Brisbane weekends, I really don’t know where to go? Animal lovers all must go through this! These 6 small animal farms have deer, alpacas, camels, and rainforest bird feeding, suitable for self-driving, photography, and zoning out for a whole day.
Best Animal Farms in Brisbane
Mountview Alpaca Farm (1.5 hrs)
Walk alpacas around a vineyard, the brown one is really stubborn! About 80+ can be shared by 2 people per animal. Alpacas, vineyards, valley scenery together are very photogenic. You can also combine a trip to Canungra / Tamborine.
Open: Mon–Sun 9am–4pm
If you want a relaxing and healing niche farm experience near the Gold Coast, Mountview Alpaca is worth spending half a day. The main experience here is close interaction with alpacas. The environment is quiet and natural, suitable for couples, families, and friends.
Basic information
Address: Mountview Alpaca Farm
852 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra
Located in the Gold Coast Hinterland (inland valley area), inside O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards.
Transport: Self-driving is the most convenient. From Surfers Paradise it takes about 30–40 minutes. There is parking at the farm. Public transport is not convenient.
Alpaca walking experience
— This is the most popular experience here
The farm has more than 50 alpacas. Each has a name and different personality. Some are gentle, some are a bit “stubborn”. If you don’t get along well, you can politely ask staff to change.
Cost: 3 AUD per bag of alpaca feed. Choose one alpaca. Pricing depends on time: 49 AUD / 30 minutes, 89 AUD / 60 minutes. Charged per alpaca, not per person. Multiple people can walk one alpaca.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat (2 hrs)
Main highlight is rainforest bird feeding. Buy bird feed at the café and gift shop, then go to the O’Reilly campground area to feed birds. Birds can fly onto your hands and shoulders, very interactive, good for filming videos.
In the off-season, less than 200 AUD per night (including tax, about 900 RMB) can get:
A mountain cabin
A balcony facing a western lawn, where you can see sunset layered mountains in the distance and grazing kangaroos nearby
Waking up service from king parrots
Wake up in the morning with birds chirping outside the window
Natural lung cleansing
The resort is located in Lamington National Park. It is easy to do the Booyong Walk hike, visit canopy walkways, giant tree hollows, and the air is very fresh
Lyell Deer Sanctuary (1 hr)
A very warm deer sanctuary, admin fee 10 AUD, includes a small bag of feed. An elderly lady will explain the story and personality of each deer. Do not let deer see your feed bag, or you will be “surrounded”.
Open: Sat–Sun 10am–4pm
Lyell Deer Sanctuary
Open weekends 10am–4pm
No booking needed, but may open more days during school holidays
Ticket: 5 AUD, includes feed 1 AUD per bag
There are red deer, fallow deer, and others. They are rescued from the wild. You can walk among them and feed them by hand. They gently eat from your hands and may lick your hands. Very healing close contact.
Staff share knowledge about deer and other animals, such as antler growth and shedding, so you can learn while interacting with animals. Through close contact with these rescued animals, people better understand the importance of protecting animals and develop love for wildlife and nature.
Trevena Glen Farm (45 mins)
A complete small animal farm near Brisbane, with many animal encounters, horse riding experiences, and a treehouse. Many activities require separate tickets and are relatively expensive.
Open: Mon–Sat 8am–4pm
A good place for kids! I saw this farm occasionally on Facebook, then it kept getting recommended. I thought Brisbane was quite boring, so I took the kids to have a look.
Tickets need to be booked online in advance. There are Group Tour and Personal Tour options. Group means sharing with others. Group tickets bought in advance are 20 per person. Personal is more expensive, like a VIP service.
But I think Group is enough. One hour touching sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs is already about the limit for kids. In a group it also avoids awkward conversations with the guide.
Overall service is good. Horse riding costs extra. There are many mosquitoes, best to wear long pants and sports shoes. There is also a playground and café where you can buy snacks, but it is recommended to bring your own food. There are many tables inside, very convenient for simple meals.
There is also a deer park nearby and Samford town that can be combined in one trip.
Summer Land Camels (1 hr)
A quite special camel farm near Brisbane, you can feed and ride camels! You can even drink camel milk!
Open: Mon–Sun 9am–3pm (winter) / 4pm (summer)
Summer Land Camels
8 Charles Chauvel Dr, Harrisville QLD 4307
The largest camel farm in Australia, with 400+ rescued camels. Open daily. Free entry. You can touch camels and take photos. Feed camels for 3 AUD per bag. Paid camel riding and farm tours are available. Book via official website. During school holidays there are more activities; outside school holidays only weekends.
The café and gift shop also sell camel-related food products and skincare items.
We joined the farm tour, about 1 hour. We saw camels in different areas (pregnant, newborn, milking). We saw the milking room, birthing area, and dairy processing area. At the end of the tour, we also tried camel milk and camel cheese.
During school holidays, more activity times are available. West Moreton Region sometimes runs events with the farm. Seasonal markets are also held. Information can be found on the official website.
White Ridge Farm (1 hr)
A classic farm collection, suitable for kids or weekend casual visits with friends. Adult ticket 34 AUD.
Open: Tue–Sun 9am–3pm
White Ridge Farm is located in Elimbah, Queensland, close to both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. It is an interactive farm suitable for family trips.
About 1 hour from Brisbane west, with easy driving roads.
The farm has camels, alpacas, goats, pigs, rabbits and other animals. You can feed and pat them, and also ride a tractor or mini train around the farm.
There are mini golf, children’s playground, picnic areas, and a café kiosk. Open Tue–Sun 9:00–15:00 (open daily during school holidays).
Tickets are about 34 AUD for adults, 17 AUD for children, under 2 years free.
The mini golf is quite basic.
Feels more suitable for younger children.