Kyabram Fauna Park was founded as a non-profit in 1976 with a few kangaroos and emus; it now serves as a sanctuary for over 400 species of animals available for viewing and interaction. Kyabram Fauna Park is close to central Kyabram and an easy 35-minute drive from Echuca or Shepparton.

Victoria’s Fourth Zoo

In March 2022, Kyabram Fauna Park announced it had received accreditation from the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia. Then, in July 2022, the Victorian state government announced Zoos Victoria would take over the management of the fauna park, making it Victoria’s fourth zoo. At 55 hectares, it’s twice as large as Melbourne Zoo and a third larger than Healesville Sanctuary. However, Healesville is better laid out, with much more to see. With regards to size, all of them are still pale in size compared to Werribee Zoo, which boasts 225 hectares (though not all the space is open to the public).

In July, the first sorely needed upgrades in twenty years were completed at Kyabram with a new entry and ticketing area. The new entry includes an upgraded gift shop, toilets, and a cafe with a glass wall overlooking the fauna park’s new meerkat enclosure. The five meerkats, two males and three females, arrived from Taronga Zoo, NSW.

New Reptile House

With funding from the Victorian Government and additional benefactors, a newly constructed reptile house opened. Reptiles on display include pythons, various snakes and frogs. Lizard varieties include frill-neck lizards and forest dragons. The reptile house isn’t overly large. However, the enclosures for each reptile are lush and attractive.

Walk Through Aviary

Kyabram Fauna Park has two walk-through aviaries, one smaller containing king parrots and a second larger one containing bush stone curlews, satin bower birds and banded lapwing, finches, various parrots, doves, pigeon species and budgerigars. Both are good, but my favourite was the larger one with the more extensive variety of birds. It’s a great way to practice bird photography up close without shooting through the wire.

Animals

The other animals in the park include alpine dingoes, flying foxes, echidnas, Tasmanian frogmouths, boobook owls and assorted cockatoos.

Conservation and Improvement Programs

The park has been involved in conservation programs in the area since 1979. Their efforts include planting more than 7000 native trees and plants in the area to encourage wildlife to return. This initiative also saw 35 species of native birds return. The new reptile house is a significant drawcard. However, while enclosures for the Koala, Tasmanian Devil, Echidna and shingle back lizards are up to standard, much more work remains to be done on the older, outdated enclosures.

History Cottage

The park is also home to the cottage French adventurer, navy man, and soldier Theodore Hazleman built in 1867. Before settling in the area, Hazleman sailed the seas as a cabin boy and survived the American Civil War. In Kyabram, he set up as a wheat farmer and fathered 13 children.

Visit Kyabram Fauna Park

The paths around the park are mostly gravel or dirt, so closed-toe shoes are advised.

• 75 Lake Road, Kyabram, Victoria
• Open from 10 am to 5 pm except for Christmas Day and Good Friday.
• Adults are $32, and seniors are $20. Zoo members enter for free.
• Children 4-16 yrs 12.50. Children under 4 are free (from October, all children will be free on Weekends, public holidays and school holidays)