Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

A baby Tasmanian devil in your arms, a koala close enough to pet, and kangaroos wandering around your feet: that is the appeal of Wings Wildlife Park. The trip also gives you a fine look at rural Tasmania, with a scenic inland drive and a return route through Penguin and along the Leven River.

I like the easy port-to-park format and the chance to walk into the kangaroo enclosure. I also like that the entry fee, transportation, and guide or driver are included in one price. The main concern is time: the tour promises about two hours at the park, but another itinerary detail lists 90 minutes, and one report describes only 80 minutes on site.

Key things to know before you book

• Kangaroo feeding is the star attraction: You can buy food and walk among kangaroos and wallabies in an open enclosure.
• Tasmanian devil encounters cost extra: Special experiences with a baby devil or koala may be available for an additional fee.
• The drive is part of the tour: Expect about 45 minutes each way, with countryside views, small towns, mountains, valleys, and the coast near Penguin.
• Your park visit is self guided: The bus has a guide or driver, but you explore Wings at your own pace.
• Timing needs attention: The total outing lasts about 3 hours 50 minutes, but the exact time inside the park may vary.
• Wheelchair access is limited: The vehicle has no wheelchair lift, and you must be able to walk onto the bus.

The best reason to go: real contact with Tasmanian animals

Wings Wildlife Park is not simply a place to look through a fence. Its kangaroo area lets you enter the enclosure, offer food, and watch the animals move around you. For many people, this becomes the most memorable part of the day.

You can also see Tasmanian devils, wallabies, wombats, koalas, parrots, cockatoos, birds, and smaller animals. The park has more than 150 species, so you will want to pace yourself rather than spend the whole visit in the first enclosure.

The Tasmanian devils are especially important. These animals are one of Tasmania’s best-known native species, and the park uses its animal collection to explain conservation and care for injured or orphaned wildlife. A devil feeding can be an intense sight, since the animals tear into their food with surprising force. It is fascinating, but younger children or anyone sensitive to graphic animal feeding may prefer to watch from a little distance.

The Burnie departure and scenic inland ride

The meeting point is at 13 Wilmot Street in Burnie. The exact arrangement is worth checking carefully on the day, since the departure area can be busy with several tour companies. A useful tip is to look across the market area for the tour company table rather than stopping at the first operator you see.

Once you are aboard, the drive becomes part of the experience. The ride inland takes roughly 45 minutes, and the countryside becomes more attractive as you move away from Burnie. You may see mountain views, valleys, farms, and small Tasmanian towns along the way.

The return route is also scenic. It travels through the coastal village of Penguin and follows the Leven River. This is not a guided sightseeing tour with long stops, so think of the views as a pleasant extra rather than the main event. Still, the drive adds real value to an outing that might otherwise feel like a simple transfer to a wildlife park.

A recorded narration or live commentary may be provided on the bus. One guide, Marie, was praised for being friendly and well informed, and another excursion had a local volunteer sharing facts during the ride. Audio quality can vary, especially toward the back of a full vehicle, so sit near the front if the countryside commentary matters to you.

Two hours at Wings Wildlife Park, with an important timing note

The tour description says you have two hours at Wings. The stop details, however, list 1 hour 30 minutes, and one booking had only about 1 hour 20 minutes in the park. That difference matters.

Ninety minutes is enough to see many of the main enclosures and feed kangaroos, but it is not enough for a leisurely visit with every animal encounter. If you want a koala experience, a baby Tasmanian devil encounter, lunch, photos, and a complete walk around the grounds, the schedule may feel tight.

I would treat the advertised time as an upper limit, not a guarantee. Ask the driver when you arrive how long you have before returning to the bus. Keep an eye on the time yourself, since the park is spread out and it is easy to linger in the kangaroo area.

The park grounds include landscaped paths and a lakeside setting. You can walk at your own pace, stop for photographs, and visit the café or souvenir shop. Since this is a self-guided visit, you are not tied to a group lecture or a set walking route.

Kangaroos, wallabies, and the park’s most personal encounter

The kangaroo enclosure is the clear highlight for many people. You can purchase food and feed the animals by hand. Some kangaroos may come close, while others may be less interested. That unpredictability is part of the fun, but you should follow the park’s instructions and avoid forcing contact.

Wallabies share some of the same appeal, though they can be smaller and more cautious. Walking among them gives you a better sense of their size and movement than seeing them behind a barrier. Bring your camera, but keep one hand free for food and remember that the animals may move quickly.

The park also has friendly birds, including a gang-gang cockatoo that may approach visitors. Parrots add color and sound to the visit, and they give you something to see while you move between the larger animal areas.

If you have always wanted to touch a koala, ask about the paid koala encounter as soon as you arrive. One special koala named Blinky Bill was awake during an encounter, which made the experience more rewarding than simply seeing a sleepy koala high in a tree. Animal availability and behavior can change, so no close encounter should be treated as guaranteed.

Tasmanian devils and conservation work

The park’s Tasmanian devils give the visit a strong sense of place. You are not seeing a generic collection of Australian animals. You are meeting a species closely tied to Tasmania and learning about the challenges faced by native wildlife.

Staff presentations help explain the animals and the park’s conservation efforts. The level of commentary can vary by visit, but the basic format lets you combine independent exploring with short talks or animal presentations.

Paid encounters with a baby Tasmanian devil may be available. These can be memorable, especially if seeing devils is your main reason for booking. The extra charge is separate from the tour price, so plan for an additional cost if you want more than standard admission.

The adult devil feeding can be more dramatic than cuddly. You may see the animals tearing apart meat, which some people find thrilling and others find unpleasant. If you prefer gentle animal contact, focus your time on the kangaroos, wallabies, koala area, and birds.

Café, souvenir shop, and a practical break

You can buy Tasmanian food at the on-site café. With a short visit, I would not plan a long meal unless you have already seen the animal areas you care about. A quick snack or drink makes more sense if you want to keep moving.

The souvenir shop offers Tasmanian gifts and gives you a chance to pick up something tied to the visit. Remember that browsing takes time. If you want both a meal and shopping, ask the driver how much time remains before you leave.

A lakeside picnic area adds another option. It is a pleasant place to pause, but the limited stop means you may have to choose between relaxing outdoors and seeing more animals.

What the $89.66 price includes

At $89.66 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours in Burnie, but the value is reasonable if you want a simple shore excursion with wildlife and transport handled together.

The price includes the shuttle from the Burnie meeting point, the return ride, admission to Wings Wildlife Park, and a guide or driver for the journey. You are also paying for the scenic drive, which would be harder to arrange independently during a cruise call.

The extra-cost animal encounters are the main budget warning. Koala contact and baby Tasmanian devil experiences may cost about $40 US per encounter, based on the available booking information. Kangaroo food also costs extra.

This tour makes more financial sense for you if you want close animal contact and do not want to arrange transport on your own. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long, quiet visit, a full meal, or time to see every enclosure. The park admission and drive are useful inclusions, but the short stop limits how much value you can draw from them.

Cruise timing, weather, and the return to Burnie

The entire outing lasts about 3 hours 50 minutes, including driving time. The operator aims to return you to the meeting point in Burnie, and on some departures the bus has taken visitors directly back to the ship.

Because this is a shore excursion, the return timing matters more than on an ordinary day trip. The company has adjusted departure times when a ship arrived late, which is helpful. Still, confirm the exact meeting instructions and return plan when you arrive.

Burnie can be affected by strong winds. A ship may be unable to dock, and if that happens, the park trip cannot operate. The operator has refunded a canceled booking in this situation, but bad weather can still spoil the plan. Keep a backup idea for Burnie if the forecast looks rough.

The stated cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that period are not refunded.

Who should book this Burnie excursion?

I would choose this outing if you want a convenient introduction to Tasmanian wildlife, especially kangaroos and devils. It suits families, first-time visitors to Australia, animal lovers, and cruise passengers who want a trip that combines wildlife with countryside views.

It is also a good fit if you prefer to explore at your own pace. You are not locked into a long walking tour inside the park, and you can decide whether to focus on kangaroos, devils, koalas, birds, the café, or the grounds.

I would think twice if you need a wheelchair lift. The bus can store wheelchairs, but it does not have a lift, and you must be able to walk onto the vehicle. Contact the operator before booking if mobility is a concern.

I would also hesitate if your top priority is an unhurried visit. The difference between two hours and 90 minutes is significant here. If you book, arrive ready to move, and ask about the precise time available at the park.

Final verdict: a strong wildlife choice with a tight schedule

This is one of the better ways to use a short Burnie port call. The kangaroo enclosure, Tasmanian devils, koalas, and scenic drive give you a genuine taste of northern Tasmania without the work of arranging a rental car or private transfer.

The experience is not perfect. The schedule can be unclear, paid encounters raise the final cost, and wheelchair access is limited. But if you value convenience and want a close look at Australian animals, I would book it, especially in advance when cruise-day spaces may fill.

Go for the kangaroos first, ask immediately about koala or baby devil encounters, and save enough time to see the Tasmanian devils before returning to the bus.

FAQ

Where does the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle meet in Burnie?

The meeting point is 13 Wilmot Street, Burnie, Tasmania 7320. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the full excursion last?

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

How much time do I get at Wings Wildlife Park?

The description says about two hours, but the stop details list 1 hour 30 minutes. Since one departure allowed about 1 hour 20 minutes, confirm the exact park time with the driver on the day.

Are koala and Tasmanian devil encounters included?

No. Special encounters with a koala or baby Tasmanian devil require an additional fee. Kangaroo food is also purchased separately.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The vehicles can store wheelchairs, but they do not have a wheelchair lift. You must be able to walk onto the bus.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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