Frequently Asked Questions

About the tours

  • The Sanctuary is experienced on a booked guided tour only. We have different tour options available and multiple tours running daily. We encourage you to book ahead, however you can pop in and our front desk team will help you.

    Our Visitor Centre, Emu Cafe and Gift & Book Shop are open to everyone, whether you are entering the Sanctuary or not.

  • At Wildlife Wonders the wildlife roam freely within the Sanctuary and we want them to continue to thrive. So for the safety of the animals and their homes, the only way to experience the Sanctuary is one of our guided tours. Plus by joining a tour with one of our Nature Guides you will learn and likely see so much more.

  • The walk is 1.4km and takes just over an hour. The path is formed with a gentle gradient which can be managed by sturdy prams and wheelchairs. Please visit our Accessibility page for in depth information or contact our friendly team on (03) 7046 1664 at least 48 hours prior to your tour time should you require assistance, so that we can be support you to have the most wonderful experience.

  • Yes we encourage it! You are very welcome to take photos and video on the tour and we encourage you to share your experience with us and others. Please tag us @wildlifewondersaus

    Note: Flash photography and drones are not permitted as they disturb the wildlife. For photographers, there is limited time for detailed photography on scheduled tours. For a dedicated photography tour please contact us directly to make arrangements.

  • Wildlife Wonders is home to koalas, eastern grey kangaroos, emus, swamp wallabies, red-shouldered wallabies, long-nosed potoroos, a whole array of native birds and so, so many more. The Sanctuary is surrounded by a predator proof fence and being a sanctuary, the animals live as they would in the wild. There are no enclosures here. For this reason, we can’t guarantee which animals you will see on your tour but we do know that every tour experience is a completely unique one. 

    Also to consider is that many Australian animals are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. So for your best chance at spotting more native wildlife, we recommend a Dusk Discovery Tour or a Dawn Discovery Tour. 

    Visit our Wild Lives to learn about all the wildlife who call the Sanctuary home. 

  • You can stay for a meal or drink at our Emu Cafe. We have a great local menu and serve local, The Wildside coffee, brewed especially for Wildlife Wonders by the local Hello Coffee brewers here in Apollo Bay. Our Gift & Book Shop is also full of beautiful nature books, locally crafted wildlife wares, cards and so much more. For more things to do in Apollo Bay you can visit our blog.

  • We recommend our Walk with Wildlife Tour for families with young kids, They will love using their binoculars (provided for loan to everyone on the tour) to look for koalas in treetops and learn about plants and animals in a fun, engaging way. The walk is easy, even for little legs, and gives everyone plenty of time to stop and look around. It’s also pram friendly for the even littler ones (and free for kids aged 3 and under).

    We welcome everyone on our Dusk Discovery Tour and Dawn Discovery Tour, however given the early or later start time, and longer duration of the tour, sometimes they aren’t as suited to young kids.

Bookings & gift vouchers

  • It is highly recommended that you book in advance. We recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment, or a long wait when you arrive, especially in the busier months for the Great Ocean Road.

  • Your gift voucher or promotional code can be redeemed at the online checkout. If you have any trouble, please get in touch on (03) 7046 1664 or email us at info@wildlifewonders.org.au

  • When you make a booking with us online, our system will automatically email you a booking confirmation to the email address you entered. If you haven't received it, we recommend firstly checking your Junk Mail as they can sometimes default there. If you still cannot find the confirmation, please get in touch with our team and be sure to include your full name, email address, tour date and time and the booking reference if you have it.

  • Yes absolutely. Please get in touch to book your place on the tour.

  • Yes - so long as you let us know at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled tour time.

    If you wish to cancel a special booking (such as a private tour or school group), you must let us know at least 7 days prior to your scheduled tour time in order to receive a refund. You can read our Terms and Conditions here (Section 8) or contact us.

  • We will try! Please contact us as soon as possible and we will endeavour to accommodate your request. If we are unable to and you want to cancel, then please refer to our cancellation policy (Section 8).

Getting here & when you're here

  • Please have a look at our Getting Here page. If you have any other questions, feel free to get in touch,

  • Yes, there is ample parking for visitors at Wildlife Wonders. We are able to accommodate campervans, caravans, minibuses and coaches.

  • We suggest you aim to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of your tour.

    The Great Ocean Road is often busy, and your trip can take longer than you think. If you are running late, please call ahead on (03) 7046 1664 so we are able to discuss options with you. We’ll try our best to get you on your tour, or the next available tour but we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.

  • Yes, our tours run in almost all weather conditions and the bush is beautiful in the rain! We have loan ponchos to help keep you dry, and our Emu Cafe is the perfect place to warm up after your tour with a hot meal or coffee.

    Please note, we do reserve the right to delay or reschedule your tour if extreme weather threatens your safety. You can read more in our Terms & Conditions.

Other

  • Dogs are welcome in our Emu Cafe outdoor seating area under supervision and on a lead.

    For the safety and health of the wildlife in the Sanctuary, no dogs are permitted to enter the Visitor Centre or Sanctuary.


    Registered Assistance Dogs: Working registered assistance dogs are permitted in the Visitor Centre and inside Emu Cafe however for the safety and health of the wildlife, Registered Assistance Dogs are not permitted in the Sanctuary.

    If you are visiting with an assistance dog and would like to go on a tour through the Sanctuary, we would be pleased to work with you to arrange a quiet place for your dog to wait while you are on tour – please contact us to discuss your options.

  • Thank you for caring. First of all, make sure you are safe by keeping your distance and if driving, that you are parked in a safe designated parking space. Please don’t touch the injured animal or bird, instead make note of your location along with any other information and call Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300. They will give you the correct advice over the phone and if necessary, send out a member of their rescue team. Contact Wildlife Victoria

If you haven’t been able to find the answer to your question, we’d love you to get in touch so we can try and help. You can call us on (03) 7046 1664, email us at info@wildlifewonders.org.au or you can use the live chat. Thanks.