Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

Tasmanian wildlife is the star here. The Wings Wildlife Park shuttle combines a scenic inland drive with close views of kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, koalas, wombats, parrots, and more. I especially like the chance to walk among kangaroos and the easy port-to-park transport, which takes the guesswork out of a short cruise stop. The main drawback is time: the visit is advertised at about two hours, but some departures have allowed closer to 90 minutes or less.

I also like that the ride is part of the experience, with countryside views, the Leven River, and a return route through Penguin. The park is self-guided, so you can set your own pace, but paid animal encounters cost extra and the bus schedule leaves little room for delays.

Key points to know before booking

• Walk among feeding kangaroos: The open kangaroo area is the most praised part of the visit, with food available for purchase.
• See more than 150 species: Tasmanian devils, wombats, wallabies, koalas, birds, and smaller native animals are all part of the park’s collection.
• Enjoy a scenic Burnie drive: The route heads inland and returns along the Leven River, passing Penguin and rural Tasmania.
• Plan for a self-guided visit: A guide or driver handles the transport, while you explore Wings Wildlife Park on your own.
• Allow for extra encounter fees: Koala and baby Tasmanian devil experiences are optional and cost more than admission.
• Confirm mobility needs carefully: Guests must be able to walk onto the bus. Wheelchairs can be stored, but the vehicles do not have a lift.

Why this Burnie shore excursion works well

Burnie is a port where a good shore excursion needs to be practical. You have a fixed sailing time, limited hours ashore, and no interest in gambling with an unfamiliar taxi or complicated public transport connection. This shuttle addresses that problem directly, taking you from the meeting point at 13 Wilmot Street to Wings Wildlife Park and back again.

The full outing lasts about 3 hours and 50 minutes, including transport. The drive to the park takes roughly 45 minutes, depending on conditions. That may sound like a lot of bus time for a short visit, but the ride is not dead time. The route offers views of Tasmania’s countryside, small towns, valleys, and mountains, with particularly attractive scenery during the final stretch toward the park.

I like this balance. You get a taste of rural Tasmania instead of seeing only an animal collection behind city walls. On the return, the route follows the Leven River and passes through Penguin, a coastal village that adds a little local character to the trip.

The transport is guided, but the park portion is self-guided. A local narrator may share facts during the ride, and one particularly well-regarded guide was Marie, who was described as friendly and well informed. Another excursion used a volunteer narrator on the bus. The quality may vary by departure, but the format gives you useful context without forcing you into a long group walk.

Meeting at 13 Wilmot Street in Burnie

The meeting point is 13 Wilmot Street, and the excursion ends there unless the operator arranges a direct return to your ship. The meeting area can be confusing because more than one tour company may be working near the market.

A useful tip is to walk across the market area to the other side and look for the tour company’s table. One party went first to another operator and was told the company was unknown, even though the correct table was nearby. Give yourself enough time to locate the right staff member rather than arriving at the last minute.

The shuttle can carry up to 50 people. That is a fairly large group, so you should expect a coach-style outing rather than a private wildlife tour. The upside is a lower price and straightforward coordination. The tradeoff is that boarding, head counts, and return timing can take a little time.

The operator has adjusted departure times when a ship arrived late, which is helpful on a cruise stop. Still, you should follow the instructions given for your particular sailing and avoid planning anything tight afterward.

The 45-minute drive into Tasmania

The road inland is one of the pleasant surprises of this experience. You leave Burnie behind and move through a greener, quieter part of the state. The scenery changes gradually, with rural views, wooded stretches, valleys, and small communities.

The drive matters because Wings Wildlife Park is not just around the corner. If you want only a quick animal stop, the transport time may feel long. If you want to see a bit of Tasmania beyond the port, the trip makes much more sense.

The return route adds variety. Instead of simply retracing the same road, the bus travels along the Leven River and through Penguin. Several people considered the countryside views almost worth the price by themselves. I would not book this solely as a sightseeing drive, since the main purpose is the wildlife park, but the scenery makes the transfer feel like part of the day.

A guide or recorded narration may provide information during the ride. One departure had a microphone problem, so passengers at the back could not hear everything. If you care about the commentary, sitting closer to the front may be sensible.

Two hours with kangaroos, devils, and birds

Wings Wildlife Park has more than 150 species, giving you a broad look at Australian and Tasmanian animals in one place. The park’s setting includes landscaped grounds and a lakeside area, with space to wander rather than simply moving from one indoor exhibit to another.

The kangaroo enclosure is the clear highlight. You can enter the area, walk among the animals, and buy food to feed them by hand. This is more personal than watching kangaroos across a distant field. You may see them resting, hopping about, or approaching visitors for food.

The experience is especially appealing for families and for anyone who wants a strong first encounter with Australian wildlife. You should still remember that these are animals, not toys. Follow staff directions, keep food controlled, and give the animals room when they move away.

Tasmanian devils are another major reason to visit. You can see them at close range, and scheduled presentations may explain their behavior and the challenges facing the species. One account described watching devils tear into meat as fascinating but rather graphic. If you prefer gentle animal encounters, you may want to skip feeding demonstrations. If you want to understand the animals as they really are, the sight can be memorable.

The park also includes wombats, wallabies, koalas, parrots, cockatoos, fish, mice, and other creatures. A friendly gang-gang cockatoo received special praise for approaching people. The range is useful because you are not relying on one animal exhibit to carry the entire visit.

The grounds are described as clean and well kept, and the animals appear lively and cared for. Wings also takes in injured and orphaned animals, giving the visit an added conservation purpose. That does not turn the park into a wilderness encounter, but it does give you a clearer understanding of why facilities like this can matter in Tasmania.

Optional koala and Tasmanian devil encounters

The standard visit already includes plenty to see, but Wings offers paid animal interactions. Options may include petting a koala or spending time with a baby Tasmanian devil. One person described holding a baby devil, while another paid for a koala interaction and was able to pet Blinky Bill and take photographs.

These experiences can be the emotional high point of the day, especially if you have always wanted to touch a koala. One reported extra cost was about 40 US dollars per encounter, though you should confirm the current price and availability before relying on that figure.

The practical issue is timing. You may need to arrange an encounter after arriving, and the number of available slots can be limited. If this is your main reason for booking, ask the staff about it as soon as you enter the park. Do not assume the base price includes a koala or devil encounter.

Animal behavior also affects the experience. A koala may be sleepy, and one lucky visit found Blinky Bill awake. A baby animal may not be available every day. Enjoy the opportunity, but keep expectations flexible.

Is 90 minutes enough?

The advertised park visit is about two hours, while the stated stop duration is also shown as approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. That difference matters. Some departures have provided around 90 minutes, and one person reported receiving only 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Ninety minutes is enough to see the major animal areas and spend time with the kangaroos. It is not enough for a slow visit, every exhibit, a café stop, souvenir shopping, and several paid encounters. You will need to choose.

My suggested order is:

• Go first to the kangaroo enclosure.
• Check the Tasmanian devil area and any presentation times.
• Arrange optional encounters early.
• Use remaining time for koalas, wombats, birds, and the smaller animals.
• Leave café and shopping time until you know how much time remains.

If you love taking photographs or prefer a relaxed pace, the schedule may feel rushed. If you focus on two or three priorities, it should be satisfying. Feeding kangaroos is the safest bet for a memorable visit because it combines contact, movement, and a setting where you can spend a little time rather than simply taking one photograph.

Café, shop, and park atmosphere

The on-site café serves Tasmanian delicacies, giving you a chance to try local food without leaving the park. Because the visit is short, I would treat the café as optional rather than essential. A long meal could mean missing an animal area.

The souvenir shop carries Tasmanian gifts, which may be useful if you want something more distinctive than a standard port purchase. Again, plan it around your animal priorities. The park is pleasant to walk through, and a lakeside picnic area provides a quieter break if you have enough time.

The setting helps the visit feel less like a quick indoor attraction. You are moving through open grounds with trees, water, enclosures, and birds around you. That said, this is still a managed wildlife park, not a wild encounter in the Tasmanian bush. I would choose it for safe, close animal contact and conservation education, not for untouched nature.

Price, value, and who should book

At $89.66 per person, the excursion is not cheap, but the price includes return transport, the scenic drive, and admission to Wings Wildlife Park. For a cruise stop, that package has real value. You avoid arranging transport independently, and the operator is focused on getting you back in time for the ship.

The value is strongest if you want three things: Australian animals, easy port logistics, and a glimpse of the countryside. It is weaker if you want a long, unhurried park visit or a private guide.

The shuttle suits families, first-time visitors to Australia, animal lovers, and cruise passengers who prefer a planned return. It also works well for anyone who wants to see kangaroos at close range rather than merely spot them from a roadside.

Be cautious if you need guaranteed accessibility. The bus does not have a wheelchair lift, and passengers must be able to walk onto the vehicle. A wheelchair can be stored, but that does not make the excursion suitable for someone who cannot board without assistance. This limitation caused serious disappointment for one couple, and it should be confirmed before booking.

Weather is another practical concern. Strong winds can prevent a cruise ship from docking in Burnie at all. In that case, the excursion cannot operate, even if the park itself is open. The operator has been described as helpful in such circumstances, but the missed visit can still be disappointing.

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

Should you book the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle?

I would book this excursion if you want close animal contact and a simple way to use a Burnie port day. Feeding kangaroos and walking among them is the strongest part of the visit, while the Tasmanian devils, koalas, and birds add variety. The countryside drive gives you more than a standard zoo outing.

Go in with realistic timing. Aim for the kangaroos and devils first, treat koala or baby devil encounters as optional extras, and do not expect to see every corner of the park. If you need a wheelchair lift, require a very slow pace, or want a long guided wildlife lesson, choose another option.

For most cruise passengers who want an easy, good-value introduction to Tasmania’s animals, this is a sound choice. Book early if your sailing date is busy, and make sure you know exactly where to meet at 13 Wilmot Street.

FAQ

How long does the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle take?

The full experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, including travel time. The visit to Wings Wildlife Park is advertised as about two hours, although the stated stop duration is also listed as approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the excursion start and finish?

It starts at 13 Wilmot Street in Burnie, Tasmania, and normally ends back at the same meeting point.

Is admission to Wings Wildlife Park included?

Yes. Admission to the park is included in the excursion price.

Can I feed the kangaroos?

Yes. You can enter the kangaroo enclosure and buy food to feed them by hand.

Are koala and Tasmanian devil encounters included?

No. These are optional paid experiences. Availability and current prices should be confirmed at the park.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The bus can store wheelchairs, but it does not have a wheelchair lift. Passengers must be able to walk onto the bus.

What is the cancellation policy?

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