Le Parc australien

Le Parc Australien is a themed wildlife park in Palaja, just a few minutes' drive from the medieval Cité de Carcassonne. Its open-air, naturalistic enclosures are home to animals associated with Australia — red kangaroos, wallabies, dromedaries and ostriches. The park grew out of a local initiative to build an educational bridge between France and Australia, and has since become a family attraction that pairs close encounters with animals with elements of Aboriginal culture.

How do you get there?

The park sits in the commune of Palaja, in the Aude department, literally minutes by car from the Cité de Carcassonne, the UNESCO-listed fortified city. Its position between Toulouse and Montpellier makes it easy to combine with a longer stay in the Languedoc region. The most practical way to arrive is by car, with parking available on site for visitors.

What will you see?

A visit starts with a free guided tour included in the admission price — an unusual perk, since most wildlife parks charge extra for this. The guide leads visitors through the enclosures, and in several spots guests can step directly inside where the animals live. A standout feature is the large walk-in aviary, where visitors enter to hand-feed the budgerigars flying freely inside.

Beyond watching the kangaroos, wallabies, dromedaries and ostriches, the park runs workshops introducing Aboriginal culture — visitors can try playing the didgeridoo, throwing a boomerang, or using a rhombus (bullroarer), a traditional Aboriginal sound instrument. For a shot of adrenaline there's a zip-line, and for those chasing buried treasure, a gold-panning activity.

On selected days the park runs special "caretaker for a day" sessions, where participants learn what it's like to look after the animals full-time — feeding, grooming and caring for them under staff supervision. It's a good opportunity for children to see up close what daily care of exotic animals actually involves.

When should you visit?

The park operates seasonally, and its schedule — opening hours, workshops, activities — shifts throughout the year, so it's worth checking current times before visiting. Given that most of the experience takes place outdoors, spring and summer are the best seasons, with longer days and more active animals. Plan for at least two to three hours to see all the enclosures at a relaxed pace and take part in the activities on offer.

Frequently asked questions

Is the guided tour included in the ticket price? Yes, the guided tour is included in admission and gives access to parts of the enclosures as well as the interior of the large budgerigar aviary.

What animals can you see at the park? The main residents are red kangaroos, wallabies, dromedaries and ostriches — species associated with Australian wildlife, kept in open-air enclosures.

Is the park suitable for children? Yes, the experience is designed with families in mind — children can feed the animals, join Aboriginal culture activities, and try their hand at gold panning.

How far is the park from the Cité de Carcassonne? Very close — it's only a few minutes away by car, making it easy to combine a visit to the fortified city with a stop at the park on the same day.