Discover some of Australia’s most beautiful and unique animals at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

This conservation sanctuary is dedicated to protecting native animals and rehabilitating them so that they may return to their wild habitats. For over twenty years the sanctuary has been working to ensure that native flora and fauna can thrive within their boundaries.

With over 2,000 hectares of land used to protect native species, Hanson Bay Wildlife Park is a fantastic addition to any Kangaroo Island trip. The sanctuary is one of Australia’s most bio-diverse and well-maintained areas, with over 200 species of native plants on their grounds.

The sanctuary provides visitors with an opportunity to get up close and personal with native Australian animals, while their friendly staff are happy to tell you all about the magnificent species on display.

Wildlife at the sanctuary

From koala to kangaroo, wallaby to possum and even echidna, the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has an array of wildlife for you to meet. Take a stroll along the koala walk, where you can get up close and personal with the critters, remember though no touching!

There are plenty of magnificent bird watching opportunities here too. With such a well-maintained eco-system, wild birds flock to the sanctuary, finding serenity in the lush native gardens. Look for blue wrens, scarlet robins, black cockatoos, crimson rosellas and crescent honey-eaters. You can find a rainbow of birdlife to enjoy. Remember to bring your binoculars and camera to capture the moment, you won’t regret it!

Tours of the sanctuary

The Sanctuary has daytime tours taking you to behind the scenes areas so you can learn more about the work the magnificent staff do. The educational discovery walks will see you leave with some awesome photos and even better memories of seeing these animals in person. A tour is one of the best ways to see the wildlife in the park, as the staff know all the hiding spots their resident animals might be!

If you’re spending the night on the island, join one of their magnificent nocturnal tours. The parks night tours are a fantastic way to see some of Kangaroo Island’s nocturnal animals. Learn all about what happens when you’re sleeping and how the cover of night makes even the smallest and most innocent looking animals seem like the most ferocious on the island.

A brief history

The Sanctuary hasn’t always looked like it does today though. The land was first purchased in the 1960s as part of a 10,000-acre parcel by a man named Kaye Gibbs. He named the land KB Downs and planned to develop it however only managed to get through 15% before he sold it in 1997.

His mark can still be seen, with a collection of cabins he developed still sitting along the coastline. Though the land first opened as a sanctuary in 1997, it wasn’t until 2004 the current owners took over.

The Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to see wildlife on Kangaroo Island. Plan your visit today to see some of Australia’s most famous native animals up close and personal in their stunning wild habitat.

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