School Holidays
Cleland Wildlife Park
Come and have some fun in our school holiday programs that accommodate and engage your nature and animal curious children.
Bush Play
Due to popular demand – “Bush Play” is our school holiday version of our fun and interactive preschool program “Bush Buddies”. This is a great way to encourage young children to interact and connect with Australian animals and nature, in an engaging learning outdoor environment.
For: 2-4 year olds (and their parents)
Available: Tuesdays & Thursdays in the school holidays
Time: 10am
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: $12
Capacity: 12 children per session
Hot weather policy:
Bush Play will still commence in the hot weather, however will be adapted to accommodate the heat. If the temperature is over 36 degrees, the session will be indoors.
On days of catastrophic fire danger all sessions will be cancelled and park will be closed.
Rainy weather policy:
Bush Play will still commence on rainy days, sessions will be held indoors. If sessions are cancelled due to extreme weather or COVID-19, you will be notified by the Children’s Engagement Officer via our online booking system.
Storytime on the Lawn
Listening to stories can be a valuable experience, sparking imagination and curiosity in children. “Storytime on the Lawn” is a free activity and is the perfect place to sit down on the café lawn with your lunch or snack, and dive into the wonderful world of animals.
For: All ages
Available: Mondays & Wednesdays in warmer seasons of the school holidays (if it is raining the session will not go ahead).
Location: Café lawn (look for the animal mats)
Time: 12:30pm
Duration: 15 minutes
Cost: Free
This is a free activity! All you need to do is turn up to the café lawn, sit on the mats and wait for our energetic story reader to arrive.
Self-Guided Trail
Each school holidays there is a self-guided trail available, that is designed for children, allowing them to explore nature and animals of Cleland Wildlife Park, while learning all about the importance if plants and animals we share our world with. Each school holidays there are new fun themes, so watch this space for updates.
Children's University: 2-hour stamps for children’s university passport once completed.
Bush Kids
“Bush Kids” is our fun school holiday program for 5-7 year olds. Full of exciting activities, park exploration and nature play opportunities with our super fun and experienced kids guide.
For: 5-7 year olds
Available: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 10am – 12pm
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: $31.50 (does not include park entry)
Capacity: 8 children per session
If you are interested in animals and nature and like being outside then this program is for you!
Children's University: 2-hour stamps for children’s university passport once completed.
Bush Mates
Bush Mates is currently being redeveloped to be more interactive and fun for this age group. It will be unavailable in the Autumn school holidays 2025 and will be re-introduced in the Winter 2025 school holidays. We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we do still have our super fun self-guided trails in the school holidays which are interactive and fun to do with the family. You might learn something new and notice something different in the park.
Junior Wildlife Keeper
“Junior Wildlife Keeper” is our exclusive NEW school holiday program for those avid animal lovers. For 7-12 year olds only, you morning will include learning about animal care, and exploring the many activities a Wildlife Keeper might carry out. Participants will help to prepare enrichments for our animals to enjoy, clean animal exhibits, and may also offer them their breakfast.
Available: Fridays
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: $105 (does not include park entry)
Capacity: 5 participants per session
**When booking you will have the opportunity to purchase you’re very own Junior Wildlife Keeper cap.
If you are interested in animals and nature and are not afraid to get your hands a little dirty, this this program is for you! Come and spend the morning at Cleland Wildlife Park with like-minded animal lovers.
Children's University: 3-hour stamps for children’s university passport once completed.