Tasmanian Wildlife Sanctuary

Set among rolling hills and eucalypt forest just outside the state's northern reaches, the Tasmanian Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for the island's most iconic and endangered species. This not-for-profit rescue and rehabilitation centre offers an intimate, ethical encounter with Tasmania's unique fauna — think wombats waddling at dusk, quolls peering from hollow logs, and the unmistakable glare of a Tasmanian devil. Unlike larger commercial parks, the sanctuary's small size and dedicated volunteer staff mean you'll hear the stories behind each resident, from orphaned joeys to injured raptors. It's a place that feels more like a working hospital than a zoo, and that's precisely its charm.

Highlights & What to See

• Meet the Tasmanian devils during the daily feeding talks — you'll see their powerful jaws and hear their spine-tingling growls up close. The sanctuary participates in the national Devil Ark breeding program, so you're supporting conservation with every entry.
• Wombat encounters are a highlight: the sanctuary's resident wombats often amble around the grounds during the late-afternoon keeper sessions. You can pat them under supervision — a far cry from the wild's elusive burrowers.
• Nocturnal house reveals the secret lives of eastern quolls, bandicoots and sugar gliders. Dim red lighting lets you watch these shy creatures hunt and play as they would after dark.
• Bird aviaries house rescued wedge-tailed eagles, masked owls and green rosellas. The 'free-flight' enclosure lets you walk among native birds without bars between you.
• Interpretive bushwalk winds through remnant forest with signs explaining traditional Aboriginal uses of plants and the sanctuary's rewilding efforts. Keep an eye out for wild pademelons and wallabies that hop through the undergrowth.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allocate two to three hours to fully experience the sanctuary. Arrive around 2pm to catch the devil feeding talk (usually at 2:30pm), then explore the nocturnal house and bushwalk before the wombats become active in the late afternoon. The sanctuary is compact, so you won't rush — but the keeper talks are spaced out, so a relaxed pace lets you soak up the atmosphere. If you're a keen photographer or have kids who want to linger at each enclosure, budget an extra hour.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Launceston (40 minutes south) — Tasmania's second city offers a vibrant food scene, the excellent Queen Victoria Museum, and Cataract Gorge's walking trails and swimming.
• Bridport & the Bay of Fires (1 hour east) — white-sand beaches and orange-lichen-covered boulders make this one of the state's most photogenic coastlines, perfect for a beach-and-wildlife day trip.
• Ben Lomond National Park (1 hour southeast) — in winter, it's Tasmania's best ski field; in summer, the alpine plateau offers dramatic walks and wildflower displays.
• Evandale (25 minutes south) — a charming Georgian village with a Sunday market, antique shops, and the famous Penny Farthing Museum.
• Low Head Penguin Tours (30 minutes north) — join a guided evening walk to see little penguins returning to their burrows at sunset, a perfect complement to the sanctuary's nocturnal focus.

Please check official sources for current details.