Looking for a fun place to visit with the tribe that lets them get up close to the animals, gives them the opportunity to feed, ride and pet the farm animals they meet? Then you must take the tribe to Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm. Read on to find out what this tribe loved about their visit!
I’m sometimes guilty of second-child syndrome; for instance I clearly remember taking my first born to a farm when he was just months old excited, about another ‘first’ experience with him. However last week the mum-guilt crept in when I realised that I couldn’t even remember if we’d taken my youngest (now 19 months old) to a farm, so I thought I’d better organise a visit pronto!
I was delighted to hear about Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm where children can get up close and personal with most of the animals. As soon as we arrived the kids spotted the buckets full of vegetables that they could help themselves to, to feed many of the animals. Fearlessly the kids entered the rabbit enclosure where a little girl sat feeding a rabbit on her lap as if it was her pet! Whilst my two didn’t hold a rabbit, they enjoyed feeding them, unfazed as they hopped around their feet.
After cooing over the cutest little newborn piglets (kept safely in their pen with their mum) my son plucked up the courage to feed a guinea pig which sat on his knee, whilst my younger daughter beamed with delight at being able to pet the animal.
Venturing outdoors where we found a sheltered area with tables and microwaves (handy for visitors bringing their own food); a retro ice-cream van that served delicious ice-creams, hot dogs and coffees; and a fenced off play area featuring an old fashioned tractor which the kids loved climbing on. Children can also enjoy free rides on a traditional carousel, a trip around the farm on carriages pulled by a tractor, and a bouncy castle which is conveniently under cover.
In a large enclosure outdoors we walked among cheeky baby goats (aptly also known as kids!) who were partial to nibbling my shoelaces and enjoyed running around with some excitable older piglets. There was a kangaroo in the enclosure too, but he seemed less keen to be petted, keeping his distance from visitors. In other areas we also saw horses, sheep, hens, ducks, baby chicks, a tortoise and several peacocks including a beautiful white one which I’d never seen before and who displayed its impressive fan of feathers.
At intervals during our visit a member of staff (one of the few we saw – I couldn’t believe how relaxed the place was in letting visitors roam free), brought out a pony for kids to have free rides on, which my two enjoyed heaps. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no additional charge for the pony rides as there often is at such places, and also that my youngest was allowed to ride; the farm seems to have such a relaxed approach which makes it all the more enjoyable.
The farm totally lived up to my expectations. We were free to roam almost anywhere and to interact with most of the animals, and it’s a great size for young kids – not too large but plenty of space for them to run free which my two loved.
One piece of advice is to prepare for kids to get dirty! It was due to be a dry day so I decided against taking our gumboots, however there was a brief spell of rain during our visit so our footwear got rather muddied up. It was also pretty difficult to avoid stepping in the animal droppings when entering the enclosures; all adding to the rustic feel and fun of the farm!
GUEST TRIBE ~ @pommuminperth
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