Melbourne – Day 2 – Ballarat Wildlife Park

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Our Melbourne itinerary was largely designed for the kids, and the first of four animal parks was included as an optional item with the first day tour we booked, and with Grayline (more comments of this day tour company in the next post). The Ballarat Wildlife Park is situated in the Ballarat township (population 84,000) and about a 90 minute drive from Melbourne on a good day.

The wildlife park is what one calls an interactive park, and is a family business. A good number of animals – especially Kangaroos and Emus – roam the grounds freely, and visitors are free to explore the small park on the own. Most visitors though would opt for the guided tour that lasts about an hour – the first started at 1100 hrs – and takes visitors through the various spots, including kangaroo feeding – and there are enough ‘Roo’s and Emus around to feed to your hearts’ (and theirs!) content, Koalas, Tasmanian Devils, Eagles, Dingos, Echidnas, Wombats, a huge 5meter long crocodile and his girlfriend (as the guide quipped) croc, and a small reptile house with snakes that looked pretty active for the morning visit.

The ‘Roos were mostly content to lie on the lawns and wait for humans to approach and feed them. Probably out of nurtured habit LOL. Koalas as it turns out sleep 20 hours a day, and the particular koala which was brought out for the kids to touch was somewhat awake, an uncommon occurrence as the guide shared. And we finally found out what gives the Tasmanian Devils their names, and the pair we saw were pretty active – and voracious when fed mice. They practically fought over them, and made heart curdling sounds as they tore through the mice flesh and bones.

Fist-nose bump with the Dingo!
Fist-nose bump with the Dingo!
Unlike his very brave sister, Peter has to be coaxed to touch even very sleepy and couldn't-be-bothered Koalas.
Unlike his very brave sister, Peter has to be coaxed to touch even very sleepy and couldn’t-be-bothered Koalas.
Aaahh. So many Kangaroos frolicking. Who gets my attention first?
Aaahh. So many Kangaroos frolicking. Who gets my attention first?
Yes, humans - you can stroke me.
Yes, humans – you can stroke me.
Peter did try to feed every free-roaming kangaroo though - and there were several dozens!
Peter did try to feed every free-roaming kangaroo though – and there were several dozens!
Two hands so that I can feed all the 'Roos even quicker.
Two hands so that I can feed all the ‘Roos even quicker.

The kids certainly enjoyed this one, and the weather was fantastic too that permitted a number of memorable pictures. About 90 minutes will easily cover the small park. Most Sovereign Hill day tours include this as an optional side-trip at the expense of slightly shortening your exploration of Sovereign Hill. Our recommendation? Worth a look, and if you have young children, definitely a must!