What is Ballarat Wildlife Park?
Ballarat Wildlife Park is a privately owned zoo located in Ballarat East, Victoria, approximately 90 minutes’ drive west of Melbourne. Founded by Greg Parker in February 1985 through a passion for wildlife conservation, the 10 to 16-hectare park is home to more than 300 animals and remains family-run by the Parker family and their team.
What makes Ballarat Wildlife Park particularly special is the emphasis on interaction — over 100 free-roaming kangaroos wander the grounds waiting to be hand-fed, and visitors can get genuinely close to Australian natives including koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and little penguins. The park also houses exotic animals including Sumatran-Siberian tigers Kai and Akasha in a state-of-the-art sanctuary, plus Crunch — one of Australia’s biggest crocodiles at five metres long.
The park was once famous for housing Patrick the wombat, who held the record as the oldest known common wombat in captivity when he died in 2017 aged around 30 years. Nicknamed “Paddy Cake,” he weighed 38kg and became an international celebrity with over 55,000 Facebook followers.
To skip the explanation and book Ballarat Wildlife Park entrance tickets, head this way.
What to see at Ballarat Wildlife Park
Australian animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park
The park holds Victoria‘s largest colony of koalas in captivity (around 35 members) and specialises in native Australian wildlife. You’ll encounter over 100 free-roaming kangaroos — genuinely one of the highlights — plus wombats, emus, Southern cassowaries, quokkas, tree kangaroos from Papua New Guinea, dingoes in large enclosures, and special enclosures for endangered Tasmanian devils. The park was the first privately owned park to breed Tasmanian devils on the mainland.
Little penguins — the world’s smallest penguin species — have their own exhibit where you can watch these endearing flightless birds waddle about.
Reptile house at Ballarat Wildlife Park
The extensive reptile house features snakes (both venomous and non-venomous), lizards, frogs, alligators, and the star attraction: Crunch, a five-metre-long saltwater crocodile who arrived in December 2013. On weekends and school holidays, visitors can watch Crunch feed — genuinely spectacular if you appreciate apex predators in action. The reptile house also houses Victoria’s only Komodo dragon.
Tiger sanctuary at Ballarat Wildlife Park
The state-of-the-art tiger sanctuary houses Kai and Akasha, rescued Sumatran-Siberian tigers registered as endangered species. The park offers tiger encounter experiences (additional cost of $99) where you can feed these magnificent big cats under strict keeper supervision.
Other animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park
Giant tortoises, six meerkats, eagles (some rescued eagles that were injured and cannot fly), black cockatoos, tawny frogmouths, and spotted-tail quolls round out the impressive collection.
Daily presentations at Ballarat Wildlife Park
Free daily presentations include meerkat talks, penguin presentations, dingo talks/walks, reptile presentations, tiger presentations, conservation talks, and Tasmanian devil presentations. Keeper feeding shows run on weekends. Check the daily schedule upon arrival.
Animal encounters at Ballarat Wildlife Park
Special paid encounters allow up-close experiences with various animals, including koala encounters (pat and photograph koalas — note that Victorian law prohibits holding them), wombat cuddles, giant tortoise encounters (meet Hugo), meerkat encounters (children 9+ only, approximately $80), kangaroo encounters ($50), tiger encounters ($99), cassowary encounters ($50), black cockatoo encounters ($50), and tawny frogmouth encounters ($30). Encounters include professional photography. Bookings are essential — call (03) 5333 5933 or book upon arrival.
Junior Keeper Programme
Children aged 6 to 15 can shadow a zookeeper and learn about daily animal care and feeding. Bookings, again, are required.
Visiting Ballarat Wildlife Park: practical information
Ballarat Wildlife Park opening hours and admission
Opening hours:
- Daily: 9.00am to 5.00pm.
- Closed Christmas Day only.
Admission prices (at entrance):
- Adults: $40.
- Concession: $30 (valid seniors/student/healthcare card required).
- Children (5 to 15 years): $20.
- Family (2 adults + up to 4 children): $100.
- Children under 5: FREE.
Online prices (approximately 10% discount):
- Adults: $35 to $36.
- Concession: $27 to $29.
- Children (5 to 15 years): $18 to $19.50.
- Family: $95.
Important: Companion cards accepted — present at entrance for free carer entry.
Additional costs: Animal feed bags, special animal encounters, and professional photography all incur additional fees.
Getting to Ballarat Wildlife Park
Address: 250 Fussell Street (corner of York and Fussell Streets), Ballarat East, Victoria 3350
From Melbourne CBD: Approximately 90 minutes’ drive (110km) via Western Highway/M8. The park is just 4 minutes from Sovereign Hill.
By train: Take V/Line train from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to Ballarat Station, then taxi or bus to the park.
By bus: Take bus route 20 from Ballarat to the park. Check Public Transport Victoria for current timetables.
Parking: Large car park on site. Coach parking available. Free parking.
Ballarat Wildlife Park accessibility
The park actively welcomes people with access needs. All paths are concrete or gravel, though some surfaces are uneven and certain areas are on inclines. The top of the park at entrance is flat with gentle slopes. All paths are accessible by wheelchair, though some visitors may find slopes and surfaces challenging. One main kangaroo area is grass/dirt. Contact the park for specific accessibility requirements.
Facilities at Ballarat Wildlife Park
Café: Fully licensed undercover café serving hot and cold food, soup, sandwiches, freshly ground coffee, and snacks. During summer, blinds open with views overlooking the park. Log fires provide warmth during winter. Outdoor tables and chairs amongst the kangaroos.
Picnic areas: Visitors welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Picnic tables available.
Souvenir shop: Extensive range including t-shirts, postcards, toys, plush animals, and Australian-made products.
Other facilities: Parents room, baby change facilities, public toilets.
How long to spend at Ballarat Wildlife Park
Quick visit: 2 to 3 hours to see main attractions and attend some presentations. Recommended: 3 to 4 hours including lunch and multiple presentations. With animal encounters: 4 to 5 hours to thoroughly explore everything.
Most visitors spend 3 to 4 hours. The park’s manageable size means you won’t exhaust yourself or young children.
Best time to visit Ballarat Wildlife Park
Arrive at opening (9.00am): Recommended to see animals at their most active, avoid crowds, and catch the 11.00am guided tour. The park gets busier between 11.00am and 2.00pm, especially weekends and school holidays, as people arrive from Melbourne.
Spring (September to November): Comfortable temperatures, low chance of rain, ideal for outdoor exploration.
Summer (December to February): Extended daylight hours, though can be hot. Weekend crocodile feeding shows.
Autumn/Winter: Smaller crowds, comfortable for walking around. Café log fires provide cosy atmosphere.
Conservation work at Ballarat Wildlife Park
The park works closely with conservation organisations to protect Australian wildlife. It participates in breeding programmes for endangered species, offers educational programmes for schools and community groups, and has contributed to koala conservation campaigns including fundraisers for planting eucalyptus trees. The park is accredited as a Sustainable Tourism business.
Nearby attractions to Ballarat Wildlife Park
Ballarat Wildlife Park is ideally positioned near Victoria’s Goldfields attractions:
- Sovereign Hill: 4 minutes away (4km) — fascinating re-creation of Ballarat’s 1860s gold-mining township. One of Victoria’s premier attractions.
- Lake Wendouree: Artificial lake used for rowing events at 1956 Olympics, focal point for Ballarat with walking/cycling paths.
- Ballarat Botanical Gardens: Beautiful 19th-century gardens with conservatory, statuary, and seasonal displays.
- Art Gallery of Ballarat: Australia’s oldest provincial gallery (established 1884), featuring Australian art collection.
- Eureka Centre: Museum commemorating the 1854 Eureka Stockade rebellion.
- Ballarat Tramway Museum: Operating heritage trams, Australia’s oldest tramway museum.
- Arch of Victory: WWI memorial arch.
Combining attractions: Many visitors combine Ballarat Wildlife Park with Sovereign Hill for a full day exploring Ballarat’s heritage and wildlife. You can link the two on a day tour from Melbourne.
Dining near Ballarat Wildlife Park
The park’s licensed café provides decent options, or bring your own picnic. Ballarat city centre (approximately 10 to 15 minutes’ drive) offers wider dining variety including restaurants, pubs, and cafés along Lydiard Street.
Tips for visiting Ballarat Wildlife Park
- Arrive at 9.00am opening to maximise your day and beat crowds.
- Book tickets online for 10% discount.
- Purchase kangaroo feed bags immediately — hand-feeding over 100 free-roaming kangaroos is genuinely the highlight for most visitors and the roos get less hungry later in the day.
- Attend the 11.00am guided tour for comprehensive overview and keeper insights.
- Pre-book special animal encounters if interested — spaces are limited and fill quickly.
- Check the daily presentation schedule upon arrival and plan your route accordingly.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes — paths are concrete and gravel but you’ll cover decent ground.
- Visit on weekdays during term time for quietest experience.
- Combine with Sovereign Hill (4 minutes away) for a full Ballarat day.
- Allow time at the café overlooking kangaroo areas — it’s pleasant for breaks.
- Visit the reptile house and time your visit for weekend crocodile feeding if possible.
- Ask staff about Patrick the wombat’s legacy — staff are knowledgeable and passionate about the park’s history.
Why visit Ballarat Wildlife Park?
Ballarat Wildlife Park represents solid value for families and animal enthusiasts. At $40 admission, you’re accessing over 300 animals, genuine interaction with over 100 free-roaming kangaroos, multiple daily presentations, and opportunities for paid encounters with koalas, wombats, tigers, and meerkats.
What distinguishes Ballarat from larger corporate zoos is the genuine emphasis on interaction and conservation. This isn’t “look but don’t touch” tourism — you’re walking amongst kangaroos, feeding them by hand, and getting genuinely close to species you’d never encounter elsewhere. The family-owned aspect since 1985 creates a personal touch that enhances the experience.
The park’s conservation credentials add substance beyond entertainment. Breeding Tasmanian devils (first private park to do so on mainland), housing Victoria’s largest koala colony, rescuing injured eagles, and providing sanctuary for endangered tigers demonstrates genuine commitment to wildlife welfare. Your admission supports these conservation efforts.
The recognition as Victoria’s Best Attraction 2023 (silver 2024) validates what visitors consistently report: this is genuinely excellent. The manageable 10 to 16-hectare size means you see everything without exhausting yourself, yet it houses impressive diversity from little penguins to five-metre crocodiles.
Being just 90 minutes from Melbourne and 4 minutes from Sovereign Hill makes it perfect for day trips combining wildlife with gold rush history. The location in Ballarat — Victoria’s premier inland tourist destination — means accommodation, dining, and additional attractions are readily available.
Patrick the wombat’s legacy lives on — his story of being rescued from his dying mother’s pouch and becoming an international celebrity demonstrates the park’s philosophy: individual animals matter, welfare comes first, and conservation happens through education and connection.
More Victoria travel
Other Victoria travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A series of wildlife encounters on the Great Ocean Road.
- Planning a visit to the Healesville Sanctuary.
- Why it’s worth visiting Cactus Country in Strathmerton.
- What to expect at Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool.
- How tours of the J Ward Lunatic Asylum in Ararat work.
