Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm — Attraction in Henley Brook

Swan Valley Cuddly animal farm is a very nice idea, BUT the place itself needs a lot of work. I believe that the entrance fee of $22 a head for adults is very steep as parents and grandparents normally want to just take the animals to the farm as a family so that the kids can see the the farm animals, but it's a day out for them and If you got more value for money for the adults , then the $22 would probably be worth it.

So, as you walk in, you have the restaurant which has got quite a good choice of foods and drink and very nice, helpful staff. The prices are not too bad either but when you walk into the sitting area outside, especially on a busy day, it could do with a good clean. We had to ask them to clean a dirty table and there was food all over the floor.

Onto the farm itself. Although the big pastures are great for the goats and the sheep and the horse, unfortunately too many people are allowed in at the time. I think it's a little bit overwhelming for the animals so possibly limit the number of people who go through the gates and into the pastures. Surely too, there should be someone supervising each pasture to stop the kids trying to jump on and ride the animals (much to some stupid parents amusement).

The train/tractor was a bit boring. Just five minutes around for tiny kids which was okay but unfortunately the carousel was not working on the day went which was a Sunday so it was very busy.

Bottle feeding time would have been more fun had the girl arrived on time, but everybody sat around for between 10 and 15 minutes waiting for her as she was chasing an 'unruly' calf (who actually was just lying on the grass) and the kids eventually got quite bored and most wandered off.

Next, we go onto the nursery where the rabbits and Guinea pigs are packed, far too many in a cage and signs saying only one family at a time is allowed in, but there was hardly room for just 1 child. However, some of the children were unruly, kicking cages and picking up the animals even though there were signs saying not to, and also going through into the 'no entry' areas. One very large lady sat inside one of the cages and nearly squashed two rabbits! As you go into the nursery there is a large trough with taps asking you to wash your hands on your way in and out - this was almost completely ignored!

There was absolutely no supervision at over the entire farm as far as we could see. Only had 2 or 3 young girls working there and there was no supervision as to who did what, how and where were the animals picked them up, chased etc., This matter has to be...

Pros: Diverse range of animals and there was a cute tractor train, playground and merry-go-round. The food in the cafe was good, as well.

Cons: I was left remarkably disturbed after my visit. My main issue was the marked lack of supervision over animal enclosures. There were a number of animals appearing unwell/highly stressed, and there were no staff around the enclosures to enforce/encourage respectful treatment of the animals. I understand that parents are advised upon entry that they are responsible for the supervision of their children, however I think this gives far too much credit to many adults (having a child doesn't make you a responsible or ethical person, unfortunately). Many parents were watching and doing nothing as their children screamed and chased visibly stressed animals around small enclosures with nowhere to hide. In one instance I had to step in and sternly tell a grown man that he needed to stop smacking/hitting and picking up the piglets. His excuse for the behaviour was that he had dropped his sunscreen in the pen and needed to get it. This could have been done safely by a staff member if there were one nearby. Based on previous replies to reviews I can see this has been an ongoing issue for years, and the accusatory/highly defensive replies to negative reviews without any action towards rectifying the issue further cements my concerns regarding this place. I can respect that potentially a number of the animals may have been recently rescued and are being treated for acquired illnesses, which could be why so many appeared unwell (many animals showed signs of respiratory infections such as eye discharge and snotty noses, and a few animals appeared to be hyperventilating/stressed/disturbingly lethargic), however I believe these animals should be provided the respect of recovery in peace away from handling/being chased/children's screaming/constant stimulation. At the very least there should be some level of supervision and control of guests. I will not be returning and will be advising friends and family to support more ethically run...

Recently visited here with a friend, we both study and work in the animal industry for years, and found our experience here quite sad. Although the grounds are maintained well, I don’t feel the same about the animals. The sheep and goats they use for bottle feeding seem well over a couple months old (the normal age they should be weaned off milk is 8-14weeks) and some are receiving three bottles a day here. This can cause digestive and even behavioural issues, seems they are just doing it for the money benefit and not for the animals benefit! Even noticed quite a few animals in small pens looking sad especially the little donkey. Many of the goats seemed to have injuries and limps, can see the pink cetrigen spray on many of the animals (at least they are giving them medical treatment). Noticed a younger staff member went to bottle feed the lambs and she held it up in the air with one arm and fed it with the other, this is such bad positioning for the lamb and could even lead to aspiration. And the poor Guinea pigs and rabbits, they look absolutely traumatised with all the excessive handling from kids and families, I understand its important for parents to teach their kids to handle animals carefully but that’s not always going to happen, again it feels like another situation where they prioritise money making over animals well being. The feed buckets were also filled with veggies like carrots which if they had done their research they would know are actually bad for rabbits and Guinea pigs in large amounts and should only be given as a treat once a week. Overall this place just feels like they care about making money and not the animals wellbeing, if they made it less traumatic for the animals and cared for their health more it would be a...