The Secret Hack to Getting up Close and Personal to Koalas and Kangaroos in Sydney (2024)

Check out this unique opportunity to connect with wildlife in a way that’s both intimate and inspiring.

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s soon as I touched down in Sydney, I had a feeling that New South Wales would quickly capture my heart. Coming from Los Angeles, I had heard the similarities between the two coastal cities were uncanny, which is likely why I immediately felt relaxed and right at home as soon as I settled into my hotel. The warm sunshine and breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbour immediately drew me in, while the delicious fresh Sydney rock oysters served at Aria Sydney (just across from the Sydney Opera House) exceeded my every expectation and kept me satiated as I powered through jet lag and plunged into my ambitious itinerary of sightseeing the glittering capital city.

Day after day, I made my way about town consuming copious amounts of mouth-watering fresh seafood while taking in the striking views from the iconic Icebergs Dining Room and Bar at Bondi Beach, explored the artistic exhibitions on display at Vivid Sydney, and even overcame my fear of heights by bravely scaling the epic Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb. I indulged in a tantalizing array of impressive local eats (White Horse, King Clarence, and Pellegrino 2000, where Taylor Swift famously dined were extraordinary standouts); but I still had yet to cross off one big bucket list item of mine in Australia: posing with cuddly kangaroos and koala bears before I left.

You see, I’ve always wanted an epic animal photo in Australia, especially since the wildlife is world-famous and unlike anywhere else. My first kangaroo encounter during the trip occurred during a serene weekend stay at The Osborn House, an inviting five-star escape in the picturesque Southern Highlands where the pouched mammals freely hop around the luxury cabins (and the newly launched Forest Lodge accommodations) at dusk. Admittedly, I screamed with uncontrollable glee and amazement when I first laid eyes on the massive marsupial and terrifyingly darted out of its way when I felt I was possibly invading its territory and in harm’s way. As memorable of an experience as that was, I craved a more up close (and safer) experience—complete with daytime lighting for a proper photo capture in the days to come.

Enter Symbio Wildlife Park, the family-owned zoo just outside of Sydney (and conveniently on the way back from The Osborn House) that is home to countless furry creatures including red pandas, koalas, kangaroos, meerkats, cheetahs, and more. Instead of simply securing general admission tickets, I highly recommend splurging on the VIP experiences like the Aussie Zoom Private Tour, which is priced at $200 per person but gives you intimate and immediate access to the adorable wildlife without any barriers.

How to Get the Best VIP Tour Experience

Book in Advance: Due to limited spots, it’s advisable to book your private tour in advance and arrive on time.

Bring a Camera: Don’t miss the opportunity to capture your unique experience and make sure you have adequate storage and battery life. The animal interactions are absolutely incredible, and you won’t want to miss a moment.

Check the Weather: Tours operate in most weather conditions, but extreme weather may affect the experience (not to mention the quality of your photos!)

Best of all, each VIP tour is tailored to the group’s personal preferences and is packed with fascinating facts and tidbits about the mammals that will make you love them even more. I found the private tour experience well worthwhile, given that our group included a mix of local Aussies, animal enthusiasts, American tourists, and savvy content creators looking for Instagram-worthy shots. All in all, I can attest that Symbio’s guides go to great lengths to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone that’s efficient, interesting, and impactful.

“At Symbio Wildlife Park, our VIP tours offer guests a unique opportunity to connect with wildlife in a way that’s both intimate and inspiring. Whether you’re meeting our cheeky meerkats or cuddling a koala, every encounter is designed to create lasting memories,” says Brodie Meney, a representative for Symbio Wildlife Park.

“We’ve had the privilege of hosting numerous high-profile guests over the years, and we take pride in offering the same world-class experience to every visitor. Our tours not only highlight the incredible diversity of our animals but also our commitment to conservation and education.”

During our personalized tour, I playfully cuddled up with plush koalas and watched with amazement as they hopped from tree branch to tree branch and observed their endearing personalities firsthand. I learned about their unique eucalyptus diet and intriguing mating interactions and scored as many social media-worthy videos and photos as my camera could quickly capture.

Next, we ventured over to visit the kangaroos and couldn’t believe the sheer amount of friendly joeys and boxers alike happily bounding towards us. A major perk of the VIP tour is that the guides will politely prioritize your group’s overall experience and keep onlookers at bay, ensuring that everyone has epic photos and individual one-on-one time with their furry friends without any distractions from other guests or lurkers in the background. I’ll never forget feeding the roos firsthand and feeling like the ultimate queen of the kangas as they happily surrounded me on the grass and seemingly even smiled for the cameras, too. My photos are already framed and on display back home in L.A.

I’ve already spilled the beans on this epic experience to friends and family members and simply can’t recommend it enough. While I loved every second of my visit to Sydney, playing with a pack of kangaroos in a field of grass and nuzzling up to a few sleepy koala bears was easily the highlight of my entire Australian adventure and I can’t wait to do it again.

And finally, once you’ve had your fill of wildlife for the day, make your way over to The Imperial at Clifton restaurant for captivating coastal views and tasty casual bites like fish and chips, prawn rolls, soft shell crab, and fresh yellowfin tuna ceviche, to name a few. Soak in the ocean breeze, scroll through your camera roll (now filled with epic kangaroo content), and toast to an unforgettable afternoon Down Under.