Kangaroos & Spa Day in the Okanagan Valley

Remember seeing kangaroos in Australia? Well… you don’t actually have to go that far. There’s a little pocket of Vernon, BC, where kangaroos hop around too!

Kangaroo Creek Farm — Australia Meets British Columbia

We drove from Kelowna to Kangaroo Creek Farm, located just outside Vernon, and it instantly felt like a cheerful mini-version of an Australian wildlife park and right in the heart of the Okanagan.

The farm is open from March to September (closed October–February), and hours are limited from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so planning ahead is key. Prices vary between low and high season ($20–$30 per adult). I wasn’t expecting that price point, but after our visit, it was absolutely worth it. We had such a wonderful time!

The tall, muscular male kangaroo behind the fence can become feisty and is best avoided in a boxing fight.

You can wander freely among the animals, approach them, pet them, and even feed them treats provided by the knowledgeable staff. The farm has four species of macropods: the large Red Kangaroo, the smaller Dama Wallaby, as well as Common Wallaroos and Bennett Wallabies.

It’s a gentle, immersive experience where you can truly connect with these unique creatures.

You’ll find much more than just kangaroos here. The farm is home to all kinds of fascinating animals, some I’d never expected to meet up close in Canada.

Did you know?

The African Crested Porcupine has long, sharp, keratin-based quills that can reach up to 35 cm! Despite popular belief, they don’t shoot them out. Instead, they raise their quills to look larger, shake hollow tail quills to create a rattling warning sound, and may ram predators if threatened. When embedded, those quills can cause serious injury, but thankfully, this one was very calm, and we even got to pet it!

The Sugar Glider Scare

In Australia, we’d seen sugar gliders from afar but here, we actually got to hold one! These adorable Australian possums love sugary foods like sap and nectar and can glide through the air like tiny flying squirrels.

Our guide gently handed one to my friend… and suddenly, it leapt onto Simon’s shirt, climbing toward his shoulder and beard! I froze, it was both hilarious and terrifying. My heart was pounding as we left the birds, parrots, and sugar glider section. I needed a long, comforting hug after that one.

Meeting the Capybara

Then came the capybaras, the world’s largest rodents and surprisingly chill creatures. I hesitated before touching one, but curiosity won. Their fur felt coarse, almost like a stiff broom! These gentle giants love lounging in the sun and soaking in their pool, true zen masters of the animal kingdom.

A Relaxing Finish at Sparkling Hill Resort

After our fun (and slightly heart-racing) animal encounters, we headed to Sparkling Hill Resort, BC’s luxury adult-only wellness retreat overlooking the Okanagan Valley.

It’s not your typical Quebec-style spa, it feels more European, with elegant architecture, huge glass windows, and incredible views. Most amenities are indoors, but there’s also a beautiful outdoor pool where you can soak in the mountain scenery.

One of our favourite discoveries was the Kneipp Walk — alternating pools of hot and cold water with smooth stones on the bottom. It gives your feet a gentle micro-massage as you walk.

Did you know? To really feel the benefits, you’re supposed to do the Kneipp Walk three to four times a day! It boosts circulation, strengthens your immune system, and refreshes your body and mind. You may look funny doing it, but once you try, you want to keep going!

It was the perfect way to end our BC adventure. It was a mix of fun, laughter, learning, and pure relaxation before saying goodbye to our friends.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a road trip around Kelowna or Vernon, make time for both the Kangaroo Creek Farm and Sparkling Hill Resort. One gives you close-up moments with the cutest (and sometimes surprising!) animals, and the other offers the ultimate wind-down experience.

British Columbia never stops surprising us from epic alpine hikes to unexpected wildlife encounters and now… kangaroos in Canada.

Would you rather:

👉 hike all day for a glacier swim

👉 meet kangaroos in Canada