Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

The best part of this Burnie shore excursion is the chance to walk among kangaroos and wallabies, then see Tasmanian devils, koalas, wombats, parrots, and other native animals in one well-organized stop. The drive inland is part of the treat, with pretty countryside and a return route beside the Leven River through Penguin.

I like the ship-friendly transport and the freedom to explore Wings Wildlife Park at your own pace. I also like that the park offers extra animal encounters, including koala contact and time with a baby Tasmanian devil. The main caution is time: the excursion allows about two hours at the park, while one published itinerary detail lists 1 hour 30 minutes, and one visitor had only 1 hour 20 minutes.

Key points at a glance

• Kangaroo enclosure: Buy food and walk among kangaroos and wallabies in an open enclosure.
• Tasmanian devils: See these famous local animals up close, with optional paid encounters available.
• Scenic bus route: The trip runs inland and returns by the Leven River, passing coastal Penguin.
• Self-guided park visit: A guide or driver handles the transport, but your time inside Wings is your own.
• Optional animal contact: Koala and baby Tasmanian devil encounters cost extra and may need to be arranged at the park.
• Important access note: The bus has no wheelchair lift. You must be able to walk onto the bus.

Why Wings Wildlife Park makes sense from Burnie

Burnie is a useful port for seeing a slice of northern Tasmania, but the best wildlife attractions are outside town. Wings Wildlife Park gives you a straightforward way to reach native animals without trying to arrange a taxi, rental car, or complicated public transport connection during a short port call.

The excursion lasts about 3 hours 50 minutes, including the drive. The listed price is $89.66 per person. That is not a bargain-basement bus ride, but it covers transport from the Burnie meeting point, park admission, and a return designed around the ship schedule. For a port day, that convenience matters.

You meet at 13 Wilmot Street in Burnie, then return to the same meeting point. In some cases, the bus has taken passengers directly back to the ship, which is an especially useful bonus, but you should confirm the exact return arrangement for your sailing.

The transport is guided, while the park visit is self-guided. That combination suits you if you want some context on the way but do not want to spend your whole visit in a fixed group. A local guide named Marie received particular praise for her friendly commentary, and another bus included a volunteer narrator sharing facts during the ride.

The drive inland is part of the attraction

Do not think of the bus ride as dead time. The route inland gives you a look at Tasmania beyond the port, with open countryside, small towns, valleys, and mountain views. Several sections are especially pretty during the final 15 to 20 minutes before reaching the park.

The return route follows the beautiful Leven River and passes through Penguin, a coastal village with a distinctly Tasmanian feel. You may not have time to stop and explore Penguin, but seeing the road and settlements from the bus gives the excursion more character than a simple direct transfer.

The ride takes around 45 minutes each way, according to the experience details and individual accounts. That is long enough for scenery and commentary, but short enough to leave most of your outing for the animals.

One practical point: seating can affect how much you hear. A microphone problem once made it hard for people at the back to hear the guide. If the bus is full, sit near the front if commentary matters to you. The maximum group size is 50, so this is not a private wildlife outing.

Entering Wings Wildlife Park

Wings Wildlife Park is home to more than 150 animal species. The setting includes landscaped grounds, a lake, animal enclosures, and picnic areas. It feels more like a wildlife park and animal sanctuary than a quick photo stop.

The variety is a major strength. You can see Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, parrots, cockatoos, birds, and smaller animals. The park also cares for injured and orphaned animals, which gives the visit a useful conservation angle rather than making it only about entertainment.

Your time inside is self-guided. You can move at your own pace, choose the animals that interest you most, and stop for photos. Staff presentations add useful background on native species and the challenges they face.

The grounds have been described as clean and well maintained. Enclosures are active rather than empty, and the animals provide plenty to see even without paying for an extra encounter. Still, you should not expect to cover every corner slowly if your bus schedule allows only 90 minutes.

The kangaroo enclosure is the star

For many people, the kangaroo area is the most memorable part of the day. You can buy food and enter an open enclosure where kangaroos and wallabies move around you. This is a more direct experience than viewing animals from behind a barrier.

The setting is a tree-filled area, and the animals are close enough for good photographs. You may be able to feed and gently pet them, following the park’s directions. A friendly gang-gang cockatoo has also been known to approach visitors, adding an unexpected bird encounter to the stop.

I would make the kangaroos your first priority after entering. Animal encounters may have limited availability, and the enclosure is one place where time can disappear quickly. If you have children, this is likely to be their favorite area. If you prefer quiet observation, you can simply watch the animals without buying food.

Remember that these are living animals, not photo props. Follow staff instructions, avoid sudden movements, and do not assume every animal wants contact.

Tasmanian devils, wombats, and native birds

Tasmanian devils are the reason many people choose this excursion. They are powerful, unusual animals, and seeing one close up gives you a better sense of their size and behavior than a photograph can.

A scheduled presentation may explain the devils and their conservation needs. Feeding time can be graphic, since the animals tear into meat. If you are sensitive to that, stand back or skip the feeding display. If you are curious about wildlife behavior, it is one of the more memorable parts of the visit.

The park also offers the chance to see wombats, wallabies, koalas, parrots, cockatoos, and other birds. The range means you are not depending on one enclosure to make the trip worthwhile.

Koalas can be asleep, as is normal for the species. One particularly memorable encounter involved a koala called Blinky Bill, who happened to be awake for photographs and petting. You should treat that as a lucky moment rather than an expectation. The animal’s condition and daily routine come first.

Optional animal encounters cost extra

The standard admission gives you plenty to see, but Wings also offers paid encounters. Koala contact and baby Tasmanian devil experiences have been available for an additional fee, with one listed example costing about $40 US per encounter.

These options can be special, especially if seeing a Tasmanian devil is your main reason for booking. Some visitors were able to arrange an encounter after arriving, while others booked one during the park visit. If you want a particular encounter, ask about availability as soon as you arrive.

The extra cost changes the value calculation. At $89.66, the base excursion is already paying for the ride, admission, and port-day convenience. Add-on encounters can make the day expensive, but they may be worthwhile for a serious wildlife fan or for a once-only visit to Tasmania.

Do not feel that you need to buy an encounter to enjoy the park. The kangaroo enclosure, devil viewing, birds, wombats, and other animals provide a full visit without it.

How much time do you really get?

The overview promises about two hours at Wings Wildlife Park. A separate itinerary detail lists 1 hour 30 minutes, and one account described receiving only 1 hour 20 minutes. That difference matters.

With 90 minutes, you can see the main areas, feed kangaroos, watch a devil presentation, and take a few photographs. You will need to keep moving and choose priorities.

With two hours, the visit feels much more comfortable. You can add a paid encounter, spend longer with the kangaroos, browse the grounds, and stop at the café or shop without racing back to the bus.

I would plan your visit in this order:

• Check the timing and book an optional encounter if you want one.
• Go to the kangaroo and wallaby enclosure.
• See the Tasmanian devils and any scheduled presentation.
• Visit koalas, wombats, birds, and smaller animals.
• Leave time for the café, souvenir shop, and return to the bus.

The total schedule includes travel time, so you are not getting nearly four hours inside the park. Keep your watch visible and follow the driver’s departure instructions.

Café, souvenirs, and the wider park

The on-site café serves Tasmanian delicacies, giving you a chance to try local food without adding another stop to the day. The details of the menu are not specified, so I would treat it as a useful option rather than the main reason to book.

There is also a souvenir shop with Tasmanian gifts. This is handy if you want a small reminder of the visit but do not have time to shop in Burnie.

The park includes a lakeside picnic setting and landscaped walking areas. These spaces help break up the animal viewing, especially if you want a quieter pause after the bus ride. They also give photographers more than close-up animal shots, with gardens, water, and surrounding scenery.

Price, value, and group size

At $89.66 per person, this is best judged as a shore excursion package, not as a park admission ticket. You are paying for a return transfer, a guide or driver, park entry, and a schedule intended to get you back for departure.

The value is strongest when you want certainty. Organizing your own transport could be cheaper in some circumstances, but a missed ship is a very expensive mistake. This shuttle removes much of that worry.

The value is weaker if you want a long, slow wildlife visit. A private car or a longer independent trip would give you more control, assuming you can arrange reliable transport. You also need to budget separately for animal encounters, kangaroo food, café purchases, and souvenirs.

The group can reach up to 50 people. That keeps the price below a private tour, but it can make the meeting point and boarding process busy. At 13 Wilmot Street, look for the tour company’s table across the market area. One passenger found another operator at the meeting point who did not recognize the booking, so do not simply ask the first company representative you see.

The excursion has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 34 ratings, with 94 percent recommending it. That matches the basic strengths: scenic transport, a good selection of animals, and strong hands-on opportunities.

Accessibility and practical limits

Accessibility needs careful attention. The vehicle can store wheelchairs, but it does not have a wheelchair lift. You must be able to walk onto the bus. A person who cannot walk onto a bus should not book this excursion.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation, but the park visit involves walking around outdoor grounds. If you use a walking aid, ask the operator about the specific vehicle and conditions before paying.

The tour is free to cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Cut-off times use Burnie local time.

Weather also matters. High winds can prevent a cruise ship from docking in Burnie, in which case the excursion cannot run for you. That is a port risk rather than a fault with the park, but it is worth remembering when planning your day.

Who should book this Burnie excursion?

I would choose this trip if you want to see iconic Tasmanian animals without spending your port call arranging transport. It is especially good for families, first-time visitors to Tasmania, animal lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants to feed kangaroos.

It also suits you if you enjoy scenery as much as the destination. The ride through the countryside, the Leven River route, and the passage through Penguin add useful local context.

I would hesitate if you need full wheelchair access, dislike group transport, or want several hours at the park. I would also be cautious if your main goal is a long koala or devil encounter and you cannot confirm availability in advance.

Should you book Wings Wildlife Park from Burnie?

Yes, if your priorities are native Australian animals, easy port transport, and a flexible self-guided visit. The kangaroo enclosure is the strongest reason to go, while the Tasmanian devils and optional encounters add real appeal.

Before booking, confirm the exact time at the park, the meeting table at 13 Wilmot Street, the return arrangement to your ship, and whether the bus can meet your mobility needs. If you can accept a relatively short visit and possible group-size quirks, this is a good-value way to spend a Burnie port day.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

It starts at 13 Wilmot Street, Burnie, Tasmania. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The total duration is approximately 3 hours 50 minutes, including travel time.

How long do I spend at Wings Wildlife Park?

The tour overview allows about two hours at the park, while a separate itinerary detail lists 1 hour 30 minutes. Confirm the exact schedule before departure.

What animals can I see?

You can see Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, parrots, cockatoos, and other animals. Wings Wildlife Park has more than 150 species.

Are animal encounters included?

Standard admission is included, but koala and baby Tasmanian devil encounters cost extra. Kangaroo food is also available for purchase.

Is the visit guided inside the park?

The transport has a guide or driver, but your time at Wings Wildlife Park is self-guided.

Can wheelchair users join the excursion?

The bus can store wheelchairs, but it has no wheelchair lift. You must be able to walk onto the bus.

What is the cancellation policy?

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