Potoroo Palace — Attraction in Yellow Pinch

This place could be so good, and apparently was in the past. We took too kids there - $80 for family admission. They did take NSW vouchers.

The park seemed very run down. There was often just one bird in a display enclosure. Sometimes there enclosures were empty. This was actually empty, not just an animal out of sight etc. The reptile room had empty displays cases apart from one snake. Where was the children’s python for example?apparently it had died and hadn’t been replaced.

We saw one potaroo and one echidna in their respective enclosures. A highlight was that there was a koala in the koala enclosure and it was awake!

There were numerous large kangaroos lying around the park not in enclosures and the kids were unsure about what to expect - would they jump out at them? Could they pat them? There was no guidance or signs.

There were also two emus wandering around the park. I’d had previously negative experiences with emus attacking me in a picnic area. I had no idea whether the kids were safe near them or what to do if they charged us.

We did eventually encounter two park workers/zoo-keepers and they were lovely but clearly very stretched. They let the kids stroke a skink which was cool.

The train ride was not running which was disappointing and if it was running it would have cost more as rides are not included in admission price.

The amenities were old but clean and the place is clearly environmentally conscious as worn clean cloth hand towels were single use and placed into a hamper.

The cafe and souvenir area was open but we didn’t visit. A plus was that the staff were happy to supply us with a bottle of tap water and some glasses at no cost.

I’d honestly not bother visiting this place. It’s pretty sad and run down, which is a shame. Hopefully post Covid-19 they’ll be able to pull it...

A worthy local business - as well as being a centre for re-homing animals and a place to volunteer. We, as a family of 4 decided to head on in whilst staying in Merimbula on holiday. At the time we had a 12 month old and a nine year old, and both of them had great fun exploring and getting to interact with some of the animals. On our visit it was just our family walking around which we loved. You can feed and pat kangaroos, emus, ducks and geese... Enough to keep young ones (perhaps aged 10 and under) occupied for a good hour or two, maybe even longer. With that said, we found BBQ facilities within the sanctuary but did not enquire, as well as a few outdoor games like ring-toss and giant checkers to stay occupied. Not all enclosures feature animals every day of the year, you need to factor in maintenance, sick animals and other reasons so hence some enclosures are empty. There quite a few birds, some that talk, some that will land on you and some that may bite so beware either way. There's a small gift shop and cafe, however the cafe wasn't open on our visit - no trouble to us. It seemed small to us at first but you realise it's a bit bigger than you think once you start wandering around. This is definately not a "Taronga Zoo", it's a smaller scale animal sanctuary that will give you, and or, the kids something to do for a little while. On our visit, we were able to chat with a gentleman about the dingoes that he had recently donated to the sanctuary - lovely guy and very informative, so you never know what you might get. Overall, our family had a nice time. Wheelchair and pram friendly to a degree. Due to the natural environment there's quite a few bumps and rocks etc. to navigate but it can be done. We came, we...

Potoro Palace – A Heartwarming Haven for Native Wildlife

Potoro Palace is a truly special place — more than just a wildlife park, it’s a not-for-profit sanctuary where you can genuinely feel the love and care poured into protecting Australia’s native animals.

From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by open spaces where emus and kangaroos roamed freely. It was magical to walk among them, hand-feeding kangaroos and watching emus wander calmly nearby. There’s something so peaceful and grounding about being this close to animals in a space where they are clearly happy and well looked after.

What makes Potoro Palace even more beautiful is its mission — your entry fee goes directly into the care and upkeep of the sanctuary and its residents. It’s not about commercial profit here; it’s about passion, education, and conservation. The staff were kind, knowledgeable, and clearly devoted to the animals’ wellbeing.

This is the kind of experience that stays with you. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Potoro Palace is well worth the visit. It’s a place where you can connect with nature, support a great cause, and leave with...