Updated in October 2026, this Port Stephens Animal Adventures guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Port Stephens Animal Adventures is a fully indoor wildlife attraction at Bobs Farm in Port Stephens, New South Wales. You can feed and pat sharks, rays and eels, hold reptiles and, since opening its Crocodile Encounters, swim with saltwater crocodiles. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel. As of October 2026, the centre opens 9:00 to 17:00 daily, not the 10:00 to 16:00 shown by older pages. An adult Shark, Ray and Reptile ticket costs $45.
Quick facts for Port Stephens Animal Adventures
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 686 Marsh Road, Bobs Farm, New South Wales 2316 |
| Opening hours | Daily 9:00 to 17:00. Closed Christmas Day |
| Shark, Ray and Reptile ticket (adult) | $45 |
| MEGA ticket (adult) | $70, with a free 12-month pass |
| Croc Swim ticket (adult) | $250. Bookings essential |
| Child (3 to 12) | $35 for Shark, Ray and Reptile, and $50 for MEGA |
| Setting | Fully indoors and all-weather |
| Typical visit | Two to three hours |
| Phone | 0474 733 965 |
Why book Port Stephens Animal Adventures tickets?
- 🐊 Swim with crocodiles: The Croc Swim puts you in a safe billabong with over 20 crocodiles, including the 800-kilogram Rocksteady.
- 🦈 Pat and feed sharks and rays: Touch pools hold nearly 150 sharks and rays, and some sharks reach 2.5 metres.
- 🦜 Magical macaws: The MEGA ticket includes 10 minutes with nearly 10 friendly macaws.
- 🎟️ A free 12-month pass: Every MEGA and Croc Swim ticket includes a pass to return (conditions apply).
- ☔ Fully indoors: The attraction suits wet days and hot days alike.
Ticket prices for Port Stephens Animal Adventures – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars.
| Ticket | Adult | Child (3 to 12) |
|---|---|---|
| Shark, Ray and Reptile ticket | $45 | $35 |
| MEGA ticket | $70 | $50 |
| Croc Swim ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $250 |
| Child (8 to 16) | $220 |
| Concession | $220 |
| Student (13 to 17) | $220 |
| Extra | Price |
|---|---|
| Shark, ray and turtle food (8 to 10 pieces) | $6 per serve |
| In-water experience with sharks, rays and eels | $10 per person |
| Underwater phone hire for the Croc Swim | $25 |
The Shark, Ray and Reptile ticket gives all-day entry, including the three indoor crocodile billabongs. The MEGA ticket adds crocodile photos, the macaw experience, turtle feeding and a free 12-month pass. School and public holidays carry a $10 surcharge for each pass holder. The Croc Swim ticket includes an in-tank feed with the giant grouper Bruce and five large sharks, plus a free T-shirt or stubby holder.
Croc Swim bookings are essential. Online bookings include two-for-one shark food. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel.
Opening hours for Port Stephens Animal Adventures
The centre opens every day from 9:00 to 17:00, except Christmas Day. Weekday and weekend hours are the same. The whole attraction is indoors.
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
How to get to Port Stephens Animal Adventures
The centre is at 686 Marsh Road in Bobs Farm, on the way to Nelson Bay. Turn at the Go Karts sign as you head towards Nelson Bay. By car is the easiest way to arrive. Coach parking is available.
Parking at Port Stephens Animal Adventures
Parking is available on site, and coach parking is also provided. Check with the centre if you are arriving with a large group or a bus.
How long to spend at Port Stephens Animal Adventures
Allow two to three hours for the shark and ray pools, the reptile encounter and the crocodile billabongs. The MEGA ticket adds timed experiences such as the macaws and turtle feeding. The Croc Swim adds extra time for the briefing and the water session.
Accessibility at Port Stephens Animal Adventures
The centre is wheelchair accessible, with a step-free main entrance and a wheelchair accessible toilet. Companion Card carers receive free entry, and a quiet space is available.
The centre is fully indoors, so you stay out of the weather. Note that the crocodile billabongs can be hot and humid.
What to see at Port Stephens Animal Adventures
The shark and ray pools. Nearly 150 sharks and rays swim in supervised touch pools. Some are 2.5 metres long, and others are small enough to rest in your hand.
The eels. Freshwater eels up to 1.8 metres long swim alongside colourful moray eels. Guests can pat and cuddle the freshwater eels.
Hugo’s Rescued Reptiles. Handlers introduce up to 20 snakes, lizards and turtles. You can have your photo taken with them.
The Crocodile Encounters billabongs. Three indoor billabongs hold more than 20 saltwater crocodiles. Rocksteady, at 4.8 metres and 800 kilograms, is the largest.
The Croc Swim. A safe billabong lets you swim with the crocodiles after a briefing. The ticket includes a shark and grouper feed and an in-water session.
The macaws and turtles. Nearly 10 macaws take part in the Magical Macaw Experience. The MEGA ticket also includes turtle feeding.
Practical visitor tips for Port Stephens Animal Adventures
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | Croc Swim needs a booking. Book tickets in advance to secure your session. |
| Choose the MEGA ticket if you return | It includes a free 12-month pass, with a $10 surcharge in school and public holidays. |
| Pack swimmers and a towel | The in-water experiences use warm water at about 25°C. |
| Buy food on arrival | Shark, ray and turtle food costs $6 a serve. |
| Dress for the heat | The crocodile billabongs can be hot and humid. |
Frequently asked questions about Port Stephens Animal Adventures
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Daily from 9:00 to 17:00, except Christmas Day. |
| How much does entry cost? | The Shark, Ray and Reptile ticket costs $45 for adults and $35 for children aged 3 to 12. The MEGA ticket costs $70 and $50. |
| Can I swim with crocodiles? | Yes. The Croc Swim costs $250 for adults and $220 for children aged 8 to 16. Bookings are essential. |
| Is the attraction wheelchair accessible? | Yes. It has a step-free main entrance and a wheelchair accessible toilet. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Croc Swim needs a booking, and advance booking is recommended for busy school holidays. |
Things to do near Port Stephens Animal Adventures
Worimi Conservation Lands: A huge coastal dune system known for sandboarding and 4WD tours at Stockton Bight in Port Stephens.
Fighter World: A military aviation museum at Williamtown in Port Stephens.
Go Karts Go: A go-kart track on the road to Nelson Bay at Bobs Farm.
Nelson Bay: A waterfront town with dolphin cruises on Port Stephens.
Tomaree Head: A headland summit walk with coastal views near Shoal Bay in Port Stephens.
Alternatives to Port Stephens Animal Adventures
Oakvale Wildlife Park: A wildlife park with Australian animals at Salt Ash in Port Stephens.
Australian Reptile Park: A reptile and wildlife park at Somersby on the Central Coast.
Hunter Valley Wildlife Park: A small zoo at Nulkaba in the Hunter Valley.
Blackbutt Reserve: A bushland reserve with native animals in Newcastle.
Port Stephens dolphin cruises: Boat trips from Nelson Bay to see dolphins in Port Stephens.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Bago Maze visitor guide: What to expect at Australia’s largest hedge maze.
- Mid-North Coast beach guides: Burgess Beach in Forster.
- Pet sharks and rays at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters in Port Stephens.
- Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary visitor guide: Including ticket prices, hours and what to see.
- What to expect at the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary on the Central Coast.
