Farmyard Friends at Oakvale Farm and Fauna World

As a girl growing up in Newcastle, I remember many a school excursion to Oakvale Farm and Fauna World. I hadn’t visited since my early teens, so I couldn’t resist calling in on my way home from Myall Lakes. I was thrilled to find out that this place is just as much fun as an adult as it was when I was small.

I don’t ordinarily take travel photos featuring myself, but to remove me wouldn’t have been telling Oakvale Farm’s full story. This isn’t the kind of wildlife park where you passively sit back and watch the animals from a distance. You’re encouraged to get up close and personal, and that’s why it’s so special. Kangaroos and farmyard creatures roam freely, and even the ones behind the fences often come close enough for a pat. They’re all too aware of the pellets hidden inside your little feed bags, and are often quite cheeky in pursuit of the treats!

Me and a kangaroo having a chat

Kangaroos are revered by our international tourists, but I think a lot of locals take them for granted. It’s a shame because they’re such sweethearts. Here I was patiently explaining that I needed to open up the bag before he could have a feed!

A new baby cow and his mother

This little baby cow was just a week old, and incredibly sweet. I made sure to give his mother an extra dose of feed and tell her what a clever girl she was. I milked her afterwards; you’d think that a nursing cow would have plenty of milk, but getting it out of those udders is harder than you’d think!

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