Tasmania’s wildlife, timed for cruise ports. This Burnie shuttle pairs a countryside drive with a self-guided visit to Wings Wildlife Park, built for shore-excursion schedules. I love the scenic Inland route and Leven River return because it makes the trip feel like more than just a quick stop.

My second big win is the up-close animal time, especially hand-feeding kangaroos and the chance to meet koalas like Blinky Bill (with extra experiences available). You also get the fun of seeing Tasmanian Devils and wallabies in a setting that’s built around care and conservation.

One consideration: the park visit is short, so you’ll have to choose what you want most and move with purpose. Add-on encounters cost extra, and if your timing gets squeezed, you may not see every corner.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Wings visit is self-guided once you’re there, so you can set your own pace.
• Scenic drive is part of the value, including the Leven River return and passing through Penguin.
• Short time at the park means plan your must-sees first.
• Optional interactions cost extra, including koala and baby Tasmanian devil experiences.
• Group size stays small with a maximum of 50 travelers on the shuttle.
• On-site café and shop help you top up before you head back to the ship.

Burnie Shore Excursion Value: What You Really Get for $89.66

At $89.66 per person, this isn’t a cheap ride. The reason it can still feel like good value is that you’re paying for two things at once: transportation that works with port timing, plus admission and a structured wildlife visit.

You’re looking at about 3 hours 50 minutes total (including travel) with roughly 1 hour 30 minutes at Wings. That time window is the whole game. It’s enough for a good circuit, photo stops, and one or two special encounters, but it’s not enough for a slow, everything-on-your-own-tour kind of day.

The park itself is built around a conservation mission with over 150 species of animals, so you’re not just there for one highlight. You’ll see the headline Tasmanian icons—Tasmanian Devils, kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas—plus plenty of birds and other Australian wildlife.

Where You Meet and How to Avoid Start-Point Stress

The meeting point is clearly set: 13 Wilmot St, Burnie TAS 7320, and ticket redemption is also at the same address. The shuttle is designed for cruise schedules, so you’ll want to arrive on the early side rather than hunting for the last second.

One practical tip from people who’ve done this before: the meeting area can feel a little hectic around the market zone. If you’re confused, walk across the market area to locate the tour company table. It tends to be the quickest way to get pointed to the correct shuttle.

Also, you’re not dealing with a massive coach swarm. The tour caps out at 50 travelers, which usually keeps check-in and seating from turning into a long wait.

The Scenic Drive Inland and Back Along the Leven River

This shuttle experience isn’t just transportation—it’s part of the day. You get a scenic inland drive out to Wings, then the return trip follows the Leven River, with the route passing through the coastal village of Penguin.

Why this matters: in a shore excursion, the biggest risk is spending your only free hours sitting still. Here, you’re moving through the Tasmanian countryside, and that gives you context for what you’re about to see. It also helps if you’re one of those people who hates being stuck at a port with nothing to do but paperwork and photos.

On the bus, you may get an on-board narration setup (some people mention a recorded tour style presentation and a volunteer narrator sharing facts). Even if you’re not a trivia fanatic, it’s a nice way to make the ride feel purposeful.

Wings Wildlife Park: Your 1.5-Hour Animal Game Plan

Once you arrive, the park time is self-guided. That sounds simple, but in practice it means you need a quick plan. You’re there for about 90 minutes, so try to start with your top two priorities and then let everything else fall into place.

Wings Wildlife Park is set up for close viewing of a wide mix of Australian wildlife. Expect to see:

• Tasmanian Devils
• Kangaroos
• Wallabies
• Koalas
• Parrots and other birdlife

You can wander landscaped grounds at your own pace, and many areas are set up for easy viewing without needing to hunt for a specific animal keeper talk. Some people also choose the guided option inside the park, but if you want independence, self-guided works fine for a short visit.

Feeding Kangaroos and Hand-Close Encounters That People Remember

The most repeated highlight is feeding and getting right up into kangaroo space. The park includes an area where you can walk in and feed kangaroos by hand, and that’s the kind of experience that sticks in your mind because it feels interactive rather than observational.

A good strategy for your limited time:

1. Start with the kangaroo feeding moment early, so you’re not rushed if lines form.
2. After that, move into devils and birds, then save koalas for last if you’re planning any optional encounter.

Optional interactions are where you can turn a good visit into a standout one, but you should go in knowing they cost extra. Some add-ons people mention include:

• A koala interaction where you can pet a koala such as Blinky Bill
• A baby Tasmanian devil experience (including holding/cuddling-type encounters, described as an upcharge)

One person cited a baby devil encounter as costing the equivalent of about $40 US per encounter, which gives you a rough sense that these are add-ons, not included in base admission. If you love doing one special thing, pick the one that fits your interests and move on.

Tasmanian Devils: Fascinating, Intense, and Totally Why You Came

If Tasmanian Devils are your top reason for booking, you’ll want to spend a real chunk of your visit time here—because they’re not just cute statues. People specifically call out getting to see Tasmanian Devils up close and watching how they feed.

It’s a real animal experience, including the reality of their behavior. If you’re squeamish, mentally prepare for intense feeding moments. If you’re the type who loves conservation education and wants to see animals as they actually are, this is one of those experiences that feels worth the time even in a short visit.

For me, the devil portion of the day works because it balances the cuddly animal moments. You get the full Tasmanian story instead of only the Instagram-friendly highlights.

Birds, Wombats, and the Stuff Between the Headlines

Even if you came for devils and koalas, it’s worth slowing down for the other wildlife. People mention seeing everything from small animals like mice up to larger icons like kangaroos. You also see wombats, land rovers (as part of park display context), and a spread of birds.

One review also called out the gang-gang cockatoo as being especially friendly, which is a reminder that birds can be the surprise star on a short trip. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes variety, you’ll likely enjoy wandering rather than rushing from exhibit to exhibit.

On-Site Café and Souvenir Stops: Don’t Rush the Comfort Bits

You have time to stop for food and a look around the shop. The park includes an on-site café where you can try Tasmanian delicacies, plus there’s a souvenir store for Tasmanian gifts.

In 90 minutes, you may not have time for a full meal. But if you can grab a drink or a snack, it makes the whole day easier—especially if you’re traveling with kids or you tend to get hungry quickly on excursions.

Souvenirs are also worth it here because you’re likely to go home with something more local than standard cruise gifts. The store is there for a reason: people love bringing back a reminder of the animals and the Tasmanian setting.

How Well This Fits Your Time in Burnie

This excursion is built for shore timing. The total duration is set so you’re transported back in time for your ship’s departure, and the shuttle includes a guide/driver role on the bus. Once you’re at Wings, you’re mostly on your own.

That combo works best if:

• you want maximum wildlife for limited time
• you like driving scenery between stops
• you’re comfortable navigating a park at your own pace

It may feel less ideal if you:

• need more than 90 minutes at a wildlife attraction
• want fully guided, step-by-step interpretation the whole time
• hate moving quickly between exhibits

One small timing note worth keeping in mind: some people reported they got slightly less park time than expected. So treat the park slot as a helpful target, not a guaranteed cushion.

Extras, Upgrades, and What to Spend On

The base admission gets you into the park and access to all the main exhibits. The optional experiences are for deeper interaction. If you’re deciding what’s worth it, use this simple rule:

Spend extra only on the one interaction that would make you genuinely happy if it were your only upgrade.

People highlight two types most often:

• Koala petting/interactions, including Blinky Bill encounters
• Baby Tasmanian devil experiences, described as a special, higher-fee interaction

If you’re unsure, look at your priorities before you arrive. The best choice is usually the one that matches your personality: cuddly and gentle, or hands-on and intense.

Also, don’t forget that you can still have a fantastic visit without upgrades. Hand-feeding kangaroos and watching the devils can be enough for a memorable day.

Who Should Book This Shuttle (and Who Should Rethink)

I think this works especially well for first-timers to Tasmania wildlife. You get the big icons in one outing, plus a scenic ride that makes your shore time feel like a day trip.

It’s also a solid pick for people who like structure but want freedom. You’re not stuck in a long guided lecture, and you’re not fully on your own either. You get help with transportation and then you can focus on the parts of the park you care about.

Rethink it if accessibility is a concern. One important note: the shuttle involves getting onto the bus without a wheelchair lift, and guests need to be able to walk onto the vehicle. Wheelchairs can be stored, but entry requires walking ability.

Should You Book Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle from Burnie?

If your goal is a fast, high-impact wildlife day from Burnie, I’d book it. The combination of a scenic drive, self-guided time at a conservation-focused wildlife park, and hands-on moments like kangaroo feeding makes it a strong match for most cruise schedules.

Choose it when you:

• want a simple plan with minimal hassle
• care about seeing Tasmanian Devils, kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas
• are okay with a short visit and possibly spending extra on one special interaction

Skip or consider an alternative if you need extra time at the park, want a fully guided experience throughout, or need vehicle access that involves a wheelchair lift.

Bottom line: for a shore excursion, this is one of the smarter ways to get real animal time without sacrificing the scenery of Tasmania.

FAQ

How long is the Wings Wildlife Park shuttle from Burnie?

The total duration is about 3 hours 50 minutes, including travel time.

How much time do I spend at Wings Wildlife Park?

You get about 1 hour 30 minutes at Wings, with admission ticket included.

What animals will I see at Wings Wildlife Park?

You can expect iconic Tasmanian species like Tasmanian Devils, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and parrots, plus additional animals across the park.

Is the experience guided at the park?

You have a guide/driver for the shuttle, and the time at Wings is self-guided.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes admission to Wings Wildlife Park, plus shuttle transportation from the meeting point area and back.

Does the shuttle go past Penguin and follow the Leven River?

Yes. The route includes a scenic return along the Leven River and passing through the coastal village of Penguin.

Is there food available at the park?

Yes. There is an on-site café offering Tasmanian delicacies.

Are optional animal interactions available?

Some interactions can be paid as extras, such as koala interaction and baby Tasmanian devil experiences.

Is the shuttle accessible for wheelchair users?

You can store wheelchairs on the vehicles, but the bus entry requires walking onto the bus since there is no wheelchair lift.

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