It’s all about the animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park, where you can wander at your leisure to visit with free-roaming kangaroos, or check out the world’s smallest penguins, Sumatran-Siberian tiger siblings, and much more. Throughout each day staff lead animal presentations, where you can learn about the Aussie animals housed here and ask as many questions as you like.
Special events happen during the year, like Twilight Fridays that welcome live music and food vendors into the park. Educational groups can join hands-on learning opportunities, and you can purchase annual passes for repeat visits.
Prepare to encounter friendly kangaroos, who are happy to be fed “roo food,” which you can buy at the park.
Check the daily schedule to see which animals will be featured in the animal presentations, and at what time.
Eat at the on-site café, or bring a picnic lunch to eat outdoors, surrounded by kangaroos.
Wear sunscreen and a hat, especially if you’re planning on being at the park midday.
Many visitors arrive from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station, a convenient 1.5 hour train ride away. Trains leave several times each weekday, but fewer times on the weekends. Once you’re in Ballarat, the reliable public bus service or a rideshare can take you to the wildlife park. Driving is also an option.
The park is generally open daily from 9am to 5pm, except on Christmas Day. School holidays and weekends usually will be more crowded than weekdays. Note that there are daily animal presentations that take place during the middle of the day, so if those are of interest, make sure to check the daily schedule.
Ballarat Wildlife Park’s Animal Encounters program offers opportunities to hold an animal and receive a photo to commemorate the experience. Some animals available are koalas, wombats, and snakes. Participants must be of a certain age, and the animals change periodically, so make sure to call first to see which creatures are available, and make a booking before you arrive.
