You hear them before you see them. It's a sound that doesn't quite fit the size of the animal—a mix of a rusty gate hinge swinging in the wind and a demonic screech that explains exactly why early European settlers were terrified when they first stepped into the bush at night. Honestly, if you’re heading down to the island state, a Tasmanian devil park in Tasmania is probably at the top of your list. It should be. But there's a lot of noise out there about which ones are "tourist traps" and which ones are actually doing the heavy lifting for conservation.
The reality? These parks aren't just for selfies.
Tasmania’s iconic scavengers are in a bit of a tight spot. Since the mid-90s, Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has wiped out a massive chunk of the wild population. It’s a transmissible cancer. It's brutal. Because of that, the role of the wildlife park has shifted from mere entertainment to a literal genetic insurance policy. When you pay your entry fee at a place like Trowunna or Bonorong, you’re basically funding the survival of a species that’s been on the planet for millions of years.
The Big Three: Where You Should Actually Go
Not all parks are created equal. If you want the real deal, you have to look at how they handle their "Insurance Population."
Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary in Mole Creek is often cited by experts as the gold standard. They’ve been at this since 1979. What makes them different is their focus on release programs. They don't just keep devils; they breed them to be wild. And yeah, it’s a bit out of the way, nestled in the shadows of the Great Western Tiers, but the lack of crowds makes the experience feel much more authentic. You’ll see devils that aren't just pacing for food; they’re interacting in social groups that mimic how they live in the Tarkine or the Freycinet Peninsula.
Then you have Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s just outside Hobart. It’s busy. It’s loud. But it’s also home to Tasmania’s largest 24/7 wildlife rescue service. Every cent from your ticket goes back into a massive veterinary operation. If a local finds a hit-by-car devil on the side of the road at 2:00 AM, Bonorong is the place that answers the phone.
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Why the "Feeding Frenzy" Matters
People always ask if the public feedings are cruel.
They aren't.
Devils are communal eaters. In the wild, a carcass is a social event. They scream, they lung, and they snap because that’s how they communicate hierarchy. If you visit a Tasmanian devil park in Tasmania and the keeper just hands out kibble, you're missing the point. You want to see the tug-of-war. You want to see that 12-kg marsupial exert enough jaw pressure to crush a cow’s femur. It’s raw. It’s messy. It’s exactly what they need to do to keep their instincts sharp for potential reintroduction.
Devils in the Dark: A Different Perspective
If you’re near Bicheno on the East Coast, there’s a spot called Devils @ Cradle (well, technically the main one is at Cradle Mountain, but let's talk about the coastal night tours).
Seeing a devil at 2:00 PM is fine. Seeing one at 8:00 PM is a revelation.
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They are nocturnal. During the day, they’re mostly sleepy lumps of black fur in a hollowed-out log. At night? They transform. Their ears turn bright red as blood pumps through them to help regulate heat and signal aggression. Their whiskers—which are as long as their heads are wide—twitch constantly. They move with a surprisingly graceful, rolling gait.
The DFTD Crisis: What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that the devils are "fine now" because we don't hear about the cancer in the news as much. That’s dangerous thinking. While some wild populations in the West Coast and North West are showing signs of immune response—basically evolving to live with the cancer—the overall numbers are still precarious.
The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (STDP) relies heavily on these parks to maintain a "clean" population. If the wild ones go extinct, the ones you’re looking at through a timber fence are the ones that will repopulate the forests. It’s a heavy burden for a small, private park to carry.
Planning Your Visit Without Being a Typical Tourist
Don't just rock up at noon. That’s the worst time. It’s hot (well, "Tasmanian hot," which is 22°C), and the animals are lethargic.
- Go for the first tour of the morning. The animals are hungry and active.
- Wear dark colors. Bright neon jackets can actually spook some of the more nervous individuals in the smaller sanctuaries.
- Ask about the studs. Every devil in a registered sanctuary has a pedigree. Ask the keepers about the breeding lines. It sounds nerdy, but hearing about the "genetic diversity" of the specific devil in front of you makes the conservation effort feel real.
- Check the "unzoo" concept. Taranna (Tasmanian Devil Unzoo) on the Tasman Peninsula is trying something radical. They’ve removed many of the traditional cages and created environments where the animals can come and go more freely. It’s an experiment in "wildlife tourism" that challenges the old-school zoo model.
Tasmania is rugged. The weather changes in five minutes. If you’re heading to Cradle Mountain to see the devils there, bring a raincoat even if the sky is blue. The devils love the rain. They seem more energized when the air is damp and the ground is muddy.
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The Ethical Dilemma of the "Selfie"
Look, we all want the photo. But please, don't be the person trying to pet a devil. They aren't dogs. They are incredibly powerful predators with a bite force-to-body size ratio that rivals a Great White Shark. Most reputable parks won't let you touch them anyway, and that’s a good sign. If a park offers "hold a devil" photos for thirty bucks, walk away. That’s not conservation; that’s exploitation.
A real Tasmanian devil park in Tasmania focuses on the animal's terms, not yours.
Beyond the Devils
While you're there, you're going to see Quolls. Do not overlook the Quolls. Spotted-tail and Eastern quolls are the "cousins" of the devil and they are arguably even more endangered in some areas. Most devil parks double as general sanctuaries. You’ll see Wombats, Pademelons, and if you’re lucky, an Echidna shuffling through the undergrowth.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To get the most out of your experience and actually contribute to the cause, follow this checklist.
- Book a private tour if available. Places like Trowunna offer "behind the scenes" experiences. They cost more, but the money goes directly into the breeding enclosures and you get much more than a 10-minute talk.
- Donate to the "Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal" directly. Many parks have a donation box that goes straight to the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. This is where the actual vaccine work happens.
- Report sightings. If you’re driving through the Tarkine or the Huon Valley and you see a devil (dead or alive), use the "Roadkill TAS" app. Data collection is the only way scientists can track how the disease is moving across the landscape.
- Check the accreditation. Ensure the park is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA). This ensures they meet high standards of animal welfare and are part of the official species management plan.
The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest carnivorous marsupial. It's a survivor of the megafauna era. Walking into a sanctuary and hearing that first bone-chilling scream is a reminder of what the world used to look like before we paved most of it. It’s not just a stop on a road trip; it’s a front-row seat to an evolutionary battle. Pack your boots, bring your patience, and keep your fingers away from the wire. It's well worth the drive.
Key Takeaways for Travelers
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late evening (night tours are superior).
- Top Rated Locations: Trowunna (Conservation), Bonorong (Rescue), Devils @ Cradle (Alpine environment), Tasman Devil Unzoo (Innovation).
- Cost Expectation: $35–$50 AUD for standard entry; $150+ for specialized tours.
- Impact: Your entry fee directly funds the DFTD insurance population and wild release programs.
Avoid the "flashy" wildlife parks that prioritize showmanship over science. Stick to the sanctuaries that are transparent about their breeding programs and their partnership with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. By choosing the right Tasmanian devil park in Tasmania, you’re ensuring that the "Looney Tunes" caricature isn't the only version of this animal left for the next generation.
Next Steps:
Research the "Roadkill TAS" app before your flight so you can contribute to citizen science while driving. Check the feeding schedules for Trowunna or Bonorong at least 48 hours in advance, as these can change based on weather or animal health requirements. If you're visiting during the winter months (June–August), confirm that the mountain passes to Cradle Mountain are open before heading to the alpine sanctuaries.