Gorge Wildlife Park Cudlee Creek

Gorge Wildlife Park is unique in that it allows visitors to get up close and personal with an array of different wildlife species.

It’s a family friendly place to learn about, enjoy and experience a variety of animals housed on 14 acres of land.  On entering the park there are paths that meander off in different directions, taking you through a range of open space areas to enjoy at your own pace.  The park has walk through enclosures, a water fowl lake, a walk through indoor aviary, a kids’ zoo and many individual enclosures, all home to 50 species of animals and 160 species of birds.

As you would expect there are all your favourite Australian animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, dingoes and Tasmanian devils.  You can leave the path and venture onto the grass to hand feed the kangaroos and wallabies, including quite a few rare albinos.  We arrived first thing in the morning and found them all to be quite keen to take a nibble, but by the afternoon they seemed to have had their full and were more interested in taking a nap!

There is also a great collection of exotic animals we didn’t expect to see, such as a number of monkey species and even a leopard.  The more interesting animals also included raptors, fruit bats, meerkats, otters and alligators.

There is a surprisingly large variety of birds on display, including  ostriches, emus, owls, eagles, cockatoos (including black cockatoos), pelicans and plenty of water fowl.  The more unusual birds include brolgas, jabirus, cassowaries and rheas.  Most of the birds are in enclosures, but many of the birds are free to explore the grounds.

Reptile House

The small reptile house was quite impressive in the dark – once inside with the door closed, the glass fronts on the displays were so clear it looked as if the reptiles could just walk (climb or slither!) straight towards you.  As well as reptiles there are fish, insects, amphibians and marsupials.

Gorge Wildlife Park Koala Holding

One of the highlights at Gorge Wildlife Park is the Koala Holding!  The cute, cuddly koalas are brought out for holding every day at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm.  You can choose to just pat them or those old enough can have a hold.  A great photo taking opportunity!

 (Note – when the forecast for Adelaide is 36 degrees or higher they only hold one session at 11.30am).

Unleashed at Gorge Wildlife Park

On the last Sunday of each month is the Unleashed activity – a group of keepers roam the park between 12.30pm and 3.30pm with a variety of animals, birds and reptiles.  Visitors are offered the opportunity to get up close and personal with a few of the animals that are normally kept out of reach.

This activity can include touching a snake, seeing the dingo’s being walked or touching one of the bird species.  (Note – Unleashed sessions are not held when the forecast for Adelaide is below 15 degrees or 32 degrees and above).

Gorge Wildlife Park Kiosk

The front entrance has a kiosk that sells a range of take-away food as well as hot and cold drinks.  There is also a selection of ice-creams and confectionery.  Here you can also purchase bags of pellets & grain to feed many of the park’s animals – highly recommended and the children’s favourite part of their visit.  There is also a selection of souvenirs such as cheap novelty items, cards, t-shirts and soft toys.

What to bring

As with most outings we always pack a bag with drinks and snacks.  If you bring your own lunch you can sit down and enjoy a break at one of the picnic areas.    There are a few tables and benches, but for the lawn areas be sure to bring a picnic rug.  There is a BBQ facility with gas barbeques (no additional charge) which is undercover and can seat in excess of 60 people.

Overall Gorge Wildlife Park is an easy, enjoyable day out with plenty to see and a lot to learn.  Getting to Cuddlee Creek is a pleasant drive through the Adelaide Hills.  The paths are pram friendly and the park layout is simple to navigate.  Be sure to pick up a Visitor’s Guide on the way in so you don’t miss anything!

What:   Gorge Wildlife Park

When:   All Year (closed Christmas Day)  |  9am – 5pm

Where:   Redden Drive, Cudlee Creek (see map)

Who:   All Ages

Click here for more information via the Gorge Wildlife Park website.