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.
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.
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.
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
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
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)
By caravan
Please know there is ample parking and a turning circle for cars with caravans or campervans in the Wildlife Wonders parking lot.
By small group tour
Join our friends at Great Private Tours and enjoy a private guided Wildlife Wonders walk and lunch with your small tour group. This is just part of their bespoke Great Ocean Road itinerary.
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.