The Farmyard Nursery at the Sydney Royal Easter Show is a beloved institution, enchanting generations of city families with magical, hands-on encounters with baby animals. Drawing from over 60 years of community spirit, friendship and innovation, it remains one of the Show’s most cherished destinations – inviting every visitor to discover the beating heart of the farm, nestled in the heart of Sydney.
The Farmyard Nursery began in the mid-1960s, the brainstorm of two animal-loving friends: David White and Pat Birchall. Their bond, kindled as teenagers showing poultry at the Mudgee Show, blossomed into a lifelong partnership. Together, they recognised a growing divide between city and country life, as urban expansion left many children wondering how milk came to be in bottles and rural holidays drifted into memory. Their answer: create a place where every child could reach out and touch the farm, learning by doing and delighting in discovery.
Their first efforts were humble – borrowing animals from country friends and local breeders, teaching lambs to bottle-feed, and wrangling cages onto trucks in a caravan. The warmth, goodwill and expertise of these pioneering committees, supported by RAS volunteers and agricultural greats, helped the Nursery flourish. Mary Willsallen supplied mares and foals, while renowned breeders loaned dogs, cats, birds and goats. Over the next three decades, David and Pat poured their hearts into the project, with Pat taking annual leave every Easter to oversee the display.
Today, the Farmyard Nursery remains the largest of its kind in Australia – an open-plan, indoor paddock where farm animals roam free, greeting children and adults alike. Friendly goats, playful piglets and curious calves mix with city children, who leave with memories of warm wool, soft feathers and wriggling noses. For a small fee, guests can grab a cup of kibble and join in, hand-feeding the farm’s gentle residents.
The enthusiasm hasn’t waned: nearly half of all Show visitors make the Nursery a must-see stop, and it remains a rite of passage for families year after year.
At its core, the Farmyard Nursery is about connection: between generations, between rural and urban, and between every child and the animals that sustain Australian agriculture. The legacy of David White and Pat Birchall continues through the countless Showgoers who return year after year, eager to share this special place with their own children. From the first bottle-fed lambs in the 1960s to the bustling, laughter-filled Nursery of today, this is a living story of friendship, dedication and rural magic.
Located in the McIntosh Pavilion, the Nursery welcomes visitors daily throughout the Show with extended hours on weekends and public holidays. For a truly unforgettable experience, dive into a day filled with adorable animals, friendly volunteers and the timeless excitement of discovery on the farm. Be part of an iconic Show tradition – and maybe create a new family tradition of your own.
