Cleland Wildlife Park

Cleland Wildlife Park is a beautiful area nestled in the Lofty Ranges about 60 minutes from home. We have now visited the park twice; once in spring and then during December when my daughter (Vanessa) and her husband (Grant) came to visit.

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Besides the Koalas they also have the three of the five kangaroo species within the park as well as two of thirty (some extinct) species of wallaby along with Wombats, Emus, Echidnas, a pack of Dingoes and a whole host of bird varieties.

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A number of the animals are free to roam around the park and the visitor is encouraged to feed them and touch them. The animals are mostly ones that have been rescued and although not domesticated appear to have lost the fear of humans. The kangaroos in particular will come up to you and readily take food (which they sell at the entrance) from the open hand and then be kind enough allow you to give them a slight soft stroke.

Each visit that we have had has been unique and on each occasion we saw something new or the same animal but in a different circumstance which makes each experience different. No doubt we will be back again and again. I particular I would like to go and sit in one of the aviaries and just watch the birds going about their daily tasks.

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With the Koalas being so unique and different to anything else that one has seen around the world they absolutely captivated me and it was instant love. They are simply adorable and considering how vulnerable they are it is great work that Cleland are doing in giving these a home. Most of the animals that they have are rescued and in particular from the many bush fires that occur annually around in Adelaide.

If you would like to see more photographs of the visit click here.