Set in the Cleland Conservation Park, just 20 minutes outside Adelaide, Cleland Wildlife Park is home to a wealth of Australian animals, most of them roaming free. It’s possible to hand-feed native fauna, including kangaroos, wallabies, and emus, while the park offers up-close experiences with koalas, wombats, and more.
The BasicsThere is a significant charge to enter the Cleland Wildlife Park, with additional fees payable for close-up experiences, night tours, and guided tours. Many visitors choose simply to buy a bag of animal feed and explore independently, getting close to the animals by hand-feeding, but others prefer the convenience of a tour. Koala experiences are the park’s signature attraction, enabling travelers to get up close and personal with this lovable and uniquely Australian creature.
Things to Know Before You Go- Cleland Wildlife Park is a must for families with kids, and animal lovers in general.
- A number of wildlife experiences, including wombat feeding and koala feeding, require booking ahead.
- As with the rest of the Cleland Conservation Park, pets are not allowed in Cleland Wildlife Park.
- Cleland Wildlife Park offers accessible bathrooms, wheelchair rental, and accessible paths.
How to Get ThereCleland Wildlife Park sits on the slopes of Mount Lofty, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of central Adelaide. There is ample free parking, while the 864F and 864 buses from Grenfell Street connect to the 823 bus to the park a couple of times a day. Given the infrequent public transport, many travelers prefer the convenience of an organized tour with door-to-door round-trip private transfers.
When to Get ThereCleland Wildlife Park is open morning to afternoon seven days a week excluding Christmas Day and days of catastrophic fire danger. It is at its busiest on weekends, bank holidays, and over the Australian school holidays; aim to visit midweek if possible. Note that koala experiences will be canceled on days when the forecast goes above 90°F (32°C), and keeper talks will be canceled on days above 99°F (37°C).
Animal Magic at Cleland Wildlife ParkAustralia’s unique wildlife is a major draw for visitors from around the world. Cleland Wildlife Park offers a range of different habitats, from wetlands to eucalyptus. Marsupials at the park include koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and potoroos, while other Australian species include echidnas, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils. Pelicans are common in the wetlands.
