Opening Hours & Getting Here

At our beautiful home on the Great Ocean Road you will find the Sanctuary, our welcoming Visitor Centre, Emu Cafe and Gift & Book Shop.

We welcome everyone into our Visitor Centre, Emu Cafe, and Gift & Book Shop - however the Sanctuary is experienced only on a booked guided tour. See tour availability and book. All tours depart from and return to the Visitor Centre.

A group of people walking on a nature trail surrounded by lush greenery, including trees and ferns, led by a guide in a blue raincoat.

Wildlife Wonders Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is open 7 days a week, for guided tours only.

For tour times and availability please check here.

Wildlife Wonders Sanctuary is closed on these days in 2025: Good Friday April 18, ANZAC Day 25 April, King's Birthday 9 June, Christmas Day 25 December, and Boxing Day 26 December.

If you are interested in making a special booking, please call us on (03) 7046 1664 or get in touch at info@wildlifewonders.org.au to discuss what may be possible.

Outdoor cafe scene with people sitting and talking at tables, surrounded by greenery and a kangaroo statue on the side.

Wildlife Wonders Visitor Centre

The Wildlife Wonders Visitor Centre is open 7 days a week from 9:30am until 3:30pm.

Wildlife Wonders Visitor Centre is closed on these days in 2025: Good Friday April 18, ANZAC Day 25 April, King's Birthday 9 June, Christmas Day 25 December, and Boxing Day 26 December.

Group of people eating at a table with an emu outside a large window.

Emu Cafe at Wildlife Wonders

Emu Cafe at Wildlife Wonders is open 7 days a week from 9:30am until 3:30pm.

The full menu is available until 2:30pm.

2:30pm - 3:30pm coffee and sweet treats available.

Emu Cafe is closed on these days in 2025: Good Friday April 18, ANZAC Day 25 April, King's Birthday 9 June, Christmas Day 25 December, and Boxing Day 26 December.

Wildlife Wonders Gift & Book Shop

Interior of a gift shop with wooden shelves displaying books, stuffed animals, and art prints. A unique tree-like wooden structure holds various products. The store has a bright, open design with art on the walls and track lighting.

The Wildlife Wonders Gift & Book Shop is open 7 days a week from 9:30am until 3:30pm

Wildlife Wonders Gift & Book Shop is closed on these days in 2025: Good Good Friday April 18, ANZAC Day 25 April, King's Birthday 9 June, Christmas Day 25 December, and Boxing Day 26 December.

Getting to Wildlife Wonders

Aerial view of a coastal town with a curved sandy beach, turquoise water, residential houses, and green hills in the background under a partially cloudy sky.

From Apollo Bay

Wildlife Wonders is located 5km south of Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road. It’s approximately 7 minutes’ drive from the Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre.

When you see the Wildlife Wonders sign, take the next turnoff on the left for the carpark.

Apollo Bay is 197km from Melbourne CBD and will take approximately 2hours and 30 minutes to drive.

Travel from Melbourne city onto the Westgate Freeway (or if departing Tullamarine Airport follow the signs to Geelong via the M80 Ring Road)

Continue onto Princes Freeway (if you are driving from Avalon Airport you’ll join the Princess Freeway just before Geelong)

Continue on the M1 to Cape Otway Rd/C135 in Mount Moriac

Take Forrest-Apollo Bay Rd to Great Ocean Rd/B100 in Skenes Creek

Turn right onto Great Ocean Rd/B100

Arrive in Apollo Bay

To drive the Great Ocean Road, exit the Princes Freeway at the Torquay exit. Note, taking the scenic route via the Great Ocean Road will add 30 minutes to your journey (plus photo stops).

If you are arriving at Wildlife Wonders from further away than Apollo Bay, we suggest you aim to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of your tour. The Great Ocean Road is often busy, and your trip can take longer than you anticipate.

By car (from Melbourne or the airport)

Historic railway station with domed roof and clock tower, tram in front, city street scene, Melbourne.

Scenic coastal view from a roadside, with blue ocean waves crashing against rocky shore, grassy cliffs, and a motorcycle mirror in the foreground reflecting the sky.

By caravan

Please know there is ample parking and a turning circle for cars with caravans or campervans in the Wildlife Wonders parking lot.

Group of people on a guided nature tour in a forest

By small group coach tour

Join one of the Great Ocean Road small group coach tours where you will find Wildlife Wonders on their itinerary. Discover small group coach tours here.

A white tour bus driving on a highway during sunset.

By public transport

Apollo Bay can be reached via the V-Line bus from either Geelong or Colac, where it meets some V-Line train services from Melbourne. Busses connect with the Melbourne – Warrnambool train line at:

Geelong Train Station and travel along the Great Ocean Road through Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and other coastal towns
Colac Train Station (Wednesday and weekends only) and travel via the hinterland through Forrest, Barramunga, Tanybryn and Skenes Creek
For train and bus information and timetables visit: ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007

Once in Apollo Bay, the Visitor Information Centre can arrange transport for you to Wildlife Wonders.

Important to note

Sign for Wildlife Wonders attraction set between two tree trunks, with greenery in the background.

Arrive 20 minutes before your tour start time

Please arrive about 20 minutes before the scheduled start time of your tour. This allows ample time to arrive, check in and get settled before your tour starts. If you think you may be late, please call to discuss options on (03) 7046 1664.

Driving the Great Ocean Road

Entrance to Great Ocean Road with wooden arch, sunrise in background, and roadside sculpture.

Driving the Great Ocean Road is often slower than you may anticipate, so always leave with plenty of time. Also consider all of the amazing stops along the way that you may want to factor time in for on your journey.

Covering the unexpected

We recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover any unexpected situations, like weather disruptions, that might prevent you from joining your tour with us.