Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

Wings Wildlife Park gives you something cruise-port outings often lack: real time with kangaroos and Tasmanian devils, not just a quick photo stop. You ride inland from Burnie, walk through a sizeable animal park, then return by a scenic route near the Leven River and Penguin.

I like the easy ship-day timing and the chance to feed kangaroos in an open enclosure. I also like that the ride itself is part of the outing, with countryside views and commentary from the guide-driver. The main caution is time: the park visit is advertised as about two hours, but the detailed timing lists roughly 90 minutes, and one outing allowed only 80 minutes.

Key points to know

• Kangaroo feeding is the star attraction: You can enter the enclosure, walk among the animals, and buy food for hand-feeding.
• Tasmanian devils are the specialty: You can watch feeding presentations and, for an extra charge, possibly arrange a closer encounter.
• The drive adds real value: The route passes through rural Tasmania, along the Leven River, and near Penguin.
• The visit is self-guided: A guide-driver handles transport and commentary, but you explore Wings Wildlife Park on your own.
• Paid animal encounters cost extra: Koala and baby Tasmanian devil experiences are not included in the $89.66 ticket.
• Wheelchair users need to check carefully: The bus has no wheelchair lift, and you must be able to walk onto the vehicle.

From Burnie’s port to a Tasmanian wildlife park

This excursion is designed for a cruise stop in Burnie. The total outing lasts about 3 hours and 50 minutes, including the drive to Wings Wildlife Park, time inside the park, and the return journey.

You meet at 13 Wilmot Street in Burnie, near the market area. One useful tip is to cross the market area to the tour company table on the other side. A different operator may be nearby, and that has caused confusion at the meeting point.

The transport is handled by a guide-driver. Marie is one guide specifically praised for her local knowledge and friendly manner, and another outing included a volunteer narrator on the bus. Commentary can make the drive more than simple transport, although one technical problem meant some passengers at the back could not hear clearly.

The group may include up to 50 people. That is a fairly large bus group, but it also helps keep the price down and makes the outing practical for a cruise schedule.

The scenic ride is part of the experience

The drive to the park takes about 45 minutes, according to one detailed account. You leave Burnie and head inland through Tasmanian countryside, with the most attractive views coming during the final 15 to 20 minutes before reaching the park.

The return route includes scenery along the Leven River and passes through Penguin, a coastal village with a very different feel from Burnie. You may find the drive especially rewarding if you want a glimpse of rural Tasmania but do not have time for a full countryside tour.

This is not a point-to-point transfer with a dull road between two attractions. The changing views of mountains, valleys, small towns, and farmland help explain why this outing works well for a short port visit. You get a taste of the island beyond the waterfront without having to arrange separate transport.

The return transport can be especially useful on a ship day. In at least one case, the bus took passengers directly back to the ship rather than requiring a transfer in town. That may depend on the day’s arrangements, so check the instructions you receive before setting out.

What you can see at Wings Wildlife Park

Wings Wildlife Park is home to more than 150 species. The collection includes animals strongly linked with Australia and Tasmania, such as:

• Tasmanian devils
• Kangaroos
• Wallabies
• Wombats
• Koalas
• Parrots and other birds
• Smaller creatures, including mice

The park also cares for injured and orphaned animals. That gives the visit a purpose beyond simply viewing animals behind barriers. You can learn about the pressures faced by native species and the work involved in caring for them.

The grounds include landscaped paths, animal areas, and a lakeside setting. You can walk at your own pace and stop for photographs. The park is described as clean and well maintained, and the animals are generally easy to see.

Do not expect a totally wild encounter. This is a wildlife park and preserve, not a national park where you search the bush for a distant animal. The benefit is that you can see several hard-to-find Tasmanian species in one place, often at close range.

Feeding kangaroos is the highlight

For many people, the kangaroo enclosure is the best part of the visit. You can walk among the kangaroos and wallabies, and food is available for purchase.

The open setting makes the encounter feel more personal than viewing a kangaroo across a fence. You can feed the animals by hand, watch them move through the enclosure, and take photographs at close range. The experience is active, simple, and easy to enjoy even if you know little about Australian wildlife.

The animals may not all be interested in you at the same moment. Some may come straight over for food, while others keep their distance. That is part of the appeal. You are interacting with animals on their terms rather than watching a staged show.

If kangaroos are your main reason for booking, head there early in your park visit. You have limited time, and it is easy to get distracted by birds, devils, koalas, and the other enclosures.

A friendly Gang-gang cockatoo has also made a strong impression on visitors. Encounters with individual birds can be just as memorable as the larger animals, especially when a bird comes close or shows interest in people.

Tasmanian devils bring the local character

The Tasmanian devil is the animal that makes this park different from a general Australian zoo. You can see the devils up close and learn about their behavior and conservation needs.

A feeding presentation may include the devils tearing into meat. It can be fascinating, but it is not polished or gentle entertainment. The sight is gory, so prepare children and anyone with a weak stomach. The raw feeding behavior gives you a clearer sense of the animal than a quiet enclosure ever could.

You may also be able to book an extra Tasmanian devil encounter at the park. Baby devil experiences have been especially popular, but they cost more than the main excursion. One account gives an additional price of about US$40, though you should confirm the current fee before relying on that figure.

The same applies to koala encounters. Petting a koala and taking photographs may be available for an additional charge. The opportunity depends on availability, timing, and the park’s rules on the day.

If you want one of these paid experiences, ask about it as soon as you arrive. The park visit is short, and waiting until the end could leave you with no time or no available slot.

Koalas, wombats, parrots, and smaller animals

The park’s appeal is its variety. You may arrive focused on devils and kangaroos, then find yourself spending time with wombats, wallabies, parrots, or smaller creatures.

Koala encounters are handled separately from ordinary viewing. The chance to pet one can be a special memory, but you should see it as an optional extra rather than part of the standard ticket.

Birds add color and movement to the walk. Parrots are among the species you can see, and the friendly Gang-gang cockatoo has become a favorite individual for some visitors. The bird areas are worth allowing time for, especially if you enjoy photographs.

The park’s range also helps families and mixed-interest groups. One person can watch a devil presentation while another explores the kangaroo area or looks for birds. You are not locked into one fixed route after entering.

How much time do you really get?

The excursion lasts about 3 hours and 50 minutes, but the park portion deserves careful attention. The main description promises two hours at Wings Wildlife Park, while the detailed itinerary lists one hour and 30 minutes. One outing reportedly had only one hour and 20 minutes at the park.

That difference matters. Wings has more than 150 species, and you cannot see every area slowly in 80 or 90 minutes. You will need to choose your priorities.

For a first visit, I would focus on:

1. The kangaroo and wallaby enclosure
2. The Tasmanian devil area or feeding presentation
3. Any pre-booked koala or baby devil encounter
4. A quick walk through the bird and wombat areas

An hour and a half can work if you move with purpose. It is enough for the major animals and a few photographs, but not enough for a relaxed visit to every corner, a long café stop, and several paid encounters.

The park may feel rushed for people who want a slow nature experience. If your ideal outing includes sitting beside the lake, reading every sign, and lingering at each enclosure, this schedule may feel tight.

Food, gifts, and the practical extras

Wings Wildlife Park has an on-site café serving Tasmanian delicacies. That gives you a chance to eat without adding another stop to a carefully timed shore outing.

The souvenir shop sells Tasmanian gifts. It is useful if you want something connected to the region rather than a generic cruise-port item, but remember that shopping takes away from animal-viewing time.

Park admission is included in the tour price. Food, souvenirs, animal food, and special animal encounters are extra.

At $89.66 per person, the value depends on what you want from a Burnie stop. The fare covers return transport, a guide-driver, scenic countryside, admission, and a carefully timed return to the port area. A taxi or private car could offer more flexibility, but you would need to arrange admission and manage the ship-day timing yourself.

For someone who wants wildlife without renting a car, the price is reasonable. It is less compelling if you mainly want to see Burnie itself, since the outing spends much of its time outside town.

Weather, cancellations, and ship-day concerns

Burnie can be affected by strong winds. If your ship cannot dock, the excursion cannot operate for you, no matter how well organized the park visit would be.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The operator has adjusted start times when a ship was delayed, which is helpful on a port day. Still, you should follow the final meeting instructions and allow enough time to get off the ship and reach Wilmot Street.

The outing ends back at the Burnie meeting point. In some cases, transport has returned passengers directly to the ship, but do not assume that every departure will use the exact same drop-off arrangement.

Accessibility and mobility limits

This point needs plain wording. The vehicle can store a wheelchair, but it does not have a wheelchair lift. You must be able to walk onto the bus.

That makes the outing unsuitable for a person who cannot walk onto a vehicle, even if they use a folding wheelchair after boarding. Contact the provider before booking if mobility is an issue, and do not rely on the general statement that most people can participate.

The park itself may offer walkable paths, but the vehicle limitation is the key concern for this shore excursion.

Who should book Wings Wildlife Park?

I would choose this outing if you want close animal encounters, especially kangaroos and Tasmanian devils, and you prefer an organized shore transfer.

It suits families, first-time visitors to Tasmania, wildlife fans, and anyone who wants a short look at the countryside beyond Burnie. The kangaroo enclosure is easy to enjoy, and the mix of animals means the visit works for people with different interests.

I would think twice if you dislike scheduled group transport or want several hours at the park. You may also prefer another outing if your main goal is a long, quiet walk in nature rather than close viewing of animals in a managed setting.

Book early if you want a place on a popular sailing. Also ask in advance about koala and devil encounters, since those experiences cost extra and may fill during your visit.

Should you book this Burnie excursion?

Yes, if your priority is seeing Australian animals in a short, well-organized outing. The kangaroo feeding, Tasmanian devil viewing, scenic drive, and included admission give the $89.66 price solid value.

Go in with realistic expectations about time. Treat the park as a focused wildlife stop, not a full-day visit. If you can accept that limitation, Wings Wildlife Park offers one of the most distinctive ways to spend a Burnie port call.

FAQ

How long does the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle last?

The full experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, including travel time between Burnie and the park.

How much time do I get inside Wings Wildlife Park?

The excursion is described as allowing about two hours, while the detailed itinerary lists one hour and 30 minutes. Actual time may vary, so plan to focus on your top animal encounters.

Is admission to Wings Wildlife Park included?

Yes. Admission to the park is included in the $89.66 tour price.

Are koala and Tasmanian devil encounters included?

No. Special koala and baby Tasmanian devil encounters cost extra. Animal food for kangaroo feeding is also an additional purchase.

Where does the excursion begin and end?

The meeting point is 13 Wilmot Street, Burnie, Tasmania. The activity ends back at the meeting point, although direct return to the ship may occur in some arrangements.

Can someone using a wheelchair join the tour?

The vehicle does not have a wheelchair lift. A passenger must be able to walk onto the bus, though the vehicle can store a wheelchair.