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Helensburgh
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Symbio Wildlife Park
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Symbio Wildlife Park

See all things to do
See all things to do
Symbio Wildlife Park
4.5
#1 of 8 things to do in Helensburgh
Zoos
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Symbio is Wollongong's own award winning, family owned zoo, set in 16 acres of bush parkland - famous for providing genuine hands-on encounters with the most fascinating creatures from Australia and around the world.At Symbio ...We'll get you closer!
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Top ways to experience Symbio Wildlife Park and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 3 miles
Binners Food Van
10
0.4 mi$ • Fast Food • Barbecue • Diner
Lime Leaf Cafe
11
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Australian
Tumbling Waters Retreat
47
1.1 mi$$$$ • Seafood • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
Red Nectar
111
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Gallardo's Pizzeria
64
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Oat & Honey
8
1.1 mi
Phu Thai Takeaway
12
1.2 miAsian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Raya Thai
33
1.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Indonesian
Helensburgh Charcoal Chickens
3
1.2 mi$ • Fast Food
The Cupbearer
3
1.2 mi$ • Cafe
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Attractions
20 within 6 miles
Sri Venkateswara Temple, Helensburgh, Sydney(SVT Sydney)
73
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Bald Hill Lookout & Hang Gliding Spot
170
1.1 miLookouts
Grand Pacific Drive - Sydney to Wollongong and Beyond
656
1.8 miLookouts • Scenic Drives
Appleshack at Glenbernie Orchard
161
Farms
Sea Cliff Bridge
230
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
Bald Hill Lookout
20
1.1 miLookouts
Stanwell Park Beach
22
2.1 miBeaches
Articles Fine Arts Gallery
5
1.6 miArt Galleries • Art Museums
Lawrence Hargrave
2
1.7 miMonuments & Statues
Otford lookout
21
2.2 miLookouts
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
486 reviews
Excellent
287
Very good
142
Average
37
Poor
10
Terrible
10
Natalie K
Wollongong, Australia5 contributions
Disappointing
Jun 2021 • Family
We met family at the park, both of us having to drive an hour and half or more with young children. We arrived to find a line up of over 80 people just to get in. The line was hardly moving. There were so many people leaving the line or turning around with upset children due to this. I understand this can be out of the control the park have. We have recently visited various zoos and parks with all of them having a prebook only option to limit the number of people entering the park. They also ensure you choose an arrival time to limit the amount of people gathering etc. We decided to not line up due to the long wait with young children. It was disappointing to see many people leaving with upset children.
We are yet to visit the park so cannot comment on that but I think next time we will be trying to find a more suitable day and time with young children.

I understand people may not see this being an issue but we did try to avoid this. Of course we expected to not get straight in. Disappointing to have to travel up to Helensburgh to only leave again.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dominique S
Sydney, Australia20 contributions
Great zoo but don't have a party here!
Feb 2021
We had organised a 5th birthday party here and i realised the day prior to the party the kids package includes 1 adult only (not 1 adult per child). I only realised this when i was on the phone to the park and i had already invited the adults. On party day, we barely saw any staff, just at food and cake drop off. Again at the end, i explained i had made an error with the adults, that i would not have had a party here if one adult only was included as there was no way i could have managed 15 kids at a 5 year old party by myself and asked if the adults price could be discounted in anyway. Nope, nothing, nada.... so they made $910 (an extra $360) from me on a pouring down rainy day and we left with a bitter taste in our mouths especially as the staff were so absent and non customer focused, a bunch of teenagers and a greedy manager, the exception being the animal encounter staff who were great. Save yourself some money, invite some friends and bring food in and have a lovely time!
Written February 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
Brisbane, Australia34 contributions
Costly and poor customer service
Feb 2021
We visited with two grandchildren. The animal displays are fair and interesting. Most people seemed to be visiting with younger children. The most popular attractions were the playground with swings and slides etc and the Splash Park water feature. Relatively costly compared to other wildlife parks such as Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane.

Very slow handling patrons at the entrance and incredibly slow at the food outlet. It took 50 minutes to queue and purchase a few sausage rolls and bottles of juice. In that time very young children get restless. These extreme delays were hard to comprehend. The young staff seemed to lack experience and/or maybe real motivation. There were not enough staff rostered on, on a Sunday with good weather.

Rating averaged. 3 for wildlife but 1 for customer service and value.
Written February 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erika B
2 contributions
Feed the kangaroos
Mar 2022
Our family loves Symbio, I used to come here as a kid and coming back as a parent it holds a dear place in my heart. It's smaller than many other zoo's in Sydney with not as many animals but I find it so much more relaxing and less crowded than the larger zoo's. The grounds and surrounding attractions nearby make it such a nice day trip. We love coming here to feed the kangaroos, the enclosure is large enough for our kids to run around with the kangaroos.
Written May 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lyn S
Sydney, Australia6 contributions
Great way to spend the day!
Apr 2022 • Family
We love it. This would be the fourth time I’ve taken my grandson over the years, he is now 7. We spend hours at Symbio and since they have included a playground and water park I consider it an all round great day out. There really are a lot of animals to see, even though it is only classed as a smallish wildlife park. It is always extremely clean and the animal enclosures are great and well looked after. New amenities are also a great addition. There is something else being built at the moment near the shop, I’m hoping for this to be a sit down cafe, I feel it’s the only thing lacking although there is a shop already there and the nuggets and chips were fresh and hot. I believe it’s well worth a visit. Personally can’t fault it.
Written April 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaya P
Sydney, Australia30 contributions
Great!
Jun 2021
We visited symbio today as it has been a while since we have been up close and personal with some Australian wildlife. we really enjoyed seeing all the Australian birds, reptiles and animals such as the dingo, echidna and wombat, but the highlights include feeding the cute wallabies and kangaroos. one of the them was holding my hand while feeding which was so adorable. Another highlight was seeing of my favourite animals the meerkat.

The park is very well maintained and clean, will recommend this place for families with children to interact with wildlife and for tourists who want to be closer to wildlife.
Written June 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary L
Drummoyne, Australia1 contribution
Cafe Not Good
Jan 2022 • Family
The park and water play were both good, but the cafe was very disappointing. Very limited options. We ordered a chicken schnitzel sandwich and a wrap. The bread was stale and unbuttered and the quality of the crumbed chicken was the cheapest of the cheap and inedible. Wouldn’t give it to our dog. Would suggest you look into buying sandwiches from 7Eleven or changing up the catering to better food.
Written January 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holzbiz
Helensburgh, Australia73 contributions
5 stars for this wildlife park
Nov 2022 • Family
This wildlife park is fantastic. Well priced, the animals look happy and healthy, the grounds are very well maintained and always under going improvements/expanding. The staff are lovely. The splash park is incredible in warmer months and the park is a bonus too. We have a annual pass and visit regularly, sometimes just for the splash park on a hot afternoon. Definitely recommend symbio!!
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanke B
3 contributions
Family day out
Nov 2023 • Family
Had a great day at Symbio in the beautiful coastal city of Wollongong on the south coast of nsw the kids loved it you really can get up close and personal with the animals koalas and kangaroos hreat reptile display really friendly staff and very kid friendly. Worth the drive to Wollongong. Great location and great day our with the kids
Written November 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Della C
Borehamwood, UK309 contributions
Lovely sized wildlife centre
Dec 2019
First of the three wildlife centres we visited, and this is small but perfectly formed. It is large enough to wow, and small enough to get around comfortably in a few hours. There is also a water splash park for the kids (and adults it seems!) on hot days. Surprised to see a cheetah too as we thought it was only indigenous animals here. Ford was fresh, good and reasonably priced as well.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Symbio Wildlife Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Symbio Wildlife Park Information

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