UPDATED FEB 2020. The Territory Wildlife Park is one of my go-to spots to take visitors and even though I’ve been there maybe 15 times over the years, it’s still a place I can go and have a fun time. In my opinion, it’s better than all the parks in and around Darwin and the drive outside of the city is well worth it. In the park, you can see a wide range of native animals, participate in interactive exhibits, and take bushwalks amongst the peaceful outback scenery. I hope this practical guide can help you plan your own day trip to the Territory Wildlife Park.
A Guide To Visiting The Territory Wildlife Park From Darwin, Australia
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FAQ for visiting the Territory Wildlife Park
Where is the Territory Wildlife Park located?
Berry Springs, about 45 minutes drive from Darwin.
What is the cost?
$32AUD per adult.
What should you bring with you?
- Water bottle – these are good for travel
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Good walking shoes
- Snacks or picnic lunch (there is also a cafe in the park if you prefer to buy lunch)
- Camera – I took my GoPro and the Sony Alpha a6000 is my other favorite travel camera.
is my other favorite travel camera.What are the highlights?
Kangaroos, wetland, nocturnal house, interactive experiences.
How to get to the Territory Wildlife Park from Darwin
I recommend renting a car during your visit to Darwin and the surrounding areas because of how spread out things are and the limited public transport options once you get out of the city.
For driving, you will be able to put ‘Territory Wildlife Park’ into Google Maps and it will take you there.
There is no public transport option to get to the park.
There is an on-demand shuttle service to the park through Ethical Adventures if you cannot rent a car.
How to get around the park
To make your way around the park you have the option of following the walking tracks or taking the shuttle bus, free of charge, which stops in front of the enclosures.
I enjoy taking the walking tracks because the natural setting is very serene, but it can get quite hot especially in the hotter times of the day.
Whether you walk, take the shuttle, or do a mix of both, I recommend packing a hat and water bottle to help cope with the heat.
The aquarium and the nocturnal house are air-conditioned so take your time through these enclosures and enjoy the cool temperature before heading back out.
If you are taking the walking tracks, it’s easy to guide yourself through the park by following the trails, signs, and your map.
The opening hours from 8:30am – 6pm every day so there is plenty of time to get through all of the enclosures without having to rush.
What to see and do there
There’s lots of wildlife – obviously.
Some of the enclosures, such as the walkthrough aviary and the kangaroo enclosure, are open enclosures, allowing you the chance to walk through with the animals roaming around you.
This was really cool to have birds flying around and kangaroos hopping past you.
Other enclosures, such as snakes, are (thankfully) within a glass enclosure or behind a barrier of some sort.
There are a number of presentations throughout the day where you can learn more about wildlife from the keepers. I highly recommend the Flight Deck Presentation.
If you’d like to learn about what it’s like to work there, the Territory Wildlife Park is featured in my new book “Your Vacation, My Office
“. This book profiles people who work in travel around the world to give you a behind the scenes look into their incredible offices.
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Wild encounters to add to your visit
If you’d like to get even more up close with wildlife, you can add on a wild encounter to your visit. These come with an additional cost from $5 to $15 and can be a really fun experience.
I have done the ‘River Rays’ wild encounter and it did not disappoint.
During this encounter, I was able to hand-feed wild river rays during the keeper presentation. To be honest, I would not have ever thought that rays had so much personality, but they definitely do.
There was the dominant bully who came up to us at speed and splashed water at us, reminding us who was in charge of this enclosure. Others were gentler and younger rays who were much timider and gentle.
There are lots of cool animal encounters to experience at the Territory Wildlife Park.
What to eat
There is a cafe in the park where you could buy coffee, snacks, or lunch.
I usually get a drink or an ice cream here but it is a little expensive to eat a full lunch so an alternative is to pack a lunch and have it at the picnic tables on-site or at the Berry Springs Nature Reserve afterward.
Be sure to keep your food in your bag when you go through the open enclosures so the animals can’t get to your food.
Visiting Berry Springs Nature Reserve afterward
A good add-on adventure is to combine your visit to the Territory Wildlife Park with a swim at the Berry Springs Nature Reserve which is a five-minute drive away.
It’s a scenic, natural swimming hole to cool off in after the big day with the animals. The fresh, cool water is so refreshing after all the walking around at the Wildlife Park and the whole area is so peaceful.
If you’d like to get a meal while you are in Berry Springs, I recommend trying the Berry Springs Tavern for a pub style meal which is about 5 minutes drive from the park.
Where to stay in Darwin
If you will be staying in Darwin, I recommend the Mantra on the Esplanade which is where I usually stay when I am staying in town.
Novotel is my other go-to option.
Other guides to help you plan your visit to Darwin
Darwin Bucket List – Things To Do That You Don’t Want To Miss
How To Plan A Day Trip To Litchfield National Park – Darwin, Australia
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