Wild times await in this guide to Gorge Wildlife Park! [2024]

If you think cats and dogs are fascinating, wait until you see what the Adelaide Hills have in store at Gorge Wildlife Park.

From iconic Aussie kangaroos and vibrant rainbow lorikeets to exotic species like mischievous meerkats and suave cotton-top tamarins, this family-friendly park is a menagerie of all things wild.

And if you’re wondering what it’s like to have a face-off with a croc or wombat, we’ll share everything you need to know below—including entry fees and experiences you can’t pass up!

Things to Know

Address: 30 Redden Dr, Cudlee Creek SA 5232
Contact Details: (08) 8389 2206
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
General Admission:

Adult – $24
Children (3 to 15 years) – $14
Student and Concession – $21
Family Pass (2 adults and 2 children) – $66

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How to Get to Gorge Wildlife Park

By Bus: The most convenient way to reach the Gorge Wildlife Park via bus is to take the 541, 541G, or 541X bus lines. These will bring you to Stop 47 Hancock Rd – West side in Athelstone.

Your nearest alternatives include Stop 751 Mt Torrens Rd, Stop 75B Frick St – West side, and Stop 76 Ridge Rd – East side (all reachable via bus lines 830F, 834A, and 835).

By Taxi: Taxi fares to Gorge Wildlife Park start at $3.70 with an additional charge of $1.87 per kilometer.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the starting fee rises to $4.90, with a distance rate of $2.16 per kilometer. Additional fees, such as the Airport Rank Fee and toll road charges, may apply, and credit card payments incur a maximum surcharge of 5%.

By Car: Unfortunately, Gorge Wildlife Park doesn’t provide on-site parking. The two nearest parking lots are the Anstey Hill Carpark (17 minutes away) and Bushland Park Carpark (12 minutes away).

Encounters and Programs

Koala Holding

Our team will never pass on the chance of cuddling a koala, so paying 15 bucks for a 2-minute cuddle session with these marsupials is a deal we took.

We snapped pics, patted, and hugged the tree-hugging leaf-lovers at around 11:30 am, but if you’re late, there’s another session at 2:30 pm.

Don’t forget your kids too, as anyone under 130 centimeters can enter for free. However, they need to be taller than the height limit to get the special privilege of holding the koalas

Be sure to arrive 5 minutes early for a quick briefing. It’s also important to check the temperature; if Adelaide hits 32°C, you can’t hold the koalas and must stick to close-up viewing.

Private Koala Encounter

If you want to spend more time with the koalas, the private Koala Encounter is your best bet. Sure, it’s pricier at $40, but you’ll get 15 minutes of exclusive cuddle time with the adorable furballs.

The only downsides are the temperature and height restrictions (similar to the first encounter) and the availability. Private sessions are only available on weekdays.

Meerkat Encounter

The Meerkat Encounter is where you should be heading if you love Timon from The Lion King. For $40, you can watch these social and spirited animals forage, stand guard, and play like toddlers on a sugar rush.

You can even sit down, feed the meerkats tasty snacks, and watch them munch away right in your lap while soaking up fun and interesting facts from the keepers.

In terms of key rules and tips, visitors must be at least 8 years old, and those under 16 should enter with an adult in tow. Rocking some enclosed, flat shoes, and long pants is also highly advised.

You must also prepare for uneven ground, which isn’t ideal for wheelchairs or walkers.

Capybara Encounter

Never crossed paths with a capybara before? Imagine a guinea pig but supersized. That’s a capybara for you, the world’s largest rodent.

For a cool $40, you can interact with these fascinating creatures at Gorge Wildlife Park’s Capybara Encounter. Guests can take pics and watch them wolf down their favorite snacks for about 15 to 20 minutes.

This encounter opens at 2 pm, but you should arrive at least 5 minutes before it starts. Oh, and remember that the capybaras’ location also has uneven terrain. Wear enclosed, flat footwear.

Quokka Encounter

Quokkas are some of the cutest critters at Gorge Wildlife Park park. In case you’re not familiar, these cheerful marsupials are dubbed the “world’s happiest animal,” thanks to their friendly, seemingly smiling faces.

We saw quite a few of them, and some even came right up to us! No surprise though. The guides said quokkas are social butterflies, living in groups and approaching humans just out of pure curiosity.

As for the fee, it’s 40 bucks again. This payment will allow you to snap selfies and feed the photogenic, ever-cheerful charmers.

Reptile Presentation

Swing by on a Saturday or Sunday at 1:30 pm, and you’ll enjoy a reptile presentation up-close and personal. The only question is, are you brave enough to do it?

During the presentation, Gorge Wildlife Park’s keepers will roll out the scaly carpet featuring everything from boa constrictors and carpet pythons to young freshwater crocodiles and American alligators.

Furthermore, you’ll meet more foreign species, such as Mertens water monitors, Fijian crested iguanas, and Aldabra tortoises—all for absolutely free.

Just keep in mind that the reptiles on show might change depending on the day’s conditions and temperature. There are also no shows on the month’s last Sunday.

Unleashed

When it comes to getting a general taste of Gorge Wildlife Park, Unleashed probably is the best presentation. Think of it as an all-access pass to the animal kingdom, happening every last Sunday of the month from 12:30 pm to 3 pm.

From slithery (slightly scary) snakes to cuddly guinea pigs and everything in between, Unleashed will let you feel the fur, rustle feathers, and touch scales of mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Ring-Tailed Lemur Encounter

Our team loves King Julian from Madagascar, so the Ring-Tailed Lemur Encounter is one of our visit’s highlights.

These lemurs, aside from being famous for “moving it,” are known for their distinctive ringed tails, arboreal lifestyle, sunbathing behavior, and unique facial markings.

We saw these characteristics in full display for 40 bucks. The bonus is that we were allowed to feed them their favorite bites—fruits, leaves, and flowers!

Other Facilities

BBQ and Picnic Areas

After a day of embracing the wild side, we kicked back, relaxed, and soaked up the vibes at Gorge Wildlife Park’s BBQ and picnic areas.

The laid-back zone flaunts an expansive lawn, with well-shaded zones and free electric BBQs. For us though, the gazebo-type seating near the kiosk is the perfect picnic spot in the wildlife park; it adds a classy feel without losing the natural appeal.

There are also no restrictions on bringing your own food and drinks, so don’t hold back and end your day—backyard BBQ-style.

The Gift Shop

Don’t worry; we won’t blame you if you splurge out at Gorge Wildlife Park’s gift shop (we did, too).

The store is a treasure trove of wildlife-themed mementos. Our team’s best buys include novelty items, cuddle-worthy stuffed animals, and t-shirts showing the beauty of the wild!

Where to Eat in Gorge Wildlife Park

Cudlee Creek Restaurant Tavern and Caravan Park

From simon_lyons25

Contact Details: (08) 8389 2319
Pricing: $$
Website

A 1-minute ride away from the wildlife park, Cudlee Creek Tavern and Caravan Park is an unbeatable spot for feasting before and after spending a day with animals. They’re known for wallet-friendly prices and large servings, ideal for fams or crews.

Some of their specialties include schnitzels and hamburgers with generous fries. Early birds can also opt for pancake stacks, shakshuka, and the ever-famous bacon and eggs combo.

For the little ones, there’s a kid-friendly menu with crumbed calamari, nut sundae, and nuggets.

The Cudlee Cafe

Contact Details: (08) 8389 2278
Pricing: $$
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With riverside views and lush surroundings, Cudlee Cafe, a rustic spot 3 minutes away from the park, offers a break from life’s chaos.

We ate in their garden doubling as a nature playground for the kiddos. This clean-and-green area is complete with wooden forts, bridges, and a slide.

As for the food, expect to clean up homemade, no-nonsense dishes. The favorites among our team are the egg rolls, cakes, and beef burgers, which are best eaten with a cup of tea or coffee by the river.