Get Exclusive Access to My Top 10 International Travel Tips - Subscribe Now!
Tasmania is a unique travel destination that has a lot of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Located south of the Australian mainland, this island’s most famous animal is probably the Tasmanian Devil.
While this species has recently suffered a huge loss in population, there is still a guaranteed way to see this creature: Visit the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo!
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Unzoo and seeing not only the Tasmanian Devils, but also dozens of other native widlife species.
Table of Contents
What is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo?
The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is a unique wildlife experience in Tasmania. It focuses on conserving native wildlife while providing an immersive and interactive experience for guests.
The majority of animals roam freely here, hence the name “unzoo“. The owners of the park planted and designed natural habitats for the wildlife without boundary fences, so animals can choose to come and go when they please.
It is also a sanctuary for Tasmanian Devils. They are brought and bred here in order to increase their dwindling population.
Where is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo?
The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is located in Tasmania, Australia. It is about 10 minutes north of Port Arthur and about an hour east of Hobart.
How to Get to the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo
Rental Car
I highly recommend renting a car while in Tasmania! It is very easy and convenient to get around the island this way. The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is connected to major highways and you must pass it to get to Port Arthur.
Rental cars are very affordable as well. I got a car from Ace Rental Cars in Hobart for 33 AUD/day ($21 USD/day in 2023, see current rates here).
Check out RentalCars.com to find the best option!
Via Tour
You also have the option to book a tour to take you directly to the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo. There are a couple of options that take you there from Hobart, with options for additional stops.
Tasmanian Tiger Exhibit
Tasmanian tigers once roamed Tasmania. These unique creatures, also called thylacines, were once the largest marsupial predators in the world. They also had the unique distinction of having the widest jaws compared to the body size of any mammal in the world.
Unfortunately, they had a bounty put on them in the early 1900s and were pushed into extinction. The last one in captivity died in 1936. The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo has an exhibit dedicated to them that was very interesting to see.
Tasmanian Devils
Exhibits
At the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, the Tasmanian Devils are kept in enclosures. There are a few different areas where they are located, including one that has an underground viewing area for you to easily observe them.
A few different times during the day, a worker will come to feed the Tasmanian Devils. This is worth witnessing because they are nocturnal and usually sleep during the day. They wake up to get fed, so this may be the only time you see them running around.
When you arrive, you will be provided a map of the park along with the feeding times so you can plan to be there for it.
Facts about Tasmanian Devils
Here are some interesting facts that I learned about Tasmanian Devils while at the park:
- They have the biggest bite-to-weight ratio of any animal alive. Humans have 3/4, lions have 2/1, Tasmanian Devils have 15/1. This allows them to crush bones with their teeth.
- They are fully grown at 2 years old.
- Mothers have litters of about 40 babies. Each baby is the size of a grain of rice. Because the mothers only have four teets, only four babies will survive. The mother ends up eating the rest of the babies.
How did Tasmanian Devils get their name?
Certain indigenous Tasmanians referred to this animal as purinina.
When European settlers arrived in Tasmania, they were awoken at night by the sound of a loud, almost human-like scream. The settlers named them “devils” due to the sounds of their screams sounding like the Devil himself.
Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD)
Unfortunately, the future of Tasmanian Devils is uncertain. Recently, a cancer, known as DFTD, has developed in the wild population. This is the only cancer in the world that is contagious, and wild Tasmanian Devils spread it to each other through biting. This disease prevents the animals from being able to eat, and they eventually die.
In the past 20 years, 90% of the wild Tasmanian Devil population has been wiped out by this disease.
The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo serves as a sanctuary to help repopulate their numbers and eventually release them back into the wild.
Kangaroo Petting Zoo
Another highlight of this park is the enclosure that houses forester kangaroos and pademelons. This large area also contains a trough full of food from which you can feed these marsupials.
The forester kangaroos, native to Tasmania, are very docile and less aggressive than their Australian relatives. You are able to feed them and pet them as well. Just don’t try to touch any baby kangaroos or the mother might get aggressive!
I had never heard of pademelons before coming to this park. They are smaller than the kangaroos, brownish and color, and much more timid. They most likely won’t let you get close enough to them to feed them.
Other Wildlife in the Park
There are tons of native bird species in the park, including the noisy green rosella parrots and the large cape barren geese. The guide will also do a feeding at Little Norfolk Bay where you will see swans, bitterns, egrets, and seagulls.
In the creeks and ponds, there are several native freshwater fish and even some eels. The guide told me that he feeds the eels every day, but they may be difficult to spot.
I was lucky enough to see a Tasmanian short-beaked echidna crawling into his burrow. There are also snakes here, but they usually are only seen in the Summer (December to February).
In addition to the animals, there are several plant species that are endemic to Tasmania. The guide pointed out an extremely rare plant to me: the Davies’ Wax Flower. There are only 26 left in existence!
Where to Stay in Hobart
While Port Arthur is the closest town to the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, I recommend staying in Hobart. This is only a short 1-hour drive away and has much more options for accommodations.
The Wrest Point Hotel is one of the most popular hotels in Hobart. It is located right on the water and is a great spot for a romantic getaway.
If you are a budget traveler, I recommend staying at YHA Hobart Central. I stayed at this hostel for a few nights, and it was one of the most affordable options in the city. It is also conveniently located in the Central Business District (CBD).
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
Information About the Park
This post first appeared on Discover Cape Town: 10 Experiences You Don’t Want To Miss, please read the originial post: here
