helping with feeding and caring for the animals. I’m yet to do this myself, but it’s certainly on my “To Do” list!
The sanctuary was created with a vision of preserving Australia’s native wildlife and promoting conservation efforts. And as you wander around, their efforts to do this, are quite obvious.
Don’t miss out on exploring the Mornington Peninsula’s largest wildlife park and petting zoo.
ACCESSIBILITY – suitable for wheelchairs
FOOD AND DRINK – cafe onsite
4. Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard – Balnarring
Rustic and quaint, Rain, Hayne and Shine, is a family run farm which is much less touristy then the other petting zoos on the Mornington Peninsula.
In fact, you’ll feel like you’ve come to visit your country relatives, instead of being on an excursion to a Morn Pen tourist attraction.
Rain, Hayne and Shine farmyard and petting zoo is located in Balnarring.
After you park the car, you’ll walk down a path through the paddocks where a welcoming committee of lambs, sheep and goats await your hands for a pat. Yep, that’s right, the animals are the first to greet you! It’s cute.
Other animals you’ll meet as you wander around the working farm include ponies, pigs, chickens, alpacas, poultry, emus, donkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, emus and even dingoes.
The interactive nature of the farm encourages children to learn about animal care and farm life through hands-on activities such as feeding, petting, and grooming the animals.
There’s tractor rides, pony rides, and a small adventure playground for the kids too.
Also, keep your eyes peeled on their website for seasonal events and activities, such as lambing season, cow milking sessions and Easter egg hunts.
The farm doesn’t have a café, but it offers a large picnic area where visitors can enjoy their own food.
It’s definitely best to prebook your tickets, so click here to do so.
I’d also advise that this petting zoo is more for little kids, especially pre-school age. But don’t let that stop your older kids from visiting, I’m in my 40’s and I still loved it!
ACCESSIBILITY – not suitable for wheelchairs
FOOD AND DRINK – nowhere available to purchase food/drink so bring your own
5. Panorama Garden Estate – Boneo
Panorama Garden estate, located in Boneo, is much more than a petting zoo. It’s actually a spectacular 55 acre privately owned sanctuary boasting over 25 acres of meticulously curated gardens, showcasing more than 20,000 plants!
Its petting zoo area is but one tiny piece of this wondrous Mornington Peninsula tourist attraction.
In fact, I love this place so much that I actually featured it in my Hidden Gems post. Make sure you give it a read for more info on their gardens.
But for now, let’s focus on their petting zoo.
The petting zoo features an array of animals including alpacas, miniature goats, sheep, pigs and more, providing a hands-on experience where guests can feed and wander free in the animal’s shared paddock. Feel free to give the animals a loving pat, or a cuddle!
My daughter squealed with delight when she saw a miniature pony snoozing in a cubby house with a giant sized pig! I’ve never seen anything like it before!
In addition to common farm animals, the estate is home to several exotic and native species such as albino kangaroos, wallabies, and emus, as well as a vibrant collection of birds including many peacocks.
The owner of Panorama Estate is the biggest animal lover you’ll ever meet. She walked us around the animal/wildlife area telling us all the stories of how the animals came to be on her property. All the animals are free range, and are tended for with such love.
Panorama Estate is a booking only Mornington Peninsula tourist attraction. Make sure to book your tickets online here.
The unique combination of farm and exotic animals, housed on such an impressive and grand property, is an experience not to be missed.
ACCESSIBILITY – not suitable for wheelchairs
FOOD AND DRINK – nowhere available to purchase food/drink so bring your own
PETTING ZOO MORNINGTON PENINSULA MAP
Click on the partial square icon in the top right corner of the map to open a larger view.
Petting Zoo Mornington Peninsula Closing Thoughts
Each of the Mornington Peninsula Petting Zoos mentioned have their own unique qualities and drawcards.
Some, like Panorama Estate, the Funky Farm and Rain, Hayne & Shine, are small and quaint, offering a much personalised experience where you really feel like you’ve become a fair dinkum community member of the place. Hope that makes sense?!
While the sprawling grounds of The Big Goose and Moonlit Sancturary, have that ‘big zoo or adventure park’ vibe, and offer a more ‘touristy’ experience, but by no means is any less fun or incredible.
If I had to pick my favourite out of the petting zoos mentioned in this post, I would have to say it’s the Funky Farm. Their small group tours and the fact we got to touch/hold pretty much all the animals, offered a unique adventure that has left wondrous impressions on my mind.
But don’t take my word for it, get out there and visit all the zoos yourself!
FAQ’S about Petting Zoos Mornington Peninsula
How do I get to the Petting Zoos?
The fastest and easiest way (and certainly the way I would definitely recommend) to visit the Mornington Peninsula Petting Zoos, is drive your car or rent a car.
There is a bus service on the Mornington Peninsula which can get you near some of the attractions mentioned in this post. It is however slow and some walking could be involved.
Which of the Petting Zoos are free?
All zoos have a range of prices for adults and children. At the time of this writing, children below the ages of 2 are free at the Funky Farm, The Big Goose and Rain, Hayne & Shine. Children below the age of 4 are free at Moonlit Sanctuary and children below the age of 5 are free at Panorama Garden Estate.
Where can I book accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula?
There is a range of options, to suit various budgets, when it comes to accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula: camping, glamping, hotels, motels or rental of private houses.
To find the right accommodation for you, zoom in and out on the map below to see accommodation listings. Click on a price tag to explore the accommodation in more detail.
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You might also like to learn about:
- Hidden Beaches on the Mornington Peninsula that are favourite with the locals
- Hidden Gems to visit on the Mornington Peninsula that aren’t as ‘touristy’ as the hot-spots
- Unusual things to do on the Mornington Peninsula
