Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a six-acre Australian wildlife park in Knockrow, set among mature eucalyptus trees in the hinterland above Byron Bay. It is a short drive from Byron Bay and Ballina, and offers a nature-focused day out with wildlife, education and family activities in a leafy setting. The sanctuary is home to koalas, kangaroos, emus, reptiles, birds of prey and farmyard animals, with daily keeper talks and presentations including Free Flight Birds.

Visitors can choose from a range of hands-on wildlife experiences, including koala, owl, reptile, possum, black cockatoo and tawny frogmouth encounters. The VIP experience adds a guided tour with access to keeper-only areas and one-on-one meetings with native animals. The sanctuary also offers animal feeding opportunities, with feed available for kangaroos and farmyard animals. Experiences and encounters may require advance booking, particularly on weekends and during school holidays.

There is plenty to do beyond the animal presentations. The site includes an 18-hole mini golf course, water splash park, children’s play area, pond, amphitheatre and farmyard, as well as facilities for barbecues and private events. Gather at the Sanctuary Café serves locally sourced breakfast, lunch and coffee, and can be visited without a park ticket. The former Macadamia Castle site also retains a Hot Nut Bar and a retail shop featuring locally produced and sustainable gifts, along with a wider fine-foods department. The website notes that pancakes remain one of the café’s familiar offerings from the Macadamia Castle days.

The sanctuary took over the Macadamia Castle property in 2021 and now operates as a registered Australian charity focused on wildlife conservation, rehabilitation and education. It runs school excursions, homeschool sessions, community and corporate programs, plus school-holiday activities for children aged five to 18, including Puggles Kids Club, Wildlife Guardians and Keeper for a Day. Birthday parties, conferences and private functions are also catered for. With its combination of animal encounters, play spaces, talks and conservation learning, it suits families looking for a full day out, school and community groups, and solo visitors who want to spend time learning about Australian wildlife. Every dollar spent at the sanctuary is reinvested into its conservation and education work.