Sydney Zoo Animal Encounters: Which Are Worth It?
Updated: Oct 1
Want to get closer to the animals at Sydney Zoo?
We’ve tried several of its animal experiences over the years, including the meerkat encounter twice, plus squirrel monkeys, camel feeding, a seasonal reptile pop-up and the free wallaby interaction area.
Here’s what each one was actually like, what they currently cost, and which ones we’d choose again.
Sydney Zoo at a glance
Sydney Zoo is in Bungarribee, Western Sydney, around 40 minutes from the CBD. It is home to more than 150 species and includes both a zoo and aquarium.
Ticket prices vary by date, and parking is included. Annual passes may also be worth considering if you plan to visit more than once or book one of the more expensive encounters.
Before you book an encounter
Animal encounters are booked separately from zoo admission, and age, height and supervision requirements vary.
Meerkat Encounter — the one we booked twice
Of all the animal encounters we’ve tried at Sydney Zoo, the meerkat encounter is the one we’ve actually gone back and done again.
The experience is very hands-on. You go behind the scenes with the keepers and hand-feed the meerkat mob while the animals move freely around you. Depending on what they choose to do, they may climb onto your lap, sit beside you or move between participants while they eat.
Current details
Price: $120 per person
Members: $108
Minimum age: 8
Maximum group size: 6
Sessions: 9:45am, 11:30am and 2:00pm
Each participant aged up to 16 must currently be accompanied by a paying participating adult on a 1:1 basis.
Best for: families wanting the most immersive animal encounter.
Squirrel Monkey Encounter — a very lucky visit
The squirrel monkey encounter was another extremely close and interactive experience. You go behind the scenes with the keepers, sit inside the encounter area and hand-feed the troop while the monkeys move around you.
We were especially lucky when the boys did this encounter because there had recently been babies born in the troop. As well as feeding the adult squirrel monkeys, they also got to meet a mother with her baby up close.
Current details
Price: $100 per person
Members: $90
Minimum age: 8
Minimum height: 1.25 m
Maximum group size: 4
Session: 10:00am daily
Participants aged up to 16 currently require a paying participating adult on a 1:1 basis.
Best for: kids who love primates and want a very close, interactive experience.
Camel Encounter — an easy, lower-cost add-on
The camel encounter is a very different experience from the meerkats and squirrel monkeys.
It is shorter, much cheaper and easier to add to a normal zoo day.
Visitors go into the encounter area with the keepers, learn about the camels, hand-feed one and have the opportunity to take a photo.
Current details
Price: $9.99 per person
Members: $8.99
Minimum age: 5
Maximum group size: 20
Session: 12:00pm daily
Children aged 5–11 must have an adult with them inside the encounter area. The supervising adult does not currently need to pay unless they also want to feed the camel themselves.
Children aged 12–15 can participate without an adult inside the encounter, although an adult still needs to remain nearby.
Best for: an inexpensive first animal encounter or an easy add-on to a zoo day.
Other close-up animal experiences to look out for
Wallabies — a free close-up experience
In this area, the wallabies are free to move around while visitors stay on the designated walkway and seating areas.
If one chooses to come close, you can sometimes get a lovely spontaneous interaction. We’ve had wallabies come right up beside us, sit nearby and allow a gentle pat.
Cost: included with zoo admission
Best for: a relaxed, unplanned animal interaction
Seasonal reptile pop-up
On one summer visit, Sydney Zoo also had a smaller reptile pop-up experience where visitors could pay to go inside and hold snakes.
This was not the full reptile encounter currently advertised by Sydney Zoo. It was a much more casual seasonal activity and was available as an add-on during our visit.
It is worth keeping an eye out for experiences like this when you visit, as Sydney Zoo sometimes runs temporary or seasonal activities alongside its permanent encounters.
Which Sydney Zoo Animal Encounter Would We Choose?
If you’re trying to decide which Sydney Zoo animal encounter is worth booking, here’s how I’d compare the ones we’ve tried.
Experience | Price | Best for | Our take |
Meerkat Encounter | $120 / $108 members | Best overall experience | Our favourite and the one we’d pay for again |
Squirrel Monkey Encounter | $100 / $90 members | Primate lovers | Lots of close interaction, but stricter height requirements |
Camel Encounter | $9.99 / $8.99 members | Best affordable add-on | An easy extra to add to a normal zoo day |
Wallaby Area | Included with admission | Younger children | Free opportunity to get close to the wallabies |
Reptile Pop-Up | Varies | A bonus if available | Fun seasonal extra rather than something to plan your visit around |
Meerkat Encounter: Our Favourite
If we were choosing just one, the meerkat encounter would still be our pick.
We enjoyed it enough to book it twice, and the amount of interaction makes it feel like a genuine animal experience rather than simply an upgraded feeding opportunity.
At $120, it’s the most expensive of the encounters we’ve tried, but it’s also the one we’d be most likely to pay for again.
Squirrel Monkey Encounter: Best for Primate Fans
The squirrel monkey encounter would be our second choice.
You get incredibly close to the monkeys, and we were lucky enough to visit when there were babies.
At $100, I think it’s particularly worthwhile if your kids love primates.
Camel Encounter: Best Affordable Option
The camel encounter is the best option if you want something much more affordable, or simply want to add a small animal experience to a normal zoo day.
At under $10, it’s an easy add-on, and it’s open to children from age 5.
It obviously isn’t comparable with spending extended time inside the meerkat or squirrel monkey enclosure, but for the price, it’s a fun extra.
Wallaby Area: Best Free Animal Experience
For younger children, or if you don’t want to pay for a full encounter, the free wallaby area is well worth visiting.
We’ve had wallabies come right up beside us and allow a gentle pat, so you can still get that close-up animal experience without paying anything beyond your normal zoo admission.
Reptile Pop-Up: A Fun Seasonal Extra
The reptile pop-up was a fun surprise, but it’s more of a seasonal extra than a full animal encounter. If one is running during your visit, it’s worth stopping by, but I wouldn’t plan a trip around it.
So, Which Sydney Zoo Animal Encounter Is Best?
For us, the meerkat encounter is still the standout and the one we’d choose if booking a single premium experience.
The squirrel monkeys are a close second, particularly for kids who love primates.
If you don’t want to spend $100+ on an encounter, the camel experience offers a completely different price point at under $10, while the wallaby area gives families a free opportunity to get close to the animals.
Prices are current at the time of writing and may change. Check the Sydney Zoo website for current prices, age and height requirements, and availability before booking.
More animal encounters in Sydney
If your kids love close-up animal experiences, we’ve also tried the Penguin Feeding Encounter at Featherdale Wildlife Park. It’s a very different experience from Sydney Zoo’s encounters, with the chance to help feed the penguins and learn more about them from the keeper.
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