A short trip turns wild fast. This Burnie shore excursion pairs a timed port shuttle with a scenic inland ride to Wings Wildlife Park, then a return along the Leven River past Penguin. You get a set window at the park, plus hands-on chances with Australia’s animals and a quick stop for snacks and souvenirs.

I love how the day mixes iconic Tasmania wildlife with real conservation work, so it is not just sightseeing. The park is set up for up-close viewing, and the kangaroo feeding is a highlight that feels playful but still grounded in how the animals are cared for.

The main thing to know is that your time inside Wings is short (about 1.5 to 2 hours planned), so you’ll want to prioritize what you care about most, especially if you’re hoping to fit in extra paid encounters.

Key highlights

• Scenic inland drive plus return via the Leven River and Penguin
• About 1.5 hours on-site at Wings (enough for the big animals and the key areas)
• Hand-feeding kangaroos by walking into the enclosure
• Optional extra encounters like koala and baby Tasmanian devil interactions for an additional fee
• Conservation-focused park setting with education about native species
• Park layout that works well for photos and quick wandering (clean, well-kept grounds)

From Wilmot Street to Wings: the drive you’ll actually remember

This excursion starts at 13 Wilmot St, Burnie TAS 7320. The shuttle is designed for cruise timing, so you’re not left figuring out local transport while your ship waits. With a maximum group size of 50, you should get a more manageable bus experience than some big day tours.

The ride itself is a big part of the appeal. You go inland first on a scenic route, then head back along the Leven River. On the return, you pass through the coastal village of Penguin, which gives you an extra layer of variety beyond just the wildlife stop.

A couple practical points that help you enjoy the ride:

• If you want the best shot out the window, pick a side seat early. The drive is part of the package.
• Audio can be an issue at times. One person noted a microphone problem where folks toward the back had trouble hearing their guide during that day’s narration. So if you care about the story-telling side, don’t rely on the back row for crystal-clear audio.

If weather gets rough, Burnie can get windy fast. One review described a day where the ship couldn’t dock due to high winds, and the tour was canceled. That is not something you control, but it’s worth remembering if you’re booking with a strict ship schedule.

Your timed visit at Wings Wildlife Park: what to do in 1.5 to 2 hours

At Wings, the experience is mostly self guided once you arrive. There is a guide/driver on the shuttle, but inside the park you’re free to move at your own pace. That matters because it turns the visit into a choose-your-own-adventure, even with limited time.

Your on-site window is planned around 1.5 hours (and the broader description also frames it as roughly 2 hours). In real life, time can feel tight if you stop for every single photo opportunity. Still, the park is set up so you can hit the core animals without needing to speed-run everything.

Here’s how I’d prioritize your short visit if you want the most satisfying loop:

1) Start with the big icons

Wings is built around classic Tasmania highlights: kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, Tasmanian devils, and different birds (including parrots). You’ll often see multiple species in different habitats rather than only one “main show.”

2) Make time for the kangaroo interaction area

The kangaroo pen is repeatedly mentioned as a top memory. One key detail: the enclosure is open, so you can go right in and feed them by hand. That is a different experience than just watching from a fence.

3) If you care about Tasmanian devils, don’t treat them as optional

People book this park specifically to see Tasmanian devils up close. Expect a fascinating, slightly intense view of their behavior and feeding routines. If that side of nature appeals to you, you’ll probably feel like your time was well spent even if you leave feeling like you missed a few smaller exhibits.

4) Keep an eye on scheduled presentations

There are educational talks, and at least one person specifically mentioned an oral presentation being informative. If staff are doing a talk during your visit, it’s a good use of time because it connects what you’re seeing to conservation efforts rather than turning it into just another animal stop.

Even with a short window, you should be able to wander the beautifully landscaped grounds and find spots that feel calm, including a lakeside picnic option if you’ve got time for a quick sit.

Hands-on animal encounters: what’s included, what costs extra

Wings Wildlife Park gives you a blend of included experiences and optional add-ons. This is where the value math gets interesting.

Included moments you should plan around:

• Kangaroo feeding by hand: multiple reviews highlight this as the highlight. You can also feed them enough times to get great photos without it feeling like a rushed “one second and done” interaction.
• Close viewing across a wide range of species: people mentioned everything from very small animals (like mice) up through kangaroos, plus birds.

Paid encounters that many people choose:

• Koala interaction: at least one review mentions paying extra to pet a koala, describing it as surprisingly soft. Another mentioned Blinky Bill specifically, including great photo moments when the koala was awake.
• Baby Tasmanian devil cuddle/encounter: one review noted an extra-fee encounter and even cited about $40 USD per encounter.
• Baby wallaby interaction: one person described petting a baby wallaby being raised by a caretaker.

Here is the practical way to think about these extra options:

• If you’re the type who wants the biggest “only-in-Australia” memory, the paid encounters can be worth prioritizing.
• If you’re on a tighter budget, you can still have a great visit without paying more, because the core included viewing plus the kangaroos already deliver a lot.

If you’re traveling as a group, decide ahead of time what matters most to each person. The time on-site is short, so splitting focus can reduce your chances of getting the encounter you really wanted.

The park’s mission: conservation you can feel, not just hear

One reason this excursion has such strong ratings is that Wings doesn’t feel like a generic zoo stop. The park comes across as focused on education and conservation, including the challenges of protecting native animals.

You’ll see that in how staff explain animals and in what they emphasize as part of their mission. A few reviews specifically called out the care for injured and orphaned animals. That’s important because it changes how you interpret the experience: you’re not only watching animals, you’re seeing the result of a working facility.

Also, Wings has a large variety of animals. One description notes over 150 species, which matters because you’re less likely to feel like you only saw a handful of exhibits before time ran out.

Café and souvenirs: use the break wisely

You’ll have time at the park for a café stop and the souvenir shop. The café offers Tasmanian delicacies, so it’s a good chance to try something local without getting stuck searching for food on your own during a tight shore schedule.

The souvenir shop is also worth a quick pass if you want something small and specific to Tasmania. With limited time, I’d keep shopping brief. Treat it like a “select your favorites” moment, not an all-out browse, unless you skip one of the extra animal encounters.

For your photos, this is a good strategy: take photos first while you’re moving through the animal areas, then come back only if you get a better angle. The park is clean and well run, and that makes it easier to move around without feeling hassled.

Weather, timing, and sound: the stuff that affects the day

This excursion is tightly matched to shore schedules. That is great when it works. When it doesn’t, it can be disappointing.

Things to keep in mind:

• Port conditions matter. One review described a cancellation because the ship could not dock due to high winds. That’s a reminder to hold flexibility, especially during windy seasons.
• Timing at Wings can vary. While the planned on-site time is around 1.5 hours, one review said the driver allowed only 1 hour and 20 minutes. Another said it should have had closer to 2 hours. Translation: you should treat your park time as short, not guaranteed-perfect.
• Audio may not always be perfect. If narration matters to you, position yourself where you can hear best. A microphone issue was noted once.

If you can, aim to be early in the bus line and ready to move quickly once you arrive. People who got to the paid koala experience early seemed to get the best experience out of the limited time window.

Value and price: is $89.66 a fair deal?

At $89.66 per person, you’re paying for three things at once:

1) Transportation from the ship area to Wings and back

2) Admission to the park

3) The scenic drive experience connecting inland views to the Leven River return via Penguin

Compared to cobbling together separate tickets plus local transport, this packaged format is easier, especially with a cruise timetable. And Wings is where most of the “real value” comes from: you’re paying for the chance to see multiple iconic Tasmanian species in one well-designed location.

Where the price can feel different is if you add optional paid encounters. Those can raise the total cost, but they also create the strongest memories for many people. If you budget for one extra encounter (or decide not to), the day still works either way.

Also, keep group size in mind. With a maximum of 50 people, the park experience tends to feel organized rather than chaotic. Clean grounds and well-run animal areas were repeatedly mentioned, which is a big part of why the value feels right.

Who should book this Burnie shore excursion

This shuttle is a strong match if you:

• Want a short, structured wildlife day that fits a ship schedule
• Care about seeing Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies in one place
• Like the idea of self guided wandering at Wings, plus narration on the drive
• Are comfortable choosing between extra paid encounters and maximizing included time

You might consider another option if:

• You need a long, slow visit. The on-site time is limited.
• You’re traveling with someone who relies on a wheelchair. One review described a problem because there is no wheelchair lift on the bus, and passengers must be able to walk onto the bus. They also said wheelchairs can be stored on vehicles, but boarding requires walking. If this applies to you, double-check details before committing.

Should you book the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle from Burnie?

If your goal is an efficient, memorable Burnie shore excursion with iconic wildlife, I think it’s a solid booking. The combination of scenic driving, admission included, and a kangaroo feeding experience that goes beyond passive viewing makes the day feel worth your time.

I’d book it especially if you’re excited about hands-on moments like feeding kangaroos and you’re willing to decide in advance whether you want one paid encounter like a koala or baby Tasmanian devil.

Skip or rethink if you’re the kind of person who needs lots of time in each exhibit. With about 1.5 hours at Wings (and sometimes slightly less), you’ll want to focus on the animals that matter most to you.

FAQ

How long is the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle shore excursion?

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

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at 13 Wilmot St, Burnie TAS 7320, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How much time do I get at Wings Wildlife Park?

Your time at Wings is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the experience is also described as about 2 hours.

Is admission to Wings Wildlife Park included?

Yes. Admission ticket is included.

Is the park part guided or self guided?

The shuttle has a guide/driver, and the Wings Wildlife Park portion is self guided once you’re at the park.

Are animal interactions like koala or Tasmanian devil encounters included?

Basic encounters and animal viewing are part of the visit, and some special interactions are available for an extra fee.