Wings Wildlife Park and Scenic Tour

Wings Wildlife Park is the heart of this Burnie day trip, especially if you want to get close to kangaroos rather than simply view animals from behind a fence. The visit also folds in a scenic drive through Gunns Plains and time in the seaside town of Penguin, making this a good mix of wildlife and Northwest Coast scenery.

I like the maximum group size of six, which gives the guide room to answer questions and adjust the day when possible. I also like the close kangaroo experience, plus the simple pleasure of Penguin’s bakery, visitor center, and oversized penguin photo stop.

The main thing to watch is timing. Cruise ship schedules can change, and one outing was shortened when the ship left earlier than planned. You should also expect a moderate amount of walking, bring lunch money, and sit near the front if hearing every word from the guide matters to you.

Key Points at a Glance

• Kangaroo encounters at Wings Wildlife Park: The most memorable part for many people is the chance to approach and feed kangaroos.
• A genuinely small group: The tour accepts no more than six people, allowing for a more personal day.
• Three different Tasmanian experiences: You get wildlife, countryside driving around Gunns Plains, and a seaside stop in Penguin.
• Cruise-friendly scheduling: Pickup and return times are adjusted around the ship’s time in Burnie.
• Morning tea is included: Lunch is not included, so plan to buy it along the way.
• Guides can shape the day: Sue and Marta have both led this outing, with flexibility to spend more time where your group is most interested.

Why This Six-Hour Outing Works

This is not a standard town sightseeing tour with a long list of rushed photo stops. The day gives you one main attraction, Wings Wildlife Park, then uses the drive and Penguin visit to show you more of the Northwest Coast.

That balance matters in Burnie. You can spend a few hours with animals, but you also get a sense of the countryside beyond the port. The route through Gunns Plains adds open-road scenery and a quieter feel than a day spent only in town.

The group limit is a real advantage. With six people or fewer, the guide can explain what you are seeing without addressing a busload of people. The guide may also have room to adjust the pace. One outing allowed more time at the places the group cared about, including stops for exploring and shopping.

The published rating is 4.9 from 14 reviews, with 93 percent recommending the experience. That is a small sample, but the pattern is clear: the guide’s attitude and the kangaroo encounter are the strongest parts of the day.

Inside Wings Wildlife Park

You spend about three hours at Wings Wildlife Park, and admission is included in the tour price. This is the longest stop, rightly so. It gives you time to see a mix of Tasmanian marsupials, birds, and farm animals instead of making a quick pass through the grounds.

The kangaroos are the main draw. You may get close enough to feed them, an experience that turns a general wildlife visit into something much more personal. Bring your camera, but keep your attention on the animals too. The appeal is being near them and watching their behavior, not just collecting a quick photograph.

The park also gives children a chance to stay engaged because the animal lineup is varied. The minimum age is seven, so the tour is aimed at families with older children as well as adults. Anyone hoping for a quiet, highly specialized wildlife expedition should keep expectations in check. This includes farm animals and birds as well as native marsupials.

Three hours can feel generous if you move quickly, but it is useful if you want time for the kangaroo encounter and a slower look around. The tour includes entry, so you do not need to budget for a separate park ticket.

The Gunns Plains Drive

The route around Gunns Plains is part of the experience, not just transport between stops. About an hour is set aside for scenic driving on the way to the wildlife park, giving you a view of the countryside around Burnie.

The exact road experience depends on the day and the guide, but the supplied details point to beautiful back roads and a chance to see more of Tasmania than the port area alone. Marta has also taken a group to Gunns Plains Caves, though cave visits are not listed as a standard included stop here. Do not book this tour expecting a guaranteed cave tour.

Your guide provides local context during the drive. Sue has been praised for explaining Tasmania and adapting the day, while Marta has made an effort to show as much of the region as possible within limited port time. If you are seated in the rear of the minivan, you may have trouble hearing everything. Sitting closer to the guide is a sensible request, especially if the commentary matters to you.

This part of the day is best for people who enjoy watching rural Tasmania unfold through the windows. It is less suitable if you want every minute filled with formal attractions.

A Short Stop in Penguin

Penguin gets about 45 minutes, enough for a walk, a photograph, and a quick look around rather than a full town visit. The famous big penguin gives you an easy photo landmark, and the visitor information center sells souvenirs.

The town also has a bakery that has become a popular stop on this route. Lunch is not included, so this may be a useful place to buy food, depending on the day’s timing. The tour includes morning tea, but you should still carry money for lunch and any treats or souvenirs.

I like the contrast here. After several hours around animals and country roads, Penguin offers a compact seaside town stop with a little time to wander under your own steam. Forty-five minutes is not enough for an extended exploration, but it is long enough to get a feel for the place without putting the ship schedule under too much pressure.

If Penguin is your main reason for booking, this tour may feel short. If it is one part of a broader day, the timing works well.

What the Guides Add

The guide can make or break a small-group tour, and this experience benefits from named local guides who appear to take pride in the area. Sue has led the tour and is described as accommodating, helpful, and enthusiastic. She has also adjusted time so a group could focus on the places that interested them most.

Marta has guided another outing, taking the group along scenic roads and making the most of a short cruise stop. The two names suggest that the exact tone of the day may vary, but both are presented as guides who know the region and care about showing it properly.

Small groups help here. You can ask about the animals, the towns, or the scenery without waiting for a formal question period. You can also explain if you need more time at a stop or want to keep moving.

There is one practical weakness. A passenger seated at the back of the minivan found it hard to hear the commentary. The operator was working on a safe solution, but no specific upgrade is promised. If you have hearing difficulties, ask to sit near the front when you meet the group.

Price, Food, and Time

At $156.19 per person, this is not a bargain-priced port shuttle. The value comes from combining transport, a local guide, morning tea, and entry to Wings Wildlife Park in one six-hour outing.

The small group is important when judging the price. You are not paying only for a ticket to the park. You are also paying for a day built around a limited number of people, with the possibility of a more flexible schedule and direct local commentary.

Lunch is extra. That is easy to overlook because morning tea is included, so plan for a separate food purchase. Penguin may be the most convenient place to do this, but the supplied schedule does not promise a particular lunch venue.

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point. Cruise passengers should use the free shuttle bus from the ship to stop 1 in Burnie, where the tour departs. Departure and return timing is adjusted to match the ship’s time in port, but ship changes can still affect the day. Keep your schedule flexible and confirm the current timing before you go.

The mobile ticket is practical for a port day. You receive confirmation at booking, which makes it easier to keep the details on your phone.

Walking, Families, and Accessibility

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. A moderate amount of walking is involved at the wildlife park and in Penguin, so this is not a sit-in-the-van sightseeing day.

The minimum age is seven. That makes the outing a reasonable family choice for children old enough to follow instructions around animals and manage several hours on the road. Very young children are not accepted.

Service animals are allowed. The supplied information does not give details about wheelchair access, vehicle storage, or the walking surfaces at Wings Wildlife Park, so you should ask the operator directly if those details affect your decision.

The day can suit older visitors who want a manageable introduction to the region, provided they are comfortable with the walking and minivan travel. Again, sitting near the front may help if you want to hear the guide clearly.

Weather and Cancellation Rules

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted. The same 24-hour rule applies when the minimum number of participants is not met, though in that case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund if the operator cancels.

This is worth noting for cruise passengers, since port plans can change. Once you are inside the 24-hour window, schedule changes may leave you responsible for the cost.

Who Should Book This Tour?

I would choose this outing if you want close animal contact, a small group, and a taste of rural Tasmania without arranging separate transport. It is especially well suited to cruise passengers who want more than a quick walk around Burnie.

Families with children aged seven and up should find the wildlife park engaging. Couples and solo visitors may also appreciate the personal attention that a six-person maximum can provide.

I would think twice if you want a long, unhurried visit to Penguin, a dedicated cave trip, or a tour with no walking. I would also avoid booking it if your ship’s port schedule is uncertain and you cannot tolerate changes.

For most people, the best reason to book is the kangaroo encounter. The scenery and Penguin stop broaden the day, but Wings Wildlife Park is the part most likely to stay with you. At $156.19, it makes the most sense when you value a local guide and small group more than the lowest possible price.

FAQ

How long is the Wings Wildlife Park and Scenic Tour?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes morning tea and entry into Wings Wildlife Park. Lunch and gratuities are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is six travelers.

Is the tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

Yes. The timing is adjusted around the ship’s time in Burnie. Cruise passengers must take the free shuttle bus to stop 1 in Burnie, where the tour departs.

What animals will I see at Wings Wildlife Park?

You can see marsupials, birds, and farm animals. The park also offers the chance to get close to and feed kangaroos.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. The minimum age is seven.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.