Information
Landmark: Bonorong Wildlife SanctuaryCity: Hobart
Country: Australia
Continent: Australia
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Hobart, Australia, Australia
Overview
Just a short drive from Hobart, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Brighton is a conservation park you shouldn’t miss, where you might hear the rustle of a wombat in the grass.It’s known for rescuing injured Tasmanian wildlife, nursing them back to health, and working tirelessly to protect their natural habitats.The sanctuary offers a refuge for injured, orphaned, and sick animals, and it doubles as a place where visitors can learn about Tasmania’s rare wildlife-like the shy, spotted quoll-and why protecting these creatures matters.First.At Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, teams rush to rescue injured Tasmanian animals and work tirelessly to nurse them back to health, from tiny orphaned possums to battered seabirds.The sanctuary teams up with wildlife rescue groups and local vets to care for injured or sick animals, tending to broken wings or matted fur so they can heal and, when they’re ready, return to the wild.The sanctuary is best known for caring for the Tasmanian devil, a species hit hard by Devil Facial Tumour Disease, which leaves painful, swollen growths on their faces.Alongside its rehabilitation work, Bonorong runs breeding programs for threatened and endangered species, from tiny skinks to rare, bright-eyed bettongs.One of its key projects is a Tasmanian devil breeding program, designed to keep this iconic species alive by pairing animals with care-like matching a feisty male with a calm female-to protect genetic diversity and secure the population’s future.Education and advocacy go hand in hand here-the sanctuary works tirelessly to show people why protecting wildlife matters, from the quiet grace of a heron lifting off a pond to the fragile balance of its habitat.Bonorong creates lively, hands-on experiences to help people understand Tasmania’s threatened species and the pressures they face-like shrinking forests, spreading disease, and the marks humans leave behind.Number two sits there, simple and solid, like a coin on the table.Bonorong is home to an incredible mix of iconic Tasmanian wildlife, from curious wombats to rare creatures you won’t spot anywhere else on Earth.Visitors can step right up to meet some of Tasmania’s best-known, one-of-a-kind creatures, from the soft-nosed wombat to the sharp-eyed Tasmanian devil.Tasmanian Devil: The sanctuary’s star attraction is the Tasmanian devil, often seen pacing its enclosure with a low, throaty growl.This fierce, meat-eating marsupial-its raspy, night-time screeches carry far through the bush-has been hit hard by Devil Facial Tumour Disease, a contagious cancer that's wiped out much of the wild population.Bonorong cares for injured animals, nursing them back to health, and runs a breeding program to keep the population steady, like raising tiny joeys until they’re strong enough for the wild.At Bonorong, you can spot the Eastern quoll-a small, sharp-eyed marsupial once common across Tasmania, now struggling to survive as its forests shrink and predators like foxes move in.The sanctuary runs a breeding program to help the Eastern quoll survive, giving the small, spotted marsupials a safe place to rest and recover.At Bonorong, visitors can meet wombats-stout, burrowing marsupials from Australia that shuffle along with an unhurried gait.Bonorong rescues and nurses injured or orphaned wombats, and a few friendly ones will waddle right up for a scratch, making the visit unforgettable.The sanctuary is home to a lively mix of kangaroos and wallabies, from towering red kangaroos to soft-furred eastern greys, along with several other wallaby species.Visitors get to hand-feed these iconic animals and watch them nibble gently from their palms, all within a safe, well-managed space.Koalas aren’t native to Tasmania, but you can sometimes spot one dozing in the gum-scented enclosures at Bonorong.They’re part of the sanctuary’s push to teach people about Australian wildlife and the challenges its species face, from dwindling habitats to the echo of chainsaws in old-growth forests.Bonorong also looks after a variety of native animals, from prickly echidnas and curious possums to stealthy quolls and the chatter of local birdlife.The sanctuary offers indoor halls and open-air paths where visitors can discover these animals and the places they call home, from shaded forest corners to sunlit grasslands.Number three sat alone on the page, sharp and dark like fresh ink.At Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, visitors of all ages can hand-feed kangaroos, meet rescued animals up close, and join hands-on programs that teach and inspire.You can feel the sanctuary’s dedication to conservation and animal care in every moment, from the quiet rustle of leaves on the walking trail to the gentle way staff greet the animals.Guided Tours: At Bonorong, friendly staff lead you through the sanctuary, sharing vivid stories about the animals, glimpses of their wild homes, and the conservation work keeping them safe.At the sanctuary, visitors get to meet each animal, hear how it was rescued, and discover the hard struggles it faces back in the wild-like finding food when the river runs low.Animal Encounters: At the sanctuary, you can get right up to the animals, hand them a crisp carrot, and feel their warm breath as you feed and interact with them.Feeding kangaroos by hand and getting up close to a wombat are some of the crowd favorites.Through these hands-on moments, visitors can meet wildlife up close-feeling the soft brush of feathers-while staying safe and treating the animals with respect.Bonorong offers night tours, giving visitors the chance to watch Tasmanian devils and quolls prowl and rustle through the dark in their natural habitat.On the night tours, you get the rare chance to watch the sanctuary’s animals move and call just as they do in the wild.At Bonorong, you can get up close to the animals and also join engaging programs and talks that shine a light on why conservation matters-like hearing how a rescued wombat found its way back to the wild.These programs share details on preserving habitats, protecting biodiversity, and simple ways-like planting native trees-people can help safeguard Tasmania’s wildlife.Number four.At Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword-it’s a commitment.The team works hard to shrink their environmental footprint, from cutting waste to reusing rainwater.The sanctuary has rolled out several eco-friendly measures, from trimming waste and cutting energy use to saving water-right down to fixing leaky taps.It also focuses on caring for animals sustainably, reaching for natural, eco-friendly products whenever it can-like bedding made from untreated hemp.Bonorong’s state-of-the-art rehab spaces give injured or sick animals the best possible care, from quiet recovery rooms to clean enclosures where they can rest in safety.The sanctuary teams up with local wildlife vets to make sure every animal gets top-notch care, from careful checkups to gentle hands during treatment.Research and Partnerships: Bonorong teams up with universities, field researchers, and local groups to push wildlife conservation forward, from tagging rescued wombats to restoring native habitats.That means working with local universities, wildlife groups, and government agencies to study the hurdles native species face-like shrinking habitats-and to craft conservation plans that actually work.Five.Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary sits about a half-hour’s drive north of Hobart, an easy trip for the day-just follow the winding highway past fields dotted with grazing sheep.Tucked into the quiet bushland, the sanctuary offers the perfect place for injured wildlife to recover and for visitors to watch a wallaby hop through the trees.You can easily drive to the sanctuary, and there’s plenty of parking-enough for rows of cars under the shade of tall oaks.It’s close to public transport, so you can catch a bus or hail a taxi just a short walk from the door.If you’re staying overnight,
