Guide to Ballarat Wildlife Park

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Just a few minutes from the heart of Ballarat, you’ll find one of Victoria’s most hands-on wildlife experiences: The Wildlife Park Ballarat Victoria. This park is a family-owned sanctuary that’s been running since the 1980s, and it’s the kind of place where you can do more than just watch from behind glass. Think hand-feeding kangaroos, cuddling up close to a koala, or watching a giant crocodile named “Crunch” show off his jaw strength. 

The park is home to over 100 kangaroos roaming freely through the grounds, plus koalas, dingoes, wombats, and echidnas. It’s also a key site for Tasmanian devil breeding in Ballarat, helping to protect this endangered species from extinction. Alongside the natives, there’s also a collection of reptiles, giant tortoises, and even little penguins to round out the experience. Whether you’re travelling with kids, road-tripping with mates, or just want to tick a few Australian icons off your list, this is an easy, fun stop to build into your Victoria travel itinerary. 

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Why do people go to the Ballarat Wildlife Park?

Most visitors come here for the animal encounters that Ballarat is famous for. Whether you’re dreaming of bottle-feeding baby kangaroos, signing up for a koala encounter in Victoria, or snapping a photo with a giant python draped across your shoulders, you can find all this here and more! You can even book behind-the-scenes experiences with meerkats or reptiles if you want something a little different. 

The park also has a strong focus on conservation, and its Tasmanian devil breeding program is one of the most prevalent in the country. Keeper talks explain how these fierce little marsupials are being protected from the facial tumour disease that has devastated their wild populations. Then there’s Crunch the crocodile, a five-metre saltie who tips the scales at over 700 kg, and watching his feeding demonstration is one of the most popular shows in the park. 

It is also one of the most family-friendly wildlife experiences in Ballarat. It is often praised for being interactive enough to keep kids entertained, but with plenty of shaded picnic spots and a café for when you need a break.  Plus, it is just a short drive to many of Ballarat’s historic attractions, including Sovereign Hill, which makes it easy to pair the two for a day trip: one part history, one part wildlife.  

 

How long should I spend at Ballarat Wildlife Park?

Allow at least 2–3 hours for a standard visit. That gives you time to wander through the open kangaroo paddocks, sit in on a keeper talk, and get around most of the enclosures without rushing. 

If you’re planning on booking extra encounters, like a koala cuddle or a behind-the-scenes Tasmanian devil experience, or if you want to stop for lunch at the café, it’s worth setting aside half a day. That way, you can take your time and not feel like you’re missing out. 

 

How long does it take to walk around Ballarat Wildlife Park?

You can cover the grounds in about an hour to 90 minutes if you’re just walking the paths. But realistically, most people end up spending much longer. Feeding kangaroos takes time (and trust us, the kangaroos aren’t shy), and the keeper talks usually run for 15–20 minutes each. Add in animal encounters, photo ops with koalas, or watching Crunch at feeding time, and most visits stretch to 2–3 hours or more. 

 

How to get to the Ballarat Wildlife Park

  • From Ballarat: The park is less than 5 minutes from the city centre. Head east on Main Road towards Sovereign Hill, continue for about 500 metres past it, and you’ll see the park entrance on Fussell Street. 
     

  • From Melbourne: It’s about 90 minutes (115 km) via the Western Freeway (M8). Take the Victoria Street exit into Ballarat, follow the signs towards Sovereign Hill, and then continue down to Fussell Street. 

 

Best time to visit the Ballarat Wildlife Park 

Best time of year: The park is open year-round, but the most comfortable months are spring (Sept–Nov) and autumn (Mar–May) when the weather is mild and the animals are most active. Summer days can climb above 30 °C, so pack sunscreen and a hat if you’re visiting then. Winter mornings in Ballarat can be chilly (sometimes dropping to just 3 °C), but the crisp air can make some of the animals more active, especially the Tasmanian devils. Just be sure to pack a good coat and gloves!  

Best time of day: Aim for early morning (around 9 am) when the park opens. The kangaroos and devils are livelier, and the first keeper talks kick off then. By arriving early, you also beat the midday crowds and have more flexibility to stay on for extra encounters if you feel like it. 

 

Weather at the Ballarat Wildlife Park

Ballarat’s weather is cooler than Melbourne’s, thanks to its higher elevation. Expect frosty mornings in winter, with temperatures as low as 3 °C, while summer highs can top 30 °C. Spring and autumn usually sit somewhere in between, making them the easiest times for a visit. Pack layers if you’re coming outside of summer, as conditions can change quickly throughout the day. 

 

Best place to park your campervan at the Ballarat Wildlife Park

The park has a large, free car park right at the entrance on Fussell Street, with plenty of space for campervans and larger vehicles. It’s flat, easy to access, and just a short stroll to the gate. Overnight parking isn’t allowed, but with Ballarat city centre so close, you’ll have no trouble finding a nearby caravan park or campground if you’re stopping over. 

 

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