Wildlife Wonders is a unique wildlife park where you can walk through a protected rainforest sanctuary, spot koalas in the treetops and come face to face with emus.
A guided tour of this animal sanctuary is one of the most special family experiences on the Great Ocean Road – and every dollar you spend goes directly towards saving threatened wildlife.
We visited as a family and came away with an appreciation for the Otways and Australia’s flora and fauna. Here’s everything a parent needs to know before you book.
What Is Wildlife Wonders?
Wildlife Wonders is a 30-acre protected sanctuary just 7 minutes drive from Apollo Bay, sitting right on the Great Ocean Road. It’s run by the Conservation Ecology Centre — a not-for-profit organisation — and 100% of profits go directly into wildlife research and conservation projects across the Otways.
This isn’t a zoo. There are no enclosures. The animals roam freely through the sanctuary as they would in the wild, protected by a predator-proof fence that keeps out foxes and cats. You can only visit through booking a guided tour.
What that means for you is a wildlife experience that feels truly wild, combined with education information from a knowledgeable guide. Every tour is different.
Before You Go In: The Visitor Centre
Don’t rush straight to the tour. The foyer and visitor centre are worth arriving early for. They also recommend planning to arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time as traffic on the Great Ocean Road can be congested at times.
At the visitor’s centre there’s tanks of fascinating little creatures to keep kids entertained while you wait, a cosy reading corner where kids can settle in with nature books, and a gift and book shop with some lovely things to browse.
The Emu Café is also right there so you can grab a coffee and something to eat before or after your tour. No food or drink is allowed inside the sanctuary during the tour.
One practical tip: use the toilet before you head out on tour. There are no stops once you’re in the sanctuary, so get everyone sorted before you depart.
How the Wildlife Wonders Tour Works
Every tour starts with a short introductory video that sets the scene — a bit of context about the sanctuary, the Otways ecosystem, and what you might encounter. It’s a great way to get kids settled and curious before you head out.
Your Nature Guide leads a small group — maximum 20 for the Walk with Wildlife Tour — along a gentle 1.4km winding path through the sanctuary. The path is pram-friendly and step-free throughout — no stairs anywhere on the route.
The guide wears a mic and every visitor gets a loan earpiece headset. This is very useful because sometimes the guide needs to whisper so as not to disturb the animals, and the headsets mean you catch every word even at the back of the group. You can adjust the volume on the headset to suit you.
Feel free to ask questions — the guides are educators, conservation scientists and nature lovers and teach you a lot about the animals and the ecosystem. The more you ask the more you learn!
What Animals Will You See?
As the sanctuary is wild and the animals go where they please, you can’t guarantee seeing specific animals on any given tour.
But you’re very likely to encounter koalas, eastern grey kangaroos, emus, swamp wallabies and more. You might also spot pademelons, bandicoots, gang-gang cockatoos, kookaburras and other native birds.
Every tour is different. That’s actually part of what makes it so special — it’s not a scripted experience. On our visit, our guide was extremely excited to spot long-nosed potoroos and we got to smell some fresh koala droppings!
Which Tour Is Right for Your Family?
Walk with Wildlife Tour — the best starting point for families
Duration: 75 minutes Price: Adult $59 | Child (4–15 yrs) $24 | Infant (0–3 yrs) FREE | Family (2 adults + 2 children) $149 | Senior/Student $53
This is the main daytime tour and it’s perfect for families with kids of all ages. It runs multiple times daily. Kids 3 and under are free. We booked the latest tour at 3pm for the best chance of seeing animals as they become more active towards dusk.
Dusk Discovery Tour — the best for wildlife spotting
Duration: 90 minutes (plus time at the café) Price: Adult $95 | Child (4–15 yrs) $75 | Infant (0–3 yrs) FREE | Family (2 adults + 2 children) $299 | Senior/Student $84.50
This is the tour to book if you want the best chance of seeing more wildlife. Many Australian animals are crepuscular — meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk. As the sun sets over the Otways, potoroos, bandicoots, pademelons and wallabies come out to feed. The Dusk Discovery Tour gives you the best shot at spotting these elusive animals.
A simple meal and cold drink at the Emu Café are included.
Note for parents: because of the later start time and longer duration, the Dusk Tour may not suit young children. If your kids go to bed early or you’ve got toddlers, stick to the Walk with Wildlife daytime tour.
Important: the Dusk Tour doesn’t run every night (currently Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings), and start times change with the season. Check the website carefully when planning your visit and book ahead.
Dawn Discovery Tour — for the bird lovers
Duration: 90 minutes (plus breakfast) Price: Check the website for current pricing
If your family loves birds, the Dawn Discovery Tour is magical. The sanctuary wakes up as you walk through it, with birdsong building around you and animals starting their day. A light breakfast and coffee are included.
Like the Dusk Tour, availability and start times vary by season — check the website before you plan.
Wildlife Wonders: Practical Info for Families
Opening Hours
Wildlife Wonders and the Emu Café are open every day from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Closed on Good Friday, ANZAC Day, King’s Birthday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Where Is It?
475 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay. It’s about a 7-minute drive from Apollo Bay township — close enough to combine easily with a full day in town. There’s plenty of parking on site.
Book Ahead
Booking online is strongly recommended, especially in peak season and school holidays. Tours are capped in size — 20 people maximum for the Walk with Wildlife, 14 maximum for the Dusk Tour — so they do fill up. You can also call (03) 7046 1664 or pop in on the day if you haven’t booked, and the front desk team will help you.
Prams and Accessibility
The entire tour path is step-free with no stairs, and is pram and wheelchair friendly. The terrain includes boardwalk, compact dirt and compact gravel — so a sturdy pram is recommended over a very lightweight stroller. Automatic doors at the entrance and accessible parking are also available.
Wildlife Wonders has detailed accessibility information on their website if you have specific needs.
What’s Included on the Tour
- Loan binoculars for everyone
- Loan earpiece headsets to hear the guide clearly
- Loan ponchos if it rains
- A simple meal and cold drink (Dusk Tour only)
- Light breakfast and coffee (Dawn Tour only)
Can You Visit Without a Tour?
The Emu Café, visitor centre and gift shop are open to everyone, even if you’re not on a tour.
The sanctuary itself is guided tours only — you can’t walk through independently. This is to protect the animals and their habitat.
The Emu Café
Sit down for a meal or a coffee at the Emu Café before or after your tour and look out over the lush sanctuary. You might even get an emu wandering past while you eat — they’ve been known to visit. The café uses locally sourced food and the menu changes seasonally. Full menu is available until 2:30pm.
Your Visit Supports Conservation
This is one of those things that makes Wildlife Wonders stand out from most tourist attractions. It’s a registered charity. Every single dollar of profit goes into conservation and wildlife research projects run by the Conservation Ecology Centre.
When you book here, you’re not just having a great family day out — you’re actively helping protect the Otways ecosystem. Worth explaining to older kids and teens who’ll appreciate the bigger picture.
Tips for Visiting Wildlife Wonders with Kids
Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Give the kids time to explore the foyer — the creature tank and reading nook will keep them busy — and make sure everyone uses the toilet before you head out on tour.
Let kids hold the binoculars. They get much more out of the experience when they’re actively scanning the treetops for koalas rather than waiting to be shown.
Don’t stress if you don’t see everything. Every tour is different and that’s part of the magic. The guide’s knowledge and the setting alone are worth it.
Book the Dusk Tour if your kids are old enough. It’s a step up in price but the wildlife spotting is likely to be better.
Check the seasonal tour schedule before you plan. Dusk and Dawn tours don’t run every night and timing changes with the seasons.
Combining Wildlife Wonders with a Day in Apollo Bay
Wildlife Wonders is just 7 minutes from Apollo Bay, making it easy to combine with a full day on the coast.
So you could spend the morning at Wildlife Wonders, grab lunch in town, and head to the beach in the afternoon. If you’re staying overnight, book the Dusk Tour for the evening — it’s the perfect end to a Great Ocean Road day.
Check out our full guide to things to do in Apollo Bay with kids for more ideas on how to plan your day.
FAQs: Wildlife Wonders with Kids
What age is Wildlife Wonders suitable for?
All ages — infants (0–3) are free and the path is pram-friendly. The Walk with Wildlife Tour has no minimum age. The Dusk and Dawn Tours may not suit very young children due to the later timing and longer duration — call ahead if you’re unsure.
Do you need to book in advance?
Yes, booking online is strongly recommended. Tours are small and do fill up, especially in school holidays and weekends. You can also call (03) 7046 1664 or pop in on the day.
Can you see specific animals on the tour?
You can’t guarantee specific animals — they roam freely and go where they please. You’re very likely to see koalas, kangaroos and emus. The Dusk and Dawn Tours give you the best chance of spotting the more elusive nocturnal animals like potoroos and bandicoots.
Is it pram-friendly?
Yes. The path is step-free throughout with no stairs. It includes boardwalk, compact dirt and compact gravel. A sturdy pram is recommended.
Are headsets really necessary?
The guide sometimes needs to whisper to avoid disturbing the animals, and the headsets mean everyone in the group catches every word.
How far is Wildlife Wonders from Apollo Bay?
About 7 minutes by car — it’s at 475 Great Ocean Road, just outside the town.
Is the Dusk Tour on every night?
No — it runs on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and the start time changes with the season. Check the Wildlife Wonders website when planning your visit.
Does my visit really support conservation?
Yes, absolutely. Wildlife Wonders is a registered charity and 100% of profits go to the Conservation Ecology Centre’s wildlife research and conservation projects. Every ticket counts.
Wildlife Wonders: Our Verdict
Wildlife Wonders is a unique and special experience — one of those rare places that’s great for kids of every age and actually means something beyond a fun day out. Our guide was brilliant and our teens and I learnt a lot. Plus the setting is stunning, and your visit directly funds conservation work in the Otways.
If you’re doing the Great Ocean Road with kids, this one belongs on the list. And if you can make the Dusk Tour work with your kids’ ages and bedtimes, do it.
A MUST-DO ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
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This article contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our visit was hosted by Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism. All opinions are our own.
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