The 8 best ethical zoos and wildlife reserves to see animals in Australia

Known as a zoo without fences, Kangaroo Island is a wildlife and nature reserve that we reckon everyone deserves the chance to see. With thousands of diverse native species flourishing in a place that is more than one-third protected national park, you can travel independently to Kangaroo Island and be pretty much guaranteed to have an in-the-wild animal encounter. If you don't like leaving things to chance, there are plenty of wildlife tours and experiences you can book that'll make you feel like you're in a Nat Geo doco. Whether it's seeing dolphins jump in crystal waters, fur seal colonies, Australian sea lions, koalas, birds, wallabies, or (of course) the island's namesake, you can see them all, living their best (and most free) lives. Also, if you want to guarantee animal sightings, pop into the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, where conservation and rehabilitation are the major MO. 

Great for: Seeing koalas, seals, dolphins, kangaroos in the wild, exploring incredible natural environments and amazing beaches.

Best known for being the home of the legendary Steve Irwin (aka: the Crocodile Hunter), Australia Zoo is an absolutely massive wildlife park bursting with seriously unique wildlife experiences. From world-famous saltwater croc feeding, to up-close lemur experiences, Australia Zoo has it all in one place. Just 60 minutes away from Brisbane, this zoo makes conservation its main focus. Plus, if you're lucky, you may even get the chance to squiz Terri, Bob or Bindi Irwin IRL. How's that for star quality? 

Great for: Seeing huge saltwater crocodiles, native Aussie critters, colourful birds and rare animals from all over the world, as well as connecting with the iconic Irwin legacy.

We may have to argue that Taronga Zoo on Sydney's North Shore is one of the most beautiful zoos on the planet – and better yet, it's deeply committed to conservation and animal welfare. With sweeping views across Sydney Harbour, hundreds of diverse exhibits and animals from all over the world, and a seriously spectacular selection of Aussie native wildlife, Taronga Zoo should be up high on your Sydney hit list, whether you want to pat a kangaroo or see an endangered Sumatran tiger up close. Sail there on a ferry from the CBD and then hop into the sky safari for an unforgettable entrance. 

Great for: Kids, visually spectacular exhibits, special events and walking right next to native Aussie animals while you're in Sydney. 

If you're headed down south, you're probably going to want to see a Tassie Devil – a cute little carnivore with very sharp teeth. Much like a lot of Australia's native animals, the Tassie Devil faces extinction,  which is why Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is so important. This expansive outdoor sanctuary (just 30 minutes from Hobart) has been rescuing and rehabilitating native animals since 1981. Every animal that lives at Bonorong is extinct elsewhere in the world, and every dollar you spend here goes towards maintaining their animals and funding local conservation efforts. You can see fluffy rarities like quolls, wombats and pademelons, and feed roaming kangaroos by hand. Pro tip: Visit at night for a very unique experience. 

Great for: Kids, seeing endangered Tasmanian animals, feeding kangaroos, contributing to real conservation efforts and helping save very special creatures from extinction. 

If you're crazy about koalas, this is where you should go. Although admittedly not as big, showy or spectacular as other zoos on this list, the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie does some genuinely incredible work in fighting to save one of the world's most adorable animals from extinction. A licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility, this place takes in injured koalas, nurses them back to life, and then releases them back into the wild. A volunteer-run not-for-profit, the Koala Hospital is free entry, with donations and gift shop sales all directly funding their conservation efforts. Expect to meet real koalas, check out a koala museum, go on a guided tour, and head behind the scenes to see the koalas in hospital. This is about as wholesome as it gets.

Great for: Koala fanatics and those interested in very important conservation work.  

Up in Australia's Top End, there's a lot to see – but we reckon no visit is complete without meeting the incredible animals who call this part of the world home. Territory Wildlife Park in Darwin is a 400-hectare park that's home to a mix of wild and captive creatures that are only found in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Whether it's saltwater crocs, sugar gliders, huge snakes, emus, wallabies or exotic-looking birds, this wildlife park has them all in a wild, natural setting. You can walk through a monsoon rainforest, see billabongs and buffalo trails, and walk at your own leisure on well-maintained outdoor paths (there's also an option to get a tiny train). The animals are well cared for in huge exhibits that reflect their natural habitats.

Pro tip: Go for a dip at nearby Berry Springs afterwards (just remember to be croc-wise!)

Great for: Seeing native Australian animals from the Northern Territory, interactive animal experiences and spending a day out near Darwin.

Rottnest Island is a unique place, and very different to all the other inclusions on this list. The only spot in the world where you can find a quokka – a smiling, fluffy marsupial with no natural predators, Rottnest is an open-air nature reserve that also acts as a sanctuary for some very rare and special animals. With no cars on the island, you can walk or cycle around to some of the most spectacular beaches in the world and see quokkas, birds, reptiles, seals and whales all dancing without cages in their natural habitat. 

It is important to acknowledge that Rottnest (whose original name is Wadjemup) has an ancient Indigenous history and a recent tragic past that must be respected. 

Great for: Seeing quokkas, swimming at pristine beaches and sighting some of the world's most spectacular creatures in the wild. 

Just over one hour from Melbourne's CBD, Jirrahlinga is a sanctuary for Australian native wildlife as well as a zoo, so there is a hospital section for treating injured animals. At Jirrahlinga you can see lots of Australian native fauna, including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, birds, reptiles, dingoes, echidnas and more. Keepers are knowledgeable and friendly, and if you're lucky they'll let you pat a koala, hold a snake or have an up-close encounter with a lizard. Look out for the bird near the office that does a perfect imitation of the office phone ringing, followed by, "Hello, Jirrahlinga?". 

Great for: Kids, meeting threatened species and amazing interactive animal experiences.