CATCHING a glimpse of a koala joey tucked into the safe arms of her mum at Oakvale Wildlife Park, was a moment eight-year-old Sienna Glohe won't ever forget.
Visiting with her mum Jessica and dad Harley from Orange, the trio were enjoying a week away in the Hunter for the school holidays.
"I'm enjoying seeing the koalas," Sienna said.
Mrs Glohe said it was a nice way to get out and enjoy the sunshine as a family.
"It's great to be out as a family, getting away and doing things that we don't have the option to do in the Central West," she said.
The wildlife park has seen hundreds walk through the gates daily throughout the holiday period, operations manager Kellie Smith said.
"We can see anywhere from 500 to 800 people a day. It's really exciting to see so many people come through and experience our beautiful animals and coming to our feeding shows and presentations," she said.
There is plenty to see and do from patting a koala to feeding domestic farm animals and watching the meerkats and ring-tailed lemurs bask in the sun. There is also a water splash park and barbecue facilities on site.
"We have our domestic farm animals as well as Australian natives and exotics from our beautiful koalas wombats, Tasmanian devils to meerkat, lemurs and we've got goats, lambs and alpacas that roam and more," Ms Smith said.
A popular activity over the holiday period has been the Meet the Koalas encounter with $5 of each ticket sale going into the park's 'Save Our Wildlife' program.
"People can get up nice and close, have a pat and take some photos," Ms Smith said.
"We are very hands-on. It's not seeing animals behind glass doors or behind cages. They actually get to touch and have that connection with wildlife."
Ms Smith said it was a rewarding role to be part of saving an endangered species, particularly with the addition of a seven-month old koala joey that is yet to be named.
"It's extremely special because it's always great to add to the population of koalas. They are a crucial part of our culture and our country and we want to protect them as much as possible," she said.
She said there are plans to host a naming competition for the joey and encouraged people to keep an eye out on their social media but in the meantime to come and see the baby for a visit.
"Now's the time to come and see her and think of a name. We'll have a prize for the winning name," she said.
Oakvale Wildlife Park will be open over the October long weekend from 10am-5pm.
