Animals Encounters

Discover the native animals who call Jirrahlinga home – from koalas, kangaroos and dingoes to reptiles, birds, echidnas and more – as you wander past their enclosures and watch them up close. Across the day, our Rangers host interactive wildlife presentations that bring these animals even closer, sharing their stories, care and conservation. All presentations are included with your entry and require no booking, so you’re free to simply arrive, explore at your own pace, and enjoy unforgettable Australian wildlife encounters.

Koala Encounters

Get up close and personal with our gentle koalas in a safe, supervised environment.

  • 20 min duration
  • Daily
  • Today's times:
    12 noon

Dingo Experience

Meet our rescued dingoes and learn about these magnificent apex predators.

  • 20 min duration
  • Daily
  • Today's times:
    2 PM

Reptile Discovery

Explore the fascinating world of Australian reptiles with our expert handlers.

  • 20 min duration
  • Daily
  • Temperature permitting (18+ degrees)
  • Today's times:
    11 AM

Wombat Adventure

Meet our remarkable wombats and uncover their surprising secrets.

  • 20 min duration
  • Daily
  • Today's times:
    1 PM

All presentations run daily (weather permitting)
and are included with your entry fee.

Book Your Visit

Support an animal’s care for a full year…

Make a difference and sponsor one of our native animals
Your annual contribution of $200 is a gift that genuinely makes a difference.

Sponsor an Animal Today

What visitors are saying about our encounters…

"Kids and adults got to touch (in most cases) and learn about lizards, a boa, wombat, emu, koalas, dingoes and other native animals..."
Cathxyz
Tripadvisor review, 2025
"...a wonderful experience as the staff were very welcoming and informative about the wildlife. My wife is blind and they went to great trouble to allow her to touch some of the animals and learn about them. It comes through in so many ways how much they love the animals in their care."
John
Tripadvisor review, August 2025
"...the kids loved it and the staff went out of their way to make it a great time for all. They got to pat dingoes and wombats and hang out with the emus and reptiles."
Amanda
Tripadvisor review, August 2025
"...the information and close viewing session with the reptiles and the koala was a real hit and I certainly learnt new facts!"
Jan
Tripadvisor review, November 2025

Special Event

50th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner

A Wild Night for a Wild Cause!

Hidden in the Chewton bush is a special place where kangaroos recuperate, wombats get a second chance, and an eagle too injured to fly can still believe he rules the sky.

 

Not everyone knows it’s there, but for 50 years this little sanctuary – powered by heart, not hype – has quietly been working miracles.

 

Now it’s your turn to be part of the story. 

  • Sat, 11 Oct, 6:15pm - 11pm
  • Castlemaine Town Hall Castlemaine VIC, Australia
Book Tickets

Join us for Jirrahlinga’s 50th Anniversary Fundraiser Dinner at the Castlemaine Town Hall. Expect a night that’s lively, generous, and just a little wild! There’s a hearty two-course dinner, trivia to test your knowledge, raffles and auctions loaded with surprises, and prizes for the best animal-themed outfits – subtle or outrageous!

 

Every ticket sold keeps koalas fed, dingoes safe, and emus cared for. 

 

So round up your wildest friends, grab a table, and book now – because seats are limited and Castlemaine won’t see another night quite like this! 

The wildlife won’t be there. They’re hopeless at trivia but thanks to you, they’ll come out winners too!

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