Cool Animal Encounters

by Hobart Magazine

Tasmanians don’t slow down in winter and neither does our wildlife. Our isolation has sent evolution down some fascinating paths, and winter offers a chance to meet the unique creatures shaped by this place, along with some from much further afield. Rug up, head out, and meet Tasmania’s remarkable wildlife this Off Season.

MARVELLOUS MARSUPIALS Australia is the kingdom of marsupials and for many the first ones that come to mind are kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons. But it doesn’t stop there. Many of Australia’s most iconic animals are marsupials – including wombats, koalas, possums, quolls, and yes, the Tasmanian devil. Devils are nocturnal creatures, best observed at wildlife sanctuaries like Devils@ Cradle (devilsatcradle.com). During the Off Season, they offer a unique, intimate after-dark experience, where guests can see the devils in action while enjoying local treats, beverages, and marshmallows by the fire. It’s a memorable way to experience Tasmania’s most famous animal.

PECK-ULIAR PENGUINS Little penguins, also known as fairy penguins, are adorable birds often spotted along Tasmania’s coasts. The majority of Australia’s little penguin population lives here, and watching them waddle ashore at sunset is a real treat. Be sure to keep your distance and avoid disturbing them. Bicheno, on the east coast, is one of the best places to see little penguins. Stay at Cod Rock Point (codrockpoint.com.au) during the Off Season for beachside accommodation where penguins often wander through the gardens at dusk, an unforgettable sight. For a guided experience, Bicheno Penguin Tours (bichenopenguintours.com.au) offers one-hour evening tours with expert commentary on penguin behaviour, plus in the Off Season receive a penguin-themed memento to remember the night.

*Bicheno Penguin Tours. Pic: Tourism Australia*

FEED A FROGMOUTH It’s a branch! Or is it an owl?! No, it’s a tawny frogmouth! Indeed, these bigheaded birds are true masters of disguise, often mistaken for something else entirely. This Off Season, the keepers at Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary (trowunna.com.au) in Mole Creek will show you how to spot the frogmouths in their enclosure, and then you can hand-feed them. A great school holiday activity, and a brilliant way to get to know these charming birds a little better.

SALTY SEALIFE Beneath Tasmania’s waters lies a fascinating world teeming with marine life, and the Off Season is a perfect time to learn more about it. At the Low Head Lighthouse Marine Education Centre (museum.lowhead.com), visitors of all ages can explore engaging displays that give an insight into this world, including a crab larger than a penguin, a majestic white-bellied sea eagle, and a whale tooth. Join an hourly guided tour on Friday 11 or 18 July to experience the roar of the world’s only operational G-type diaphone foghorn. Just a short drive from Launceston, Seahorse World (seahorseworld.com.au) offers a 50-minute tour, starting in “The Cave” which is home to a selection of seahorses and sea dragons. Here you will learn about seahorses and their mysterious behaviour.

COOL CATTLE Ever seen robots milking cows? At Duck River Meadows Dairy (duckrivermeadowsdairy.com.au) in the lush north west, you can! On their Robotic Dairy and Cheese Tour this Off Season, you’ll watch cows choose when to be milked at their own leisure by high-tech machines, roam freely through paddocks, and even enjoy a back scratch. It’s cutting-edge farming with a focus on animal welfare because relaxed, happy cows mean top-quality milk. After the tour, taste the difference with farm-fresh cheese, Blue Hills honey, and artisan nuts. Finish your visit with a trio of homemade scones at the cosy Pavilions Café.

RAD REPTILES Tasmania’s cooler climate means fewer native reptiles, but at Serpentarium Wildlife Park (serpentarium.com.au) near St Helens, you can meet exotic, captive- bred reptiles from around the globe. Perfect for reptile lovers. Even if you’re a bit nervous, a close-up encounter with the gentle green anaconda might just change your mind. You’ll see these creatures in a new light: powerful, calm, and surprisingly graceful. Don’t miss the daily keeper presentation at 12 noon, where you can handle a python. In the Off Season, enjoy free kangaroo feeding and a behind-thescenes tour. Families with little scientists can also engage with the reptile library and microscope research desk. Finish your visit with a bite at the Rio’s Café.

RELAXED RODENTS You’ve laughed at the memes, now meet capybaras in real life at Wings Wildlife Park (wingswildlifepark.com.au), an hour from Devonport. This winter, you can pat, feed and scratch the world’s largest (and chillest) rodent. Stick around for the after-dark wildlife tour, running Wednesdays and Fridays from 7pm-8:30pm during the Off Season. With Tasmania’s largest collection of native wildlife, you’ll hold a sugar glider, meet a Tassie devil, and watch nocturnal animals like quolls and boobook owls feed under the spotlight. Cap it all off with hot chocolate and marshmallows by the fire.

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Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces- June 2026

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

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