Wildlife and gardens in one tidy cruise day. This Burnie shore excursion mixes scenery, a wildlife park, and a couple of great view stops so you get a full Tasmania hit without stressing about schedules. It runs about 5 hours and is built for cruise passengers, with help keeping you on time.

What I like most is the value. Both the Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens and Wings Wildlife Park have admission included, so you’re not doing mental math at every gate. And the day feels guided by real people—one guest even highlighted Howard, and another praised David for making the stops feel informative (not just rushed).

One thing to consider: time is tight by design. You’ve got about 30 minutes in the gardens and around 1 hour 30 minutes at the wildlife park, so go in with a photo plan and don’t expect long wandering hikes.

Quick hits before you go

• Two admission stops included: Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens + Wings Wildlife Park
• Wildlife you can actually see: kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and more
• Chance to spot platypuses during the Emu Valley gardens visit
• View stops with named lookouts: George Woodhouse Lookout and Upper Burnie Lookout
• Cruise-first timing, plus a back-up vehicle if ships run late

Getting to Burnie’s meeting point and staying on schedule

The tour starts at 13 Wilmot St, Burnie TAS 7320 and returns you back there. That matters on a cruise day, because you don’t want a long transfer just to get to the fun parts.

You’ll use a mobile ticket, which is simple if you’ve been juggling phone battery and cruise-day Wi-Fi. The group stays small enough to feel personal—up to 50 travelers—but big enough that you’re not waiting forever for everyone to find the right seat.

The biggest practical win is the cruise-friendly promise. Starting times might shift depending on your ship’s schedule, and the operator says they’ll adjust timing so everyone can reach them. They also note they’ll get you back on time and have a backup vehicle. In plain terms: they’re thinking about the real problem—your ship’s departure time.

Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens: 11 hectares of plant life and bird sounds

This is the first big stop: Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens, about 20 minutes from Burnie. The gardens cover 11 hectares, so even on a shorter visit you can find moments that feel like a world away from the harbor.

Expect a walk under tall trees (including eucalypts), with ferns and lush plant growth overhead. The rhododendrons are the headline, but the best part is how the garden changes as you move—colors, leaf textures, and the way birds pop up in the background.

You’ll get about 30 minutes here, and that’s enough time to do a pleasant loop, stop for a few photos, and still keep the day flowing. If you’re tempted to sprint through, try slowing down for just a couple of key points. A quick stop to watch the birds for a minute or two often feels better than collecting ten blurry photos.

One extra reason this stop is popular: there’s a chance of spotting wild platypuses around the area. No guarantees are stated, so don’t plan your happiness around it. But if you’ve always wanted to see a platypus in the wild, this is the kind of opportunity you don’t get in most day trips.

Wings Wildlife Park: kangaroos, devils, koalas, and conservation talk

Next you move to Wings Wildlife Park, where you’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes to explore at your own pace. This isn’t just a walk-past zoo moment. The park experience is set up to help you understand what animals need to stay safe in Tasmania—through care, breeding programs, and habitat work.

You can expect to see several iconic species, including kangaroos and koalas, plus wombats. Tasmania lovers usually zero in on the Tasmanian devils, which are often the most memorable animals in the park for sheer personality and presence. Guests also mention seeing echidnas, and that fits the kind of animal variety this stop aims for.

A nice detail: there’s room for interaction. The operator notes optional animal encounters can be arranged on arrival, so if you want a more hands-on moment, you can ask when you get there—no extra planning required before you arrive.

What I think makes Wings work well on a cruise day is the pacing. You get enough time to see the main animals, and the park format keeps things moving without forcing you into a rigid schedule. If you’re traveling with kids, it tends to hold attention. If you’re traveling solo, it’s still structured enough to feel worthwhile even if you only have one shore day in Tasmania.

George Woodhouse Lookout and the coast: where the views do the talking

Between the garden and wildlife stops, the tour includes scenic driving inland and along the coastline. You’ll head to George Woodhouse Lookout for views, then later return past the coast on the way back.

This part of the day is where you get that Tasmania feeling beyond wildlife cages and garden paths. You’re seeing why Burnie works as a base: the coastline, the hills, and the way the landscape opens up once you’re at a lookout.

There’s also a mention of waterfalls as part of the scenery program, and the tour includes photo opportunities. You won’t be signing up for a long hike here. Instead, you get quick “stop and look” moments that are perfect if you’d rather preserve your energy for the gardens and wildlife.

You finish with another view stop at Upper Burnie Lookout before returning to the meeting point. That last lookout is smart. It helps you end the day with photos and a calmer moment, rather than rushing straight back to the ship feeling like the day disappeared.

How the timing works in real life (5 hours, 5 hours 15 total)

The tour is listed at about 5 hours, but the total time is closer to 5 hours 15 minutes when you include travel between stops. On a cruise day, that’s a useful range to understand. You’re not getting eight hours of stops—you’re getting a tight, curated mix.

Here’s the practical way to think about it:

• 30 minutes at Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens means you should focus on the paths that interest you most.
• 1.5 hours at Wings Wildlife Park means you can do both viewing and optional extra encounters if you choose them.
• The rest is driving and short view/photo stops, including lookouts and scenery.

If your ship is early leaving, the schedule may be adjusted. The operator is explicit that starting times could change depending on ships, and they’ll advise you on the correct time. So treat the confirmation details as your source of truth for your exact pickup window.

Also, don’t assume you can do this tour at a leisurely pace like a land vacation. This is built for a single shore window. The smartest move is to set expectations: you’re collecting highlights, not completing a full-day backpacking adventure.

Price and value: what $143.45 covers (and why it feels fair)

At $143.45 per person, this isn’t the cheapest shore option—but it also isn’t padded. The big reason it feels fair is that admission is included for both major stops: the Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens and Wings Wildlife Park.

So you’re essentially paying for:

• transport and guiding through multiple stops,
• entry into both paid attractions,
• and the timed structure that keeps you cruise-ready.

Many shore excursions with a similar duration charge separately for park entry. Here, you’re not eating those extra costs on the fly, which reduces stress—especially when you’re trying to make the ship departure without last-minute surprises.

Group size helps too. With a maximum of 50 travelers, the day still feels organized, but it’s not so tiny that you’re stuck waiting for others to decide where to stand for photos.

One more small note: alcohol is only served to those over 18. The tour info doesn’t say you must buy drinks, but if it’s offered on board, at least you know the policy.

Best fit: who will love this tour in Burnie

This is a strong match if you want a balanced wildlife-and-nature day without planning your own route across Tasmania. If your goal is to see iconic animals and enjoy a couple of different outdoor settings—gardens, lookouts, and scenic drives—this package does a nice job of mixing it up.

I think it suits:

• cruise passengers with only a short window in Burnie,
• nature lovers who want wildlife plus views,
• families who want a simple schedule with clear “what’s next” energy.

It may not suit you if you’re the type who needs long, slow time in one place. With 30 minutes in the gardens and 1 hour 30 minutes in the wildlife park, you’ll feel the clock. This tour is built to cover highlights efficiently.

Also, if you’re chasing a single target—like only platypuses, only koalas, or only waterfalls—this might feel slightly broad. You’ll see a lot, but it’s not a specialized, all-day single-theme expedition.

Should you book the Burnie Shore Excursion?

If you’ve got one cruise day in Burnie and you want the best odds of seeing multiple Tasmania highlights—paid attractions included, plus wildlife and lookouts—this is a book-worthy choice. The cruise-first timing, the stated backup plan, and the clear stop structure are exactly what you want when the ship leaves whether you’re ready or not.

My advice for deciding is simple:

• If you want variety in one day (gardens + wildlife + views), book it.
• If you want hours and hours of unstructured exploring, look for something longer and more flexible.
• If platypuses are your big dream, come with hope, not certainty—but do enjoy the gardens regardless.

Bottom line: this tour is built to make your limited time count, without turning your day into a frantic checklist. For many people, that’s the whole point of a shore excursion.

FAQ

How long is the Burnie shore excursion?

The tour runs for about 5 hours, with total time listed as around 5 hours 15 minutes including travel between stops.

Where does the tour start in Burnie?

The meeting point is 13 Wilmot St, Burnie TAS 7320, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What is the tour price per person?

The price is $143.45 per person.

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. Admission is included for Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens and Wings Wildlife Park.

Is there a chance to see platypuses?

There is a chance to spot wild platypuses during the Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens stop.

How long do you spend at the gardens and the wildlife park?

You get about 30 minutes at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens and about 1 hour 30 minutes at Wings Wildlife Park.

What kinds of animals might you see at Wings Wildlife Park?

You can expect to see animals such as kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, koalas, and wombats (and optional encounters may be available on arrival).

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 50 travelers.

Does the tour serve alcohol?

Alcohol is only served to guests over 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund, and how early?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the payment is not refunded.