Tours/Sydney/Sydney Wildlife Safari
Viator · group up to 8 pax

Sydney Wildlife Safari

5.0(12)Sydney1 hour
VIATOR5.0(1)TRIPADVISOR5.0(11)

Description

Leave the city bustle behind and set off late-morning for an afternoon and evening immersed in nature, wildlife, and open spaces in the stunning Southern Highlands. With your wildlife guide, you’ll explore private farmland and untouched bushland, watching for kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, emus—and, if you’re lucky, the elusive platypus. As you wander this peaceful landscape, learn about the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, a vital habitat link that helps animals move safely between the southern Blue Mountains and Morton National Park. Parrots flash through the trees, and surprises await around every corner. At dusk, visit a quiet river to search for wild platypus - a rare, magical sight. After dinner at Australia’s oldest licensed inn, finish the night spotlighting gliders, possums, and wombats before returning to Sydney. It’s a unforgettable experience that leaves you with a deeper connection to Australia’s wild side.

Tour Options

Sydney Wildlife Safari

Itinerary

600 min

Meet your Sydney Bespoke Tours guide at the meeting point to begin an afternoon and evening of wildlife spotting in the wild. Depart Sydney for the 90 minute drive south to the picturesque town of Bowral. En route, learn about the animals we are likely to find, some we might spot, and how we will record any sightings. On arrival, enjoy a light lunch before learning about local wildlife conservation projects, monitoring programs, and the signs to look for when tracking our more elusive wildlife. The rest of the afternoon will be spent spotting wildlife at several locations. The area hosts an abundance of birds - from the universally-loved kookaburra to a host of colourful parrots, including Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Galah, Yellow-tailed and Glossy black cockatoo, and even emu - as well as some of our most iconic animals, such as echidna. In the evening, enjoy a well-earned dinner at an historic pub before returning to Sydney.

Highlights

Wildlife reference guides
Classic country pub dinner including a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
Light lunch (e.g. gourmet wraps)
Binoculars and handheld spotlights
Experienced, engaging and knowledgeable guide
Comfortable air-conditioned transport

What's included

Included
Wildlife reference guides
Classic country pub dinner including a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
Light lunch (e.g. gourmet wraps)
Binoculars and handheld spotlights
Experienced, engaging and knowledgeable guide
Comfortable air-conditioned transport
Not included
Gratuities

Traveller Ratings

5.0
12 reviews
5
12
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Participants should be able to walk 1km (half a mile) at a time, including over steep, rough and sometimes slippery trails and river banks.
  • Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing for walking. We recommend you check the weather forecast for Southern Highlands, NSW on the day of travel.
  • Not recommended for travelers with limited mobility
  • Minimum age to consume alcohol is 18 years. Photo ID may be requested as proof of age.

Reviews(12)

S
scottvR4664PA
June 13, 2026
Awesome time!

Steve was great! Very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about his work. People who love what they do ALWAYS pass that vibe on to others as they teach. This was our 1st time in Australia and didnt know what to expect. Our tour group was small & private (just me, my wife, and another couple), which made it easier to ask questions and learn. We saw over 24 different kinds of bird species, wombats, kangaroos, wallabys, bats, massive termite mounds, sugar gliders, brush-tailed possums, oreo-cows (obvious nickname), and even a highland cow. All were new to us, and all were easy to find/spot in the wild. Steve provided lights, binoculars, lunch, a delicious dinner (with an alcoholic drink), and even jackets... not to mention full transportation and a personal experience. We had an absolute blast, and are really happy we got this tour! THANKS AGAIN, STEVE!

Operator response

Hi Scott, Thank you for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. We're thrilled your first visit to Australia was such a memorable one, and we'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Steve. We truly appreciate your support and are delighted we could be part of your travels. Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back again one day! Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

C
CuriousFellow999
April 11, 2026
Nice relaxing day in the countryside viewing wildlife

A nice relaxing drive in the countryside with a group of only six of us and our gregarious and knowledgeable driver and guide, Steve. We saw a surprising number of species of birds and I was able to get decent photos of most of them. And, of course, we saw the usual suspects--eastern gray kangaroos and emus, which are always fun. The lunch was good and dinner at Australia's oldest continuously operating pub was great. After dinner, we used red torches to spot nocturnal wildlife and saw both ring-tailed and brush-tailed possums and a wombat. Would highy recommend for a nice day outside the city.

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It’s fantastic to hear that your visit left such a positive impression, and we're especially pleased you were able to capture some memorable photos along the way. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are grateful you chose to spend a day exploring with us. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

J
James_W
April 4, 2026
Once in a lifetime experience!

This was the absolute best experience I had in Australia! It was a small tour, just me and another solo traveler and Steve catered the experience to us. He is super knowledgeable, friendly and truly cares about conservation. Everything you see is in the wild. No pens, no cages, just wild Australian wildlife. I will treasure this experience for the rest of my life!!! If you do one thing in Australia, take this tour!!!!

Operator response

Hi James, Thank you for such a heartfelt review. Knowing that this experience became a highlight of your time in Australia means the world to us. We're especially grateful for your enthusiastic recommendation and will be sure to share your kind words with Steve. Wishing you many wonderful adventures ahead, and thank you for choosing to explore with us. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

R
randanNebraska
March 28, 2026
Great Experience

Awesome experience! Steve, the owner and our guide was superb. He was smart, fun and had a good eye for spotting wildlife. He knew exactly where and when to look. He gets just as excited as his customers when he spots something. And we saw a lot. Kangaroos, wallabies, possums, emu, rosellas, cockatoos, and too many other birds to mention. The sugar gliders were our favorite. Thanks for the experience of a lifetime, Steve.

Operator response

Thank you for your lovely review! It was a pleasure having you join us, and we're so grateful you chose to spend part of your Australian holiday with our small team. We'll make sure Steve sees your comments. Wishing you safe travels and plenty more unforgettable experiences wherever your adventures take you next. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

C
C2012KZkristinap
March 4, 2026
Awesome wildlife safari, highly recommend!

My husband and I had a wonderful time on the wildlife safari tour with our guide, Steve. It was awesome to see all of the wild animals in their natural habitats. It was especially cool to see the nocturnal dwellers—what a treat! As someone passionate about animal rights and ethical treatment, I’m so glad we found this tour so that we could safely and respectfully enjoy the company of our wild neighbors. The tour cost is a bit higher than other experiences you may find but I thought it was totally worth it. The tour went from noon until the evening, so lots of wildlife viewing time! And the tour is kept small—capped at 8 people; there were only 4 of us so it felt nice to not be in an overcrowded environment. Steve was an excellent, knowledgeable guide and he seemed just as excited to spot the wildlife as we were. This tour is best for anyone who loves wildlife and the natural environment and who is fine walking on sometimes uneven terrain. The tour could work well for a family, solo, or in pairs.

Operator response

Thank you for your thoughtful review. It means a great deal to us that you chose our tour and found it to be a worthwhile part of your Australian adventure. We're passionate about sharing wildlife in a responsible and respectful way, so your feedback is especially appreciated. We'll also make sure Steve receives your kind comments. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

B
B4347SAevant
February 28, 2026
This is definitely the best wildlife experience to choose when visiting Sydney.

The tour guide was extremely professional. At first, we thought the price was a bit high, but both lunch and dinner were absolutely delicious. Steve was incredibly thoughtful in every aspect — he prepared everything we might need and even brought extra warm clothing when the weather turned cold. Compared to regular tour groups, this experience was truly on another level. His explanations about the animals were very thorough and engaging, and the nighttime wildlife viewing was also a wonderful experience.

Operator response

Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted that you chose to spend the day with us and that the experience exceeded your expectations. Providing a personal and well-prepared experience for our guests is something we take great pride in, so your feedback means a lot. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Steve. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

9
982renaem
February 18, 2026
Emma Is the Best Tour Guide in Sydney, Australia!!!!

Emma Cummings was our tour guide. We thought there would be a few people on the tour and we found ourselves to be the only ones on this tour. Emma is extremely knowledgeable and educated in biology/science and it really showed as she took us about 90 km out of Sydney and into the surrounding neighborhoods to see the animals in their natural state. At first she showed us most all of the animals on paper then we drove around many areas to see what we could find. She brought us right to them, at a safe distance as to not harm or harass any of the critters. We saw crimson rosella, sulpher crested cockatoo, little corella, australian ibis, eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallaby, red neck wallaby, noisy miner, laughing kookaburra, eastern rosella, australian magpie, masked lap wing, wood duck, pacific duck, urasian coot, little black cormorant, galah, purple swamp hen, king parrots, rakali (water rat), platypus, ringtail possum, sugar glider, and the brush tail possum. We ate at the Surveyor General Inn (Australia's oldest continuously licensed inn) and the food was amazing, fabulous, spectacular and we reviewed what we had seen and its significance to Australia. I would recommend to everyone to do this tour with Emma, in particular, as it gave us so many pictures and an experience we will remember forever.

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review! We love hearing from guests who leave with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for Australia's unique wildlife. We'll be sure to pass your wonderful feedback on to Emma — she'll be delighted to know she made such a positive impact on your visit. Thank you for your recommendation and support. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

M
marilyng588
February 11, 2026
Wildlife Galore!!!

This experience is not to be missed! We had the most amazing day with friendly, funny, and knowledgeable Steve, who was as excited about all of our wildlife sightings as we were. Steve is so passionate about all things Australia and it made for an absolute perfect day! The list of all the unique wildlife we saw is far too long to post here, so many! To cap off a perfect night he took us to an area with no light pollution to take in the most unforgettable night sky with a mob of kangaroo all around us, truly magical! Food was amazing and we truly appreciated the effort to cater to our plant based diet! The thoughtful stop at the front door of our hotel at the end of the night was also so appreciated! Amazing! A++++ Thank you!!!!

Operator response

Hi Marilyn, What a joy to read your review! Thank you for taking the time to share it. It means so much to our team when guests leave with memories they'll treasure long after their trip has ended. We'll make sure Steve sees your kind words, and we're especially pleased we could accommodate your dietary requirements and help make your visit as comfortable as possible. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

L
luv2travelHonolulu
January 30, 2026
Great from start to finish

Wonderful from booking to return to hotel. Steve and Danielle were both great. Steve found us so many birds and animals. We even saw a platypus! Having the binoculars and red spot lights for us was so helpful in enjoying the safari. Weather was warm but dry making walking easier. Imagine it wouldn’t have been as pleasant had the dirt been mud.

Operator response

Thank you for your lovely review. It’s wonderful to hear that everything ran smoothly from start to finish and that our team helped make the day such a memorable one. We'll be sure to share your kind comments with both Steve and Danielle. We truly appreciate you choosing to explore with us and taking the time to share your experience. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

5
536pollym
November 11, 2025
Astonishing variety of wildlife seen in one day!

An absolutely brilliant day....over 30 species seen in the company of the lovely Steve, whose knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife was terrific. The variety of birds was amazing, and I never thought we'd be lucky enough to see platypus and echidna close up...wonderful. Lunch and dinner were lovely, the transport very comfortable. I highly recommend this trip. Thank you Steve.

Operator response

Thank you for such a lovely review. Encounters with Australia's unique wildlife often become the memories that travellers talk about long after they return home, and we're delighted your day was filled with so many special moments. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are grateful you chose to join us. Cheers, from all of the team @SydneyWildlifeSafari.com

You might also like...