Cleland Wildlife Park (solo trip)
How Solo-Friendly is Cleland Wildlife Park?
What makes it 86% Solo-Friendly: A solo visitor can roam flat bush trails, join keeper talks, pat a koala and book reptile holds without arranging others, yet scarce public transport means self-drive or paid tour is usually required.
Positives:
- Free parking and easy driving: Parking is plentiful and free; best reached by car or rideshare.
- Flexible solo pace: You can spend extra time at any enclosure without group constraints.
- Friendly staff: Keepers welcome solo visitors to ask questions during talks.
Challenges:
- Limited public transport: No direct bus service; a car or taxi is recommended to reach the park.
- Hilly terrain: Some trails have uneven ground; wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uphill walks.
What is Cleland Wildlife Park?
- A wildlife park located 19 kilometres southeast of Adelaide, set within the eucalypt forests and rolling hills of Cleland Conservation Park
- A conservation-driven sanctuary housing native Australian fauna—koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and reptiles—in naturalistic enclosures and open bush habitats
- A government-managed facility dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation, research and environmental education within a protected bushland reserve
What is so special about Cleland Wildlife Park for solo trip?
- Wander free-roaming wildlife on self-guided trails
- Pat a koala in a daily, no-booking session
- Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies for close encounters
- Learn from keeper talks and paid reptile sessions
- Enjoy flexible pacing with free parking and maps
Recommended visit duration: 4-5 hours
Why 4-5 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: Covers self-guided trails, feeding sessions and a paid keeper-led experience without rushing.
Solo-Friendly Activities in Cleland Wildlife Park
Self-guided trails:
Pick up the free map and wander signposted paths to see free-roaming kangaroos, wallabies and birds.
Tip: Start at the highest point to catch morning light and wildlife activity.
Pat a Koala:
Join the daily meet-and-pet session to gently touch a koala under keeper supervision.
Tip: Arrive 10 minutes early; sessions fill up fast.
Keeper Talks:
Attend scheduled talks at the dingo and koala enclosures to learn animal behaviors.
Tip: Check the timetable at the visitor counter to plan around talks.
Hand-feeding the animals:
Buy a small bag of feed to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies in open enclosures.
Tip: Hold food flat in your palm; step back to let shy wallabies approach.
Reptile Experience:
Book a keeper-led session to handle snakes or lizards and learn their care.
Tip: Reserve your spot online at least a day before; inquire about availability early.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Cleland Wildlife Park
- Arrive early: Begin your visit at opening time to see kangaroos grazing in cooler conditions.
- Download map: Grab a PDF trail map online to plan your route and avoid backtracking.
- Pack water and snacks: Carry a refillable bottle and light snacks to skip café queues.
Reviews of Cleland Wildlife Park
Vince Roberts
Great experience getting to see some animals up close and getting to feed them. Lots of kangaroos to feed in a big, open area. (They also have roped-off sections where the kangaroos can go to keep people away from them if they are tired. That was nice for the roos!) Nice park with different animals and birds to see. Highly recommended for people of any age!
Aerwyn
It's good 3.5, the area is large and clean, the animals are well looked after. I was slightly disappointed in the lack of different species/animals but the ones that are there are well kept & surrounded by more of a natural setting. If you're looking for a nice open nature park, this one is for you. If you want more variety of animals, go to Gorge Wildlife Park.
Shane Ellis
Overall Parks ok did enjoy the visit, just a couple little areas that I think need work, one of those been the males toilets which were reasonably clean except the hand dryers, one wasn’t work and the other one is absolutely filthy I opted to dry my hands on my jumper as I didn’t want to put my hands in there before eating. Food was ok just need a better explanation on your Ham toasted wraps as ...
Brooke J
12 Years since my last visit and I’m so pleased to see the park is still doing great! A wonder experience to walk around and seeing the animals have the freedom to roam around without tight caged restrictions like other zoos. Highly recommend their animal experiences on top of an explore around the park!
Eason Lai
Excellent wildlife park in Adelaide. I have visited various wildlife parks in Australia, which are the best in my experience. The park is clean, very animal-friendly, looks excellent, and the staff are friendly and can feel their passion and love for the animals. The koala experience is fantastic; it makes my day and life. Transportation to this park is not convenient, but it's great to make it se...
When is the best time to visit Cleland Wildlife Park (Adelaide, Australia)?
Summer: start before 10am to avoid heat on trails. Winter: bring a jacket and join a night walk. Spring: spot wildflowers along paths. Autumn: watch kangaroos grazing at dusk.
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Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Adult entry | AUD 28 |
| Hand-feeding food bag | AUD 5 |
| Coffee at café | AUD 7 |
| Total Estimated | AUD 40 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of Cleland Wildlife Park
Address: 365 Mount Lofty Summit Rd, Crafers SA 5152, Australia
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About Cleland Wildlife Park
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+61 8 8339 244410 BEST nearby Activities
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