ballarat wildlife park, ballarat east
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If you have an animal lover and face it most kids are - this is an excellent place to get up close with some of Australia's most loved animals. There are 100 Kangaroos that literally 'hop' free, as do the emu's. You can see lots of snakes and reptiles including crocodiles, Tassie devils, wedge tailed eagles, koalas and wombats.
Mamma loves how you can purchase Kangaroo feed as you come in the door and then feed the kangaroos spotting joeys in pouches and watch them lazing around the parks grounds - they are so content you can pat them too!
There are animal talks and encounters (for an additional fee) and we loved our Koala time. Check at the front for the times throughout the day. There is also a cafe plus lots of spots for family picnics throughout the park and just hang out - there’s even a sandpit by the little penguins for the kids to play!
One of our highlights is the show stealing CRUNCH the crocodile. He is positively prehistoric and so huge it's hard to believe he's even real - each Sunday Crunch the croc is fed at 3pm, a slightly scary sight as he launches out of the water to grab his tucker... eeek, look out keeper!
The more recent addition to the park is the Tiger Sanctuary. Home to two Sumatran tigers - Maneki and Satu - these majestic beasts love to lounge around and have a beautiful new home.
the nitty gritty
Corner of York & Fussell Streets,
Ballarat East
Monday - Sunday
9am-5pm
Closed Christmas Day
Animal encounters, like this one with a Koala, can be booked in advance here.
Mamma's special mention:
Ballarat is awesome and if you feel like staying overnight and taking in some more of the sights, check out Quest Ballarat Station. And for animal adventures of a different kind, check out Tuki Trout Farm!
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