We all know kids and animals go hand-in-hand (unless, of course, you are in the film industry)! Here we have listed some of Brisbane’s best animal farms to explore ranging from farm experiences to rescue animals and full-on animal farms! 

Spending time with animals has been known to calm an anxious child, cheer up a sad child, or complement a happy child. So whether you are looking to feed the animals, pat them, or just be in their company and take pictures, there are plenty of opportunities for animal experiences in and around Brisbane.

Visiting an animal farm provides families with a wonderful day out. Not only is there a large variety of animals to see, but there are also often other fun, family-friendly activities to partake in, including mini-golf, horse rides or tractor rides. This article is mainly about farm animals with alpacas and camels the most  exotic animals you will likely find in this collection. 

Find an animal farm near you

White Ridge Animal Farm 

Animals: Goats, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, sheep, donkey, horses, ponies, guinea pigs, birds (budgies, parakeets, cockatiels), camel, llamas and alpacas.

Other activities: Mini golf, hayride, animal feeding, playground, parties, and group visits.  

Located approximately 50km north of Brisbane, animal lovers will enjoy exploring the family-owned and run White Ridge Animal Farm. Visitors can feed the animals (a cup of food is provided on entry), pat the animals or even take selfies with them. Resident animals include cows, goats, pigs, horses, chickens, geese, ducks, a donkey and even a cheeky camel. Depending what time of year you visit, you make be lucky enough to see the incredibly adorable chicks, piglets or kids (baby goats that is!). You can literally spend an entire day here and you will know when you leave why this one of Brisbane’s most popular animals farms. 

Make a day of it by packing a picnic, sinking a hole-in-one at the mini golf course, or just kick back and watch the kids have fun on the playgrounds. 

Location: 130 Hamilton Road, Elimbah

For further details read our White Ridge Animal Farm review.  

Trevena Glen Farm

Animals:  Sheep, horses, pigs, goats, donkeys, alpacas, llama, mini horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, turkeys, chickens and a friendly farm dog.

Other activities: Farm tours, horse riding lessons, equine assisted learning, NDIS program, birthday parties, excursions, music lessons and holiday activities. 

It is easy to see why this is one of our favourite places for animal mad kids but also one of Brisbane’s best animal farms. Nestled in foothills of the beautiful D’Aguilar Range, 40min from the Brisbane CBD, Trevena Glen Farm allows visitors to experience farm life and interact with a variety of animals in a semi petting zoo type environment which includes goats, donkeys, chickens and alpacas. Families will adore getting up close and patting the cuddly animals and have lots of giggles as they go for a ride in the tractor wagon.

For a more hands-on and in-depth experience consider booking a tour. Tours range from 1hr – 3hrs and can include grooming and washing the animals, collecting eggs, picking vegetables from the veggie patch or moving the animals to different paddocks. 

Trevena Glen Farm is located around 10 minutes drive from Lyell Deer Sanctuary and if you have the parental stamina you could literally manage both in the one day.

Location: 1100 Winn Road, Mount Samson

For further details read our Trevena Glen Farm review.

EWE Nique Hobby Farm – Haigslea

Animals: Sheep, goats, alpacas, chicken, geese and peacocks.

Other activities: Birthday parties, group visits, a sheep race day and other special events.

This rural, 20-acre property halfway between Brisbane and Toowoomba, will have you feeling relaxed and at one with nature as soon as you enter. Farmer Dave and Penny run this authentic hobby farm and are always on hand to tell you a yarn about the animals or give visitors more information about their much-loved animal family.

You can get up-close with the goats and sheep or for those a little more reserved, you can stand on the other side of the pens and just observe. Aside from playing with the animals, guests can pull up a hale bale and relax while savouring some delicious treats (we recommend the raspberry and coconut muffins) or a drink, while taking in the scenic surroundings and listening to the animals and birds chatter among themselves.

Location: 187 Missigs Road, Haigslea (just off the Warrego Highway)

For further details read our EWE Nique Hobby Farm review.

Lyell Deer Sanctuary

Animals: Deer, goats, cattle, ducks and chickens.

Other activities: Adopt a Reindeer

This may not be a massive farm, but it certainly is a serene place to visit and get close to animals (namely deer).  For over 30 years Lyell Deer Sanctuary has been a peaceful refuge for rescued deer, and now visitors can enjoy hand-feeding, petting and chilling out with the resident herd of deer and learn about this majestic animal. You can tell how much the caretakers of these deer really care about them and the work that they do and this in itself makes for a lovely animal experience to have with your kids. 

After meeting the animals and giving them a pat or some food, stop by the small café for a bite to eat or bring along your own snacks for a picnic in this rural setting. They offer extended hours on school holidays but otherwise are open on weekends during school terms.

Most visitors will drive through Samford on their way, so you might want to consider a small rest stop here and vanilla slice at the Samford Patisserie. 

Location: 6 Lyell Court, Mount Samson

For further details read our Lyell Deer Sanctuary review.

The Llama Farm

Animals: Llamas, sheep, donkeys, miniature goats, miniature ponies, rabbits, camels, turkeys, geese, peafowl and working dogs.

Other activities: Guided llama walks and farm tours.

Set on 80 acres, this picturesque working farm near Ipswich is home to the largest llama herd in Queensland. Rather than keeping them all to themselves, they open their gates to the public so they too can appreciate and get to know the cheeky llamas and other farm animals.

Bookings are required, with three amazing experiences to choose from (Faces of the Farm tour, Guided Llama Walk or the Little Llama Farmers Children’s Experience). When you visit The Llama Farm, not only will you get to see some cute animals, but you will also learn the history of the local area, the farm and of course, the animals.

Location: 563 Riverside Drive, Pine Mountain

Read more about the Llama Farm at Pine Mountain

More Brisbane Animal Experiences

Some other awesome places which have animals in the region include:

• Samford Lifestyle Centre a range of farm animals you can ogle. Entry by gold coin donation, animals vary depending on the time of year but highlights have included baby donkeys and goats. 
• Capalaba Produce Because this is a produce centre you can expect to see a range of different farm animals
• Maleny Dairies Take a farm tour and see how a real like dairy in action
• Naughty Little Kids Did someone say baby goats! We did! 
• Mountain View Alpaca Farm This popular alpaca farm is known for its spunky looking alpacas and the winery next door. You can literally picnic with the alpacas! 
• Paradise Country Farm animals galore feature at Paradise Country farm

Brisbane’s Best Animal Farms and Supporting Local

Locals tip: The vast majority of the Brisbane’s best animal farms featured in this collection are located in places out of suburbia, some in country and rural areas of South East Queensland. Before you leave home, grab yourself an esky with some iceblocks and consider stopping on your way to support local producers and country stores. In some cases you will be able to purchase produce from the actual farm, which is a lovely way to carry on the experience when you get back home.