Pentland

From the weird to the wonderful, the Pentland Alpaca Stud and Animal Farm lets you get up close to all sorts of animals.

Pentland is one of the largest animal parks in the state. Located 20km west of Denmark off the Scotsdale Tourist Drive, it has become a popular attraction with both adults and children.

Originally the property was used as just an alpaca stud and today there are over 70 that spend their days grazing on the property’s picturesque slopes. While the alpacas are still one of the major attractions, the addition of koalas, kangaroos, pigs, horses, dingos, a North American bison, Scottish Highland cattle, ferrets, deer and more has turned the stud into so much more.

The farm is designed to be hands-on. Visitors can walk amongst and feed alpacas, stroke koalas, cuddle joeys, be climbed over by a goat, chat to a galah, nurse rabbits and come eye to eye with the huge bison (the only one in WA). There’s even a friendly pet dingo pup named Ernee, rescued recently from the Nullarbor.

One of the most exciting things about Pentland is that they always have babies. Bottle feeding of the farm babies commences at 3pm every day. Usually it’s joeys, extremely cute and fluffy Scottish highland calves, lambs, kids and piglets being fed. Owner Debbie Maddams was quick to tell us that the adults usually get more of a buzz out of the feeding sessions than the children.

Along with the Alpacas, the other main stars of the Pentland show are the Koalas. Visitors can pat them at any time and feeding is at 10am daily. As koalas tend to sleep for most of the day, this is the best time to catch them awake if you’re looking for classic Kodak moments.

At the bottom of the farm are two small dams stocked year round with Rainbow Trout. Guests are welcome to bring their own rod and bait, alternatively you can hire the gear at the farm. You can keep what you catch, but you’ll pay five dollars for each fish you take home.

If you’re planning to spend the best part of the day at the farm, it’s a good idea to take along a picnic hamper. There’s plenty of shaded barbecue areas and an undercover  alfresco area adjoining the kiosk. While the kiosk only sells tea, coffee and snacks, it does serve lunch during the school holidays and is available for group bookings. BYO wine is allowed and no corkage is charged.

Before you head home via some of Denmark’s excellent wineries, make sure you pay Pentland’s large craft gallery a visit. Called the Old Craft Shop & Alpaca Boutique, you’ll find ceramics and paintings by West Australian artist Wendy Binks. There are also souvenirs, toys, woodcraft and an exquisite range of alpaca garments and wool. For more information on the farm call (08) 9840 9262.