East Coast Natureworld
East Coast Natureworld is a wildlife sanctuary and nature park on Tasmania's east coast, offering an immersive encounter with the island's unique fauna and ecosystems. Set amidst natural bushland and lagoons, it's a haven for rescued and native animals, providing an intimate and educational experience for all ages.
Highlights & What to See
- Meet the Tasmanian devils – See these iconic marsupials up close during daily feeding sessions and learn about conservation efforts to protect them from the facial tumour disease.
- Walk among kangaroos and wallabies – The free-range enclosures let you hand-feed friendly eastern grey kangaroos and Bennett's wallabies, a quintessential Aussie experience.
- Spot wombats and echidnas – Observe these shy, burrowing mammals in naturalistic habitats; the park has a successful breeding program for wombats.
- Birdlife and reptiles – From colourful parrots and cockatoos to Tasmanian native hens and the curious tawny frogmouth, plus a reptile house with snakes and lizards.
- Nocturnal house – Discover creatures of the night, including the elusive eastern quoll and sugar gliders, in a special dark environment.
- Scenic wetlands and bushland walks – Explore the park's lagoons and native gardens, home to waterbirds and pademelons, with interpretive signs explaining the local ecology.
Suggested Time to Spend
Plan for around 1.5 to 2 hours to comfortably see the main animal exhibits and enjoy a feeding session. If you're a wildlife enthusiast or have children, you could easily extend to half a day by taking a leisurely stroll around the wetlands and having a picnic. The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with feeding times scheduled throughout the day; check the timetable on arrival to plan your visit.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Bicheno – Just a 5-minute drive south, this coastal town offers beautiful beaches, the famous Bicheno Blowhole, and penguin tours at dusk.
- Freycinet National Park – About 30 minutes north, home to the stunning Wineglass Bay and excellent bushwalking, kayaking, and scenic lookouts.
- Coles Bay – The gateway to Freycinet, with pristine beaches and the iconic Hazards mountain range.
- St Helens – A fishing town 45 minutes north, known for its seafood, the Bay of Fires conservation area, and game fishing charters.
- Douglas-Apsley National Park – A lesser-known gem with rainforest walks and swimming holes, about 30 minutes northwest.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Cataract Gorge — Peripitus / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bicheno — taken by uploader / Public domain
- Freycinet National Park — Jane6592 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Coles Bay — Tirin aka Takver - www.takver.com / CC BY-SA 3.0
- St Helens — Archives New Zealand / CC BY 2.0
- Douglas-Apsley National Park — VirtualWolf from Sydney, Australia / CC BY-SA 2.0