Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

The star of this Burnie shore excursion is the chance to walk among kangaroos and wallabies, then watch Tasmanian devils, wombats, koalas, and parrots at close range. The park has more than 150 species, and the scenic drive through Tasmania’s countryside is part of the reward.

I like the easy port-to-port plan and the chance to spend your park time at your own pace. I also like that you can pay for a special koala or baby Tasmanian devil encounter after arrival instead of being forced into an expensive package. The main caution is time: the tour promises about two hours at Wings, but one departure allowed only about an hour and 20 minutes, while the published stop also lists 1 hour 30 minutes.

Key points to know before booking

• Kangaroo feeding is the star moment: You can enter an open enclosure, feed kangaroos by hand, and walk among them.
• Tasmanian devil encounters cost extra: Special animal interactions, including koala and baby devil experiences, may be booked at the park for an additional fee.
• The drive is part of the excursion: Expect inland scenery on the way out and a return route along the Leven River through Penguin.
• You explore Wings independently: A guide or driver handles the transport, while your time inside the park is self-guided.
• Allow for a tight visit: The full outing lasts about 3 hours 50 minutes, with roughly 90 minutes to two hours inside the park.
• Wheelchair users need to check carefully: The vehicles do not have a wheelchair lift, and you must be able to walk onto the bus.

Why this makes a good Burnie shore excursion

Burnie is a working port on Tasmania’s northwest coast, and the most rewarding day trips quickly leave the waterfront. Wings Wildlife Park gives you a taste of inland Tasmania without committing to a long full-day journey. You get wildlife, countryside, and a managed return to the port in less than four hours.

That timing matters on a cruise stop. You do not have to spend the day worrying about a long independent drive back to the ship. The outing begins and ends at 13 Wilmot Street in Burnie, with travel time already included in the total duration. One departure even returned directly to the ship, though the stated meeting and end point is the Burnie meeting location, so confirm the exact transfer plan when you arrive.

The format is simple. A guide and driver take you from Burnie to Wings Wildlife Park, sharing information along the way. Once inside, you are free to choose your own route. That works well if one person in your party wants to linger with birds while another heads straight for kangaroos and Tasmanian devils.

The excursion has a maximum group size of 50 people. That is not a small private outing, but it is a manageable size for a shuttle-style shore trip. Departure timing can also be adjusted to fit a ship’s schedule. Marie, one of the guides, has been praised for her friendly local commentary and information about the countryside. On another outing, a volunteer narrated the bus ride.

The drive inland from Burnie

The ride to the park takes roughly 45 minutes, according to the tour details shared by the operator. The first part carries you away from Burnie, and the final 15 to 20 minutes are especially scenic as the road reaches more open countryside, valleys, mountains, and small Tasmanian towns.

I would treat the drive as more than a transfer. It gives you a quick look at the region beyond the cruise port, something a compact town walk cannot provide. The route shows how quickly northwest Tasmania changes from coastal settlement to rural scenery.

The return trip follows a different scenic line, passing along the Leven River and through Penguin, a coastal village. You will not have a long stop to explore every place along the route, but the changing views help make the ride feel like part of the outing rather than dead time.

There is one practical point to watch. A guide’s microphone did not work properly on one departure, leaving people at the back unable to hear clearly. If you sit toward the rear of the vehicle, you may want to ask about the commentary system or move forward when possible. Some departures use recorded information, while others have live narration.

Entering Wings Wildlife Park

Wings Wildlife Park is the only scheduled stop, but it offers enough variety to fill a short visit. The grounds include more than 150 species, with Australian mammals, birds, and other animals spread across landscaped areas. The setting includes a lake and places where you can pause for a picnic or a snack.

This is not simply a drive-by wildlife viewing stop. The close encounters are the reason to come. You can see Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, parrots, and smaller animals such as mice. The park also cares for injured and orphaned animals, giving the visit an educational and conservation purpose.

You are not placed into a long guided walk once you arrive. Instead, you receive admission and explore independently. That freedom is useful, but it also means you need to manage your own time. With only 90 minutes to two hours, avoid spending too long at the first enclosure.

A sensible order is to check the day’s animal presentations or encounter availability first, then visit the Tasmanian devils and kangaroo enclosure. After that, use any remaining time for koalas, wombats, birds, and the other sections of the park. The exact presentation schedule is not provided, so ask staff when you enter.

Feeding kangaroos and meeting wallabies

The open kangaroo area is the biggest hit for many visitors, and it is easy to understand why. You can walk among kangaroos and wallabies, buy food, and offer it by hand. This is a more active experience than viewing animals behind a barrier.

For many people, the kangaroo enclosure becomes the best memory of the day. The animals are close enough for photos, and you can spend a few quiet minutes watching their behavior rather than simply checking them off a list. Friendly birds, including a gang-gang cockatoo, may also make the visit more personal.

You should budget extra time here, but do not let the kangaroos consume the entire visit. The park’s other animals are a major reason to make the drive, especially if Tasmanian devils are high on your list.

Animal food is an additional purchase, based on the information available. The same applies to special animal encounters. Bring your camera, but remember that an up-close animal experience is not guaranteed unless you arrange it and pay the extra fee.

Tasmanian devils, koalas, and paid encounters

Tasmanian devils are the signature animal here. You can see them close up and learn about the challenges facing this unusual Tasmanian species. A feeding presentation may be quite graphic, with devils tearing apart meat. That is useful, honest natural behavior, but it may not suit young children or anyone uneasy around feeding displays.

Some visitors book a baby Tasmanian devil encounter at the park. The reported price was about US$40 for the encounter, though the exact fee can change. If this is your main reason for booking, ask about availability as soon as you arrive. Paying extra can be worthwhile for a once-in-a-lifetime moment, but it is not part of the $89.66 base fare.

Koala encounters are also available for an extra fee. The experience can include petting a koala and taking photographs. A koala called Blinky Bill was mentioned in connection with one visit, and being awake during the encounter made that meeting especially memorable. Still, koalas rest for long periods, so you should not assume an animal will be active on your particular visit.

The park may also have unusual hand-raised animals, such as a baby wallaby cared for by a staff member. These moments are not guaranteed, but they show the range of personal encounters that can make the stop feel different from a standard zoo visit.

How much park time will you really get?

The schedule needs careful reading. The overview says you have two hours at Wings Wildlife Park, while the listed stop gives a duration of 1 hour 30 minutes. The overall outing is approximately 3 hours 50 minutes, including transportation.

Most people can see a good selection of animals in 90 minutes. One person described that length as just right, especially when moving efficiently between the kangaroos, devils, birds, and other enclosures. Others wanted more time and could not see everything before the bus departed.

Your priorities will decide how comfortable the timing feels. If you want only general viewing, 90 minutes may work. If you want to feed kangaroos, attend a presentation, buy food, take photographs, visit the café, browse the shop, and arrange a paid encounter, the clock will feel tight.

I would plan on 90 minutes unless the operator confirms two full hours for your sailing. Arrive with a short list of must-sees, and book any extra encounter before wandering. This is especially important for families, photographers, and anyone who moves slowly.

Café, shop, and the value of the stop

Wings has an on-site café offering Tasmanian delicacies, plus a souvenir shop with local gifts. These are useful additions, though I would put them behind the animals when time is limited. You can find food and souvenirs in many ports, but the chance to see Tasmanian wildlife is the scarce part of this excursion.

At $89.66 per person, the price is reasonable for a cruise-port outing that includes transport, admission, a guide or driver, and a scenic return route. It becomes better value if you want a low-stress day and do not want to arrange a rental car or taxi from Burnie.

The price does not include kangaroo food or special koala and Tasmanian devil encounters. Those extras can add up quickly. I would book the basic excursion if you mainly want to see the animals, then decide at the park if a paid interaction fits your budget.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.6 rating from 34 ratings point to a dependable experience, but the complaints are worth noting. The biggest issues are limited time, occasional meeting-point confusion, and accessibility. One reservation was initially difficult to locate at the market, though the company accommodated the party.

Meeting in Burnie and avoiding confusion

The stated meeting point is 13 Wilmot Street, Burnie, Tasmania 7320. The tour company uses a table across the market area, and one useful practical tip is to walk across the market to find it rather than stopping with another provider nearby.

That detail matters because port days can be crowded and several excursion companies may gather in the same general area. Have your confirmation ready and look for the eGuide table. If your ship arrives late, contact the operator as soon as possible, since the departure may be adjusted to fit the ship schedule.

The tour ends back at the meeting point according to the published plan. Some departures have taken passengers directly to the ship, but you should not count on that unless it is confirmed for your sailing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded.

Who should book this excursion?

I recommend this outing for families, first-time visitors to Tasmania, animal lovers, and cruise passengers who want a safe half-day plan. It is especially good for anyone who wants a real chance to feed kangaroos rather than simply photograph them from a distance.

You will also like it if scenic drives appeal to you. The countryside views, the Penguin route, and the Leven River add variety to the park visit.

This is less suitable if you want a slow, highly guided wildlife tour. The park portion is self-guided, and the schedule can feel hurried. It is also not suitable for a wheelchair user who cannot walk onto the bus. Wheelchairs can be stored on the vehicles, but there is no wheelchair lift.

If you have limited mobility but can board the bus, contact the operator before booking and ask about the park’s paths and access conditions. The available information does not provide a full accessibility description.

Should you book Wings Wildlife Park from Burnie?

Book it if kangaroo feeding and Tasmanian wildlife are high on your list. The combination of close animal contact, a scenic countryside ride, and port-friendly timing gives you a lot for the fare.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may have only 90 minutes inside, paid encounters cost extra, and the meeting point requires attention. If you accept those limits and arrive with a plan, Wings Wildlife Park is one of the stronger short excursions from Burnie.

FAQ

How long does the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle last?

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

How much time do I get at Wings Wildlife Park?

The tour overview says about two hours, while the listed park stop states 1 hour 30 minutes. Confirm the exact schedule for your departure, and plan for a short visit.

What animals can I see at Wings Wildlife Park?

The park has more than 150 species, including kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, wombats, koalas, parrots, and smaller animals such as mice.

Can I feed the kangaroos?

Yes. You can enter the kangaroo enclosure and feed the animals by hand. Kangaroo food is available for an additional purchase.

Are koala encounters included in the ticket?

No. Koala interactions cost extra and are arranged at the park, subject to availability.

Can I hold or cuddle a baby Tasmanian devil?

A baby Tasmanian devil encounter may be available for an additional fee. One reported price was about US$40, but fees can change.

Is a guide included?

The transportation portion has a guide or driver. Some departures use live commentary, while others may include recorded information. Your time at Wings Wildlife Park is self-guided.

Where does the tour meet in Burnie?

The stated meeting point is 13 Wilmot Street, Burnie, Tasmania 7320. The tour company uses a table across the market area.

Is the excursion wheelchair accessible?

The buses do not have a wheelchair lift. Wheelchairs can be stored on the vehicles, but passengers must be able to walk onto the bus.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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