Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

Tasmanian devils, free-roaming kangaroos, wombats, koalas, and parrots make Wings Wildlife Park a strong choice for a short port visit. The best part is the mix of close animal encounters and a pretty drive through the Tasmanian countryside, including the coastal village of Penguin and the Leven River.

I like the open kangaroo enclosure, where you can buy food and walk among the animals, and I like that the ride itself becomes part of the outing. The guide or driver provides commentary on the way, while your time at the park is self guided. The main catch is time: the excursion is advertised at about two hours in the park, but the stop details say 90 minutes, and one departure allowed only about 80 minutes.

• Feed kangaroos up close in an open enclosure, one of the park’s most memorable experiences.
• See more than 150 animal species, including Tasmanian devils, wombats, koalas, wallabies, birds, and parrots.
• Enjoy a scenic inland drive from Burnie, with a return route along the Leven River and through Penguin.
• Add special animal encounters for an extra fee, including koala contact and time with a baby Tasmanian devil.
• Travel from a central Burnie meeting point at 13 Wilmot Street, with the return to the same location or, on some departures, directly to the ship.
• Check mobility needs carefully because the bus has no wheelchair lift and you must be able to walk onto it.

Why Wings Wildlife Park Works for a Burnie Port Day

Burnie is a practical port for seeing a less urban side of Tasmania. The Wings Wildlife Park shuttle takes you away from the waterfront and into the island’s countryside, where farms, hills, small towns, and river views replace the industrial edge of town.

The total outing lasts about 3 hours and 50 minutes, including transportation. That makes it a good fit for a ship visit when you want a proper excursion but do not want to spend the whole day away from port.

This is not a private wildlife safari or a fully guided park tour. You ride with a guide and driver, then explore Wings Wildlife Park on your own. That arrangement gives you freedom to choose your pace, but you need to watch the time and decide what matters most before you enter.

The price is $89.66 per person. I consider that fair for a port excursion that includes return transportation, admission, commentary on the drive, and the security of a planned return. You are also paying for convenience. Reaching a wildlife park independently from a cruise port would require arranging your own transport and keeping a close eye on the ship schedule.

The Scenic Ride Inland From Burnie

The trip to Wings Wildlife Park takes roughly 45 minutes, according to the experience details shared by passengers. The ride is not dead time. It gives you a look at the countryside around Burnie, with particularly attractive views during the final 15 to 20 minutes before reaching the park.

The route includes a drive inland and a return journey along the Leven River. You also pass through Penguin, a small coastal village that adds a local stop of interest without requiring a separate visit.

The commentary can vary with the departure. Some trips include a local narrator on the bus, while others rely on recorded information. Marie has been praised as a friendly guide who shared useful information about the countryside. One technical problem meant some people at the back of a bus could not hear the guide, so sitting near the front is a sensible idea if live narration matters to you.

The group can be as large as 50 people. That is a sizable coach group, but it also helps explain the reasonable price and fixed schedule. If you prefer a quiet, flexible drive with long stops, this will feel more structured. If you want an easy shore day without arranging transport, the coach format works well.

Two Hours, Ninety Minutes, or Less at the Park

The central issue is how much time you actually receive at Wings Wildlife Park. The tour description promises two hours at the park, while the stop details list 1 hour and 30 minutes. One account describes only about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

That difference matters. Wings has more than 150 species, and the grounds include animal enclosures, landscaped paths, a lakeside area, and a café. You cannot take your time with every animal, add a paid encounter, feed kangaroos, and browse the shop without making choices.

I would plan as if you have 90 minutes, then treat any extra time as a bonus. Head first to the animals you most want to see. If kangaroos are your priority, buy food early and go straight to their enclosure. If you hope to arrange a koala or Tasmanian devil encounter, ask about availability as soon as you arrive.

The park is self guided, so there is no fixed walking route you must follow. That is useful for families and independent sightseers. It also means you will need to manage your own time rather than follow a staff member from one presentation to the next.

Kangaroos, Wallabies, and the Park’s Friendliest Encounters

The open kangaroo area is the highlight for many people, and I can see why. You may buy food and enter an enclosure where kangaroos and wallabies move around you. Feeding them by hand creates a more direct experience than simply viewing animals behind a barrier.

The setting is described as a treed area, which makes the encounter feel less like a standard city zoo. You can watch the animals move, feed them, and take photographs, though you should always follow staff instructions about handling and feeding.

Wallabies offer another close encounter, and baby animals may sometimes be present under care. A caretaker has raised a baby wallaby at the park, though you should not assume that a particular animal will be available on your visit.

Parrots and other birds add color and movement to the visit. A friendly gang-gang cockatoo has become a favorite for some people, but animal behavior is never guaranteed. The appeal here is the range of contact: you are not coming only to see one famous species.

Tasmanian Devils and Special Animal Encounters

Wings Wildlife Park is a useful place to see Tasmanian devils, an animal many people specifically hope to find in Tasmania. You can observe them at close range, and presentations explain their behavior and the challenges facing native species.

A devil feeding can be memorable and a little graphic. These animals may tear into meat with surprising force, so this is not a soft-focus animal show. It gives you a more honest look at how they eat and why their teeth and jaws are built the way they are.

Extra encounters may be available for an additional fee. One option costs about $40 US per encounter, based on the information provided. These paid activities can include holding a baby Tasmanian devil or petting a koala. Availability may depend on the day, so do not build your whole visit around securing one.

Koala contact is a major draw. Blinky Bill, the park’s koala, has been available for petting and photographs, and being awake during an encounter can make the moment more engaging. Koalas sleep for long periods, so even a paid encounter may not guarantee an active animal.

I would view these add-ons as optional extras rather than part of the basic value. The standard admission already gives you plenty to see, especially if kangaroos, devils, and birds are your main interests.

Wombats, Birds, and More Than the Headline Animals

The park’s appeal is its variety. Along with kangaroos, wallabies, devils, and koalas, you may see wombats, parrots, fish, mice, and other native or rescued animals. That range helps fill the visit if one animal is sleeping or hidden.

The grounds are described as clean and well maintained, with attractive paths and a lakeside area. You can walk through the enclosures, stop for photographs, or pause for a picnic-style break if time permits.

The park also has an educational and conservation role. It cares for injured and orphaned animals and shares information about the pressures facing Tasmania’s native species. That gives the visit more meaning than a simple animal photo stop, though the amount of formal explanation you receive depends on the staff presentation and your own exploration.

For children, the combination of movement and contact is likely to work better than a long lecture. For adults, the Tasmanian devil presentation and the chance to see local species at close range add substance to the outing.

Café, Souvenirs, and Your Final Minutes

Wings Wildlife Park has an on-site café serving Tasmanian delicacies. It is a useful option if you want a snack without leaving the grounds, but I would not make a long café stop unless you have already seen your priority animals.

The souvenir shop offers Tasmanian gifts, which can be handy if you want something connected to wildlife or the island. Still, every minute spent shopping is a minute taken from the animal enclosures. With the shorter schedule reported on some departures, save shopping for the end and keep it brief.

The lakeside area may tempt you to slow down. That is part of the park’s charm, but the excursion is built around a return transfer, not an open-ended park visit. Keep an eye on the meeting time and listen carefully for instructions from the driver.

Getting Back to Burnie and the Ship

The stated meeting point is 13 Wilmot Street in Burnie, and the activity ends back there. The location is near public transportation, but this excursion is designed around the organized shuttle rather than independent travel.

On at least one departure, the bus returned people directly to the ship instead of requiring a transfer in town. That is a worthwhile convenience, but you should confirm the return arrangement when you check in. The key question is not only where the bus leaves from, but where it will drop you after the park.

The operator has adjusted departure times when a ship arrived late, which is helpful on a port day. Even so, you should arrive at the meeting point with time to spare. One booking account also described confusion at the market area, where another tour provider did not recognize the company. Look for the eGuide table across the market area rather than assuming every nearby tour desk represents this shuttle.

Burnie’s weather can also affect the day. High winds have prevented ships from docking, causing excursions to be canceled. That is outside the operator’s control, but it is a reminder that port plans in Tasmania need some flexibility.

Who Should Book This Excursion?

I would choose this trip if you want close contact with Australian animals, especially kangaroos and Tasmanian devils, without arranging your own transport. It suits families, first-time visitors to Tasmania, and anyone who values a scenic coach ride as part of the outing.

It is also a good choice if you want a balance of structure and independence. The guide handles the drive and local information, while you decide how to spend your park time.

I would hesitate if you need a long, relaxed visit. The park is large enough that 90 minutes can feel rushed, particularly if you want a paid animal encounter, food, photos, and time at the café. I would also avoid booking without clarification if anyone in your party uses a wheelchair or cannot walk onto a coach. Wheelchairs can be stored, but the vehicle has no lift and the passenger must be able to board on foot.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded, so check the ship schedule and mobility requirements before booking.

FAQ

How long does the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle take?

The full excursion lasts approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, including transportation. The drive to the park takes about 45 minutes, with the remaining time split between the park visit and the return journey.

How much time do I get at Wings Wildlife Park?

The experience description says about two hours, while the stop details list 1 hour and 30 minutes. One departure allowed about 1 hour and 20 minutes, so plan for roughly 90 minutes and confirm the schedule on the day.

Is admission to Wings Wildlife Park included?

Yes. Admission to the park is included in the $89.66 per-person price.

Can I feed the kangaroos?

Yes. The kangaroo enclosure is open for close viewing, and food can be purchased so you can feed the kangaroos by hand.

Are koala and Tasmanian devil encounters included?

No. Special encounters cost extra. The information provided gives an example of about $40 US per encounter, and availability may vary.

Where does the tour meet in Burnie?

The meeting point is 13 Wilmot Street, Burnie, Tasmania 7320. The activity ends back at the meeting point, although some departures have returned directly to the ship.

Is the excursion wheelchair accessible?

The bus does not have a wheelchair lift. Wheelchairs can be stored, but you must be able to walk onto the bus. Contact the operator before booking if this affects anyone in your party.

Should You Book the Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle?

Book it if your top priorities are kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, a scenic countryside ride, and simple port-day transportation. The open kangaroo enclosure is the real prize, while the devil presentations and possible koala encounters add memorable moments.

Go in with realistic timing. Treat the park visit as a focused 90-minute stop, choose your must-see animals first, and ask about special encounters as soon as you arrive. At $89.66, the excursion offers solid value for the transportation and admission, but it is best for people who prefer a well-planned introduction to Tasmanian wildlife rather than a slow, all-day visit.