Whether you’re a tourist or local, child or senior, there’s always a little something special about seeing a kangaroo hopping about. And if you live in the city like us, you do need to venture out of town a bit to see them.
So, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite places to see kangaroos and wallabies hopping about in spots where there’s plenty else to do, too.
Where to see kangaroos in the wild near Sydney
Hunter Valley
Where is it? About two hours northwest of Sydney, or 45 minutes west of Newcastle.
Best time to go: April, May, September or October
What else there is to do there: Go wine tasting, dine on local cuisine
With wide-open spaces and plenty of greenery, the Hunter Valley tends to attract not only visitors looking to sample Australian wine, but plenty of kangaroos, too.
In cooler weather, or as dusk approaches, you’re just about guaranteed to see kangaroos hopping through the vineyards in New South Wales’ largest wine region.
For a guaranteed sighting, consider a visit to Hunter Valley Wildlife Park. There’s an interactive kangaroo and wallaby experience where you can purchase roo-friendly food and watch them eat it right out of your hands.
✅ We’ve seen them here!
Southern Highlands
Where is it? About 90 minutes southwest of Sydney.
Best time to go: October to April
What else there is to do there: Visit charming country towns, vineyards and scenic waterfalls.
We feel like we were late to the Southern Highlands game. It’s where the Hunter Valley meets the Blue Mountains, but with plenty of wildlife and a handful of charming towns to explore too. When driving around, or visiting local vineyards, expect to see kangaroos and wallabies hopping about.
Open fields and throughout vineyards are some of the best places to spot them, so after a walk around Bowral or Moss Vale, head out of town and test your luck. Cooler weather and late in the day are some of the best times to spot them around here!
✅ We’ve seen them here!
Kangaroo Valley
Where is it? About two hours south of Sydney
Best time to go: October to April
What else there is to do there: Paddle down the river, explore the region’s national parks and go camping.
If you really want to get away from it all, and have a chance to see not just kangaroos but wombats, too, then Kangaroo is an excellent choice. It’s a bit more rustic than the Hunter Valley or Southern Highlands and boasts plenty of natural wonders.
You may be able to spot kangaroos as you kayak down the Kangaroo River, or for a less strenuous option, hop over to the golf course where the critters like to hang out or check out Yarrawa Estate to see if they’re hanging out between the vines.
✅ We’ve seen them here!
Canberra
Where is it? Three hours south-west of Sydney
Best time to go: October, November, March and April
What else there is to do there: Check out museums, galleries and parliament buildings.
Okay, we know this one is a bit further from Sydney and technically out of state, but Canberra is riddled with kangaroos. If you’re not familiar with the city’s layout, it’s made up of a handful of ‘satellite’ cities with plenty of open space in between them. Just about every time we’ve been to Canberra (and we’ve been a lot!) we’ve seen them in these fields.
If you’re looking for a bit more of an urban escape, it’s a great place to get a taste of another Australian city while having a very high chance of spotting kangaroos.
✅ We’ve seen them here!
Wildlife parks with kangaroos near Sydney
And we’re not talking about classic zoos where they’re behind barriers. These spots let you get up close and personal with our national animal.
Full disclosure: We’ve not been to any of these wildlife parks. We’ve had great success seeing kangaroos in the wild, including most of the spots above. But, we’ve done plenty of research and have heard good things about these spots. Plus, at these, you’re guaranteed to see kangaroos.
WILD LIFE Sydney, CBD
Right in the CBD, WILD LIFE Sydney is an ideal option for anyone visiting the city and short on time. You’ll be able to meet Dot, Nutmeg, Kirby, Julie, Frankie and more kangaroos right at Darling Harbour. It won’t be a big, natural environment, but is a way to easily see some of Australia’s most iconic creatures..
Featherdale, Doonside
Long a popular alternative to Taronga Zoo, Featherdale sits in Sydney’s western suburbs. There’s a bit more space for the animals to roam around, but it’s still relatively accessible from the city. You can get to Featherdale by taking a train to Doonside and then a 10-minute bus ride.
