Paige's Prattle: G’day Mate!

Today we took a “field trip” up north to Arlington, WA. It’s a little over an hour from Redmond, so it’s not too far away. I’ve wanted to take the kids (okay, I’ll confess I wanted to take ME!) to the Outback Kangaroo Farm for a couple of years now. It’s never worked into the summer schedule between camp, vacation, tutoring, childcare, etc; but this year I decided I was setting a date and going.

Cue the onset of children getting sick. Oh well, I guess I get to go by myself – If I’m going to drive all the way up there; I’ll just take a “quick” detour to the outlet malls in Marysville and maybe the Tulalip Casino before I come home. It’s a good thing the kids got better and came with me or I might not be back yet!

And yes, the weather has been gorgeous ALL WEEK LONG and today I wake up to overcast, cold and drizzle. Sigh. Fortunately, the weather broke as we hit Marysville and the sun came out!

You have to be careful you don’t miss the sign off Hwy. 9 – it’s really not very visible. Not much parking (I recommend you back into the space as there is one entrance and one exit). Tours are four times a day and they keep them on time. The tours are about an hour long and you get to pet and feed a variety of animals as well as learn lots about them. We saw Chickens/Roosters, rabbits, wallabies, kangaroos, llama, alpaca, ostrich, emus, lemurs, tortoises, Peacocks/hens, miniature pony, goats and donkeys.

Co-Owner Joey gave us the tour around the farm and had plenty of food on hand for the kids and adults to feed the animals. I asked her how she got started and she said, as a child, people always commented on her name “Just like the baby Kangaroo!” Fast-forward a few decades and she wanted to adopt an ostrich. While taking a class on adoption, she sat next to a woman with a baby kangaroo in her lap – the baby was for sale. She bought a couple of kangaroos and people started hearing about her pets, knocking on her door and asking if they could see them. And, that began her pet/hobby/farm life with kangaroos.

TIPS:

It’s best to call ahead and let them know you’re coming. They have four tours a day and hold the size to about 20 people. There are no “reservations” – although you can reserve a private tour at an increased cost.

Show up at least 10 minutes before the tour starts to allow for parking and getting settled. Tours start ON TIME and they don’t let you catch up (*although we were late and they were gracious to allow us to join in).

CASH OR CHECKS ONLY. Don’t be a city girl like me and miss that part of the website. IF you do, there is a gas station about a mile up the road (away from Arlington proper) that has a cash machine. There is also a grocery store and other ATM machines about 2 miles before you get to the farm.

There is a gift shop, but again cash or check only. Peacock feathers, stuffed outback animals, postcards and other souvenir type items are available as well as candy bars and sodas.

Bring snacks and a lunch (although don’t bring them to the animals). There are several picnic tables outside under trees where you can eat before or after your tour.

Bring a camera and take lots of photos. LOTS!

The toddlers in my group (2 and 4) didn’t get as much out of it as the older kids, but it was definitely a fun trip.

I will definitely do this trip again; probably without the time limit we had of rushing back home for son’s football work-outs. The staff is friendly and the yards are well-maintained – yes, there’s poop and rugged wood and old farm houses and implements, but there were people cleaning up as we toured and we were instructed to make sure to use hand sanitizer (provided in the gift shop) if we touched ANYTHING.

We spent $50 for entrance for an hour tour and another $50 on souvenirs (you could skip that part and just keep the photos). Two adults and four children under 12. There is a senior rate too.

Photos (sorry the formatting is wonky)