See iconic Australian wildlife in the wild!
- 8 Travellers
- 100% Wild Sightings
- 10 Hours
Highlights
Iconic wildlife
Spend an afternoon and evening spotting iconic Australian wildlife, such as kangaroos, in the wild.
Unique birdlife
See a stunning array of native Australian birds including kookaburras, rosellas, cockatoos, galahs and emus.
Escape the city
Slow down to nature's pace as you traverse the bushland and rolling green hills of the Southern Highlands.
Conservation insights
Learn about local wildlife conservation projects, monitoring, and tracking of threatened and endangered species.
Citizen science
Contribute to research and conservation by reporting sightings of threatened and endangered species.
Night spotting
Venture out after dark to spot nocturnal marsupials, like possums and gliders, with special red-tinted spotlights.
What you'll do
Leave the hustle of the city behind and head out late-morning for an afternoon and evening of nature, wildlife, and wide open spaces in the beautiful Southern Highlands. Guided by a local wildlife expert, you’ll explore private farmland and untouched bushland, keeping your eyes peeled for some of Australia’s most iconic animals – kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, emus, and, if you’re lucky, a platypus or two.
As you wander through this peaceful landscape, you’ll learn about the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, an important stretch of habitat that helps native animals move safely between the southern Blue Mountains and Morton National Park. It’s the kind of place where parrots flash through the trees, and there’s always a chance of spotting something unexpected.
As the day winds down, you’ll head to one of the region’s rivers around dusk to try and spot a platypus in the wild. It’s a rare and magical experience, and by simply being there, you’ll be contributing to an important project that’s helping researchers better understand and protect these fascinating creatures.
After a hearty dinner at Australia’s oldest continuously licensed inn, there’s one last adventure—spotlighting for nocturnal animals. With special red-filtered lights, you’ll go in search of wombats, possums, and Tawny Frogmouths before heading back to Sydney later in the evening.
It’s an unforgettable experience that leaves you with a deeper connection to Australia’s wild side.
What's included
- Experienced, engaging and knowledgeable guide
- Light lunch of gourmet wraps, juice and water
- Dinner at an historic inn with a drink from the bar
- Use of binoculars, handheld spotlights and wildlife reference guides
- Comfortable air-conditioned transport
Where we go
We explore the stunning Southern Highlands, just 90 minutes from Sydney, venturing through private farmland and along forest trails. From open bushland to quiet rivers, each location is carefully chosen for the best chance of spotting native wildlife in the wild.
Need to know
Guest requirements
- Participants should be able to walk 1km (half a mile) at a time, including over steep, rough and sometimes slippery trails and river banks. (See FAQs below for more details).
- Minimum age 12 years. Participants under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.
- Minimum age to consume alcohol is 18 years. Photo ID may be requested as proof of age.
Meeting point
What to bring
- Comfortable clothing for walking.
- Dress in warm layers during the cooler months from May to October. We recommend you check the weather forecast for Southern Highlands, NSW on the day of travel.
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes to protect your feet on rough trails, and from sharp vegetation and bitey critters!
- A hat, sunscreen and reusable water bottle.
Group size
Minimum 2. Maximum 8.
Private option
Pay for a minimum of six adults to make your tour private. Select Private Tour on the calendar to check availability and to book.
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FAQs
Do you guarantee wildlife sightings?
Absolutely! You are guaranteed to see iconic Australian wildlife on every tour. The exact species can vary from day to day. Some animals, like many of our unique birds and kangaroos, are usually seen every day. Others are seen less frequently, either because there are fewer of them or their behaviour changes with the seasons. No two tours are ever the same!
Among the wide variety of bird species we usually see are kookaburra, Australian magpie, grey butcherbird, magpie-lark, currawong, purple swamphen, Pacific black duck, white cockatoo, little corella, crimson rosella, eastern rosella and emu. In the late afternoon we see eastern grey kangaroo, red-necked wallaby and, about 50% of the time, platypus. After dark, we usually see brush-tailed possum, ringtail possum and, particularly during the cooler months, wombat.
How much walking is involved?
In order to see wildlife in the wild we will walk up to 1 km / ½ mile in some places, and in others it may be just a few steps from the vehicle. The walking is typically along trails over uneven ground, including steps, inclines and steep river banks, and some areas can be muddy when it rains. To see nocturnal wildlife, we will be walking and using spotlights after dark.
Participants should wear sturdy closed-toe shoes for protection on rough trails, and from sharp vegetation and bitey critters!
Is this like an African safari?
Yes and no!
Yes, we spend an afternoon and evening in search of unique Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. Typically we’ll spot a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles, including several of the iconic species known as Australia’s Big Five – kangaroo, emu, wombat, platypus and – on rare occasions – koala.
On the other hand, we travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle fitted with USB charging ports, have periodic access to flushing toilets, and enjoy a classic Australian pub meal in the evening.
See the Q&As above for more details.
Does the tour go to the Blue Mountains?
The Sydney Wildlife Safari traverses bushland and pastures in the Southern Highlands region, just over an hour south of Sydney.
Can you accommodate special dietary requirements?
Yes, we can cater to some. For both lunch and dinner, there are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The kitchen staff take great care to accommodate those with food allergies e.g. to nuts, however cannot guarantee that the final product does not contain traces of the allergen.
Can you pick me up from my hotel?
To save anyone from sitting in the vehicle while we navigate Sydney’s one-way streets for 30–40 minutes, we have a central meeting point outside the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay, 30 Pitt Street, Sydney.
This location is easy to get to – just a 2-minute walk from Circular Quay’s light rail stop, train station, bus stops and ferry wharves, and only 5–20 minutes on foot from most central Sydney hotels. It also allows us to leave the city quickly in the morning and return smoothly at the end of the day.
For private charters, we provide pick-up from one agreed location.
What if it rains?
Unsurprisingly, the Australian wildlife we hope to see in the wild will still be out and about when it’s raining. So we head out in the rain too. We recommend you bring a rain coat and/or umbrella if it’s forecast to rain. We also carry umbrellas in the vehicle.
If we cancel because an official Severe Weather Warning is issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for the day of your tour, which fortunately is quite rare, we will give you the opportunity to join us on another date or provide you with a full refund.
I want to do the tour with just my partner/family/group of friends. Is a private option available?
Yes, we can run the tour as a private departure for one to eight travellers.
To book, select the Private Tour tab above the booking calendar. You’ll also have the option to choose an alternate group pick-up location.
NB. A private departure has the same itinerary as the shared tour. If you prefer the flexibility of a custom tour, contact us to discuss your requirements.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Our tour is a full 10-hour adventure, returning to Sydney in the late evening. For shared tours, we welcome guests aged 12 and over.
On private tours, families often bring children as young as 7, who love the thrill of spotting wildlife in the wild. We don’t recommend the tour for younger children, as the day can feel a little too long for them.
What is the cancellation policy for shared tours?
For shared tours, changes to the date or cancellations made more than 48 hours before departure may incur a fee to cover non-recoverable costs.
Cancellations within 48 hours of departure, or “no shows,” are not eligible for a refund.
What is the cancellation policy for private tours?
For private tours:
- More than 30 days before the tour: No cancellation fee (non-recoverable costs may apply).
- 30 to 14 days before the tour: A 10% cancellation fee applies.
- 14 days to 48 hours before the tour: 50% refund available (less any non-recoverable costs).
- Within 48 hours or “No Show”: No refund is provided.