The circus veteran always wanted to work with animals, but never imagined spending his days kicking a ball with the big cats or bottle feeding cubs with his three children.

So what makes a home-schooled country boy who was raised by a "farmer and city girl" want to be a lion tamer?

"I went to see the circus when it came to Port about 15 years ago, because my brother was working in it - and that was it for me," says lion tamer Matt Ezekial. "I love all animals - and even looked into working for a zoo - but there's not as much handling.

"Where else would I get to play soccer with lions or train monkeys, horses, pigs and dogs?" he said.

To spice things up, the animal whisperer even throws on the clown's over-sized shoes and red nose from time to time.

Ironically, his brother is now a successful real estate agent in Perth, while Mr Ezekial and his trapeze artist wife Winona raise their family travelling the country with Australia's largest circus.

Their three children were born between shows in Swan Hill, Queanbeyan and the Gold Coast - and youngest son Braxton celebrated his fifth birthday under the big top at Westport Park this week.

"I can't imagine doing anything else. The kids just think this is normal and I don't think I could stay in one place now," he said.

So how do you get a wild animal to jump through hoops, roll or take a piece of chicken from a trainer's mouth?

"It's all about spending lots of time with them and trusting each other," Mr Ezekial said. "They respond to hand gestures and commands, but learning new tricks is just about repetition and rewards-based training, with a piece of chicken when they get it right.

"You can't train to be a lion tamer, it's all just on the job training."

Mr Ezekial fell into lion taming when fellow tamer, and brother in-law, Glen West casually suggested he give it a try.

Stardust Circus currently has three older lions and four two-year-olds, but the trainers try not to have favourites.

"They all have their own personalities, but all love a belly rub and lazing in the sun all day.

"Lions are misunderstood. I've had a few nips, but they do it just to test me."

One misconception is the menacing threat behind a lion's deep throaty roar, which can carry for up to five kilometres.

"That's not the noise you have to be worried about," Mr Ezekial said.

"They're just marking their territory. It's the softer growl you have to worry about."

Sitting ringside during the upcoming shows will be Mr Ezekial's father, who still lives in Bonny Hills - and can be seen crafting balloons at local markets under the alias Cornelius the Clown.

Stardust Circus will be at Westport Park until November 9.

"I know mum (now deceased) used to get nervous and I guess it can be dangerous, but they usually give you a sign, or let you know 'don't go near me, I'm in that mood," Mr Ezekial said.