Animal rights activists are protesting the arrival of the Stardust Circus in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales this week.

The circus, which prides itself on being the largest animal circus in the country, incorporates animals including lions, monkeys, pigs, horses, ponies, goats and dogs.

In a 10-minute lion performance, one animal walks around the ring on its hind legs and another jumps over a person's head.

Protester Angela Banovic, who is organising nightly stakeouts at the entrance to the event, said making animals perform was a cruel and outdated practice.

"It's the 21st century and it's time we stopped using animals as slaves for human entertainment," she said.

Animal welfare activist Angela Banovic says performing animals should become a thing of the past. ( Supplied: Facebook )

"We get to go home after the show, they don't.

"They stay there, they live in tiny enclosures and not only do they have to perform, they have to withstand the long travel between towns all across New South Wales."

More than 40 councils around the country have banned exotic animal circuses like Stardust from performing on council land.

Ringmaster Adam St James said the criticism was something he dealt with nearly every day.

"Some towns go overboard compared to others," he said.

"Our lions have been born and bred into human care for 23 generations.

"The word 'wild' that these people use is ridiculous … these animals are domesticated."

In January the American Ringling Brothers Circus and Barnum & Bailey Circus closed down after 146 years in action, after it stopped using elephants and ticket sales plummeted.

"They decided to take the elephants out of their program thanks to these animal fanatics, and they're now at the point where the circus has to close," Mr St James said.

He said Australia had some of the strictest circus regulations in the world.

"If the RSPCA ever has concerns about the animals they will approach us, and the field inspectors have given nothing but praise for the condition of the animals."

Protesters have set up camp outside the entrance to the circus at the Coffs Harbour Showground. ( Supplied: Facebook )

'Inherent problems' with animals in circuses

But NSW RSPCA veterinary medical officer Jade Norris said while the organisation did carry out welfare checks on performing animals, it did not endorse the practice.

"A circus cannot meet the physical, behavioural and social needs of exotic animals," she said.

"There are inherent welfare problems associated with that environment.

"If an inspector goes to look at a circus and that doesn't result in a prosecution, that is in no way an endorsement of the circus or praise of the condition of the animals."

Dr Morris said even when animals were bred in captivity, they retained their wild instincts.

Animals part of the circus family

Mr Ezekial says the creatures in his care want for nothing. ( ABC News: Ruby Cornish )

Animal trainer Matthew Ezekial, who joined Stardust Circus as a tent-hand at the age of 17, said he had always been good at reading animals and enjoyed every chance he got to spend time with them.

"They're part of the family. We love them and they don't want for anything," he said.

"The first thing we do when we get to a new lot is set up the animal yards, even before we do our caravans."

Mr Ezekial said anyone with concerns was welcome to visit the circus, meet the animals and make up their own mind.

"Come and see for yourself, don't believe everything you hear," he said.

Mr St James said the animal welfare concerns had done nothing to stymie visitor numbers.

"Pre-sales in Coffs Harbour are absolutely through the roof," he said.

"For the very small percentage of the community that doesn't want to see [animals perform], there's a much bigger percentage out there who do."