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During our Christmas road trip from Brisbane, we headed inland through Waterfall Way and continued south to Barrington Tops National Park. The coast is usually packed at that time of year, but we found the inland campgrounds almost empty – a nice bonus. We planned our stop around visiting Aussie Ark and spent two nights camping in the national park so we’d be close to the tour and still have time to explore. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth visiting, here’s what to expect. Spoiler: we loved it.
What makes Aussie Ark special (and why it’s nothing like a zoo)
Before diving into the tour itself, it’s worth understanding what Aussie Ark actually does. At the heart of their mission are predator-proof sanctuaries – large, wild, fenced spaces where endangered native animals can live without the constant threat of foxes and feral cats. These sanctuaries are designed to be as natural as possible, allowing species like Tasmanian Devils, quolls, wallabies, and koalas to behave as they would in the wild.
That’s the first big difference between Aussie Ark and a zoo: you’re not visiting animals on display. You’re stepping into an active conservation project working to rebuild healthy populations and restore ecosystems. The Devils in the Wild tour offers a glimpse into that work.
Our Devils in the Wild tour
We booked the Devils in the Wild tour (2.5 hours, $150 per person), which only runs once a month and is fully guided. We chose it because it offered the rare opportunity to enter a wild enclosure – literally standing inside Tasmanian Devil territory – while learning about the conservation programs behind the scenes.
Our group was small, around ten people, and everyone was genuinely interested. That alone made the experience more enjoyable. Our ranger was fantastic: passionate, knowledgeable, and great at keeping us engaged. We learnt far more than we expected, not only about the devils but also about the challenges native species face and how Aussie Ark is tackling them.
Seeing Tasmanian Devils up close
The first feeding was already impressive. We stayed on the viewing deck near the entrance enclosure and watched them from above. The noises, the power, the fixation on food – it all hit us immediately.
But what was truly special was when we entered the large wild enclosure. I’d seen devils up close before at the Reptile Park and in a Tasmanian rescue park about 15 years ago, but nothing compares to stepping inside their habitat. I genuinely never thought I’d ever be that close to a Tasmanian Devil in such a natural environment. They came running from multiple directions, completely focused on the food, and we were standing right there with them. Because we were well briefed and our group behaved respectfully, we always felt safe. The devils didn’t care about us at all – their world revolves around food.
Watching them interact, fight, and feed almost at our feet is a memory that will forever stay with me. It’s one of those rare moments where you know you’re experiencing something special.
Learning about conservation
The whole tour is built around conservation, which we really appreciated. Hearing the ranger talk about the decline of devil populations was confronting, but it also made the work happening at Aussie Ark feel even more meaningful. They manage the largest insurance population of Tasmanian Devils in the world, and being able to see a small part of that work firsthand was eye-opening.
Even when some animals were hiding – especially the nocturnal or shy ones – the ranger kept us engaged with stories, facts, and anecdotes. It never felt like we were “waiting” for animals to appear. There was always something interesting to learn.
Meeting a quoll and Pebble, a Tasmanian “angel”
We didn’t expect to see a quoll at all, so spotting a rescued Eastern Quoll was a highlight. They’re more of a night creature, so the timing has to be just right. It was our first time ever seeing one, and it was an unexpected bonus that made the visit even more memorable.
We also met Pebble, a young devil who had been abandoned by her mother and hand-raised by the team. She was incredibly calm and seemed to enjoy scratches. Her brother, Bumbum, apparently has a very different personality.
The ranger explained that hand-raised devils behave very differently until they meet other devils. Before that, they think you’re just another devil who brings food and scratches. Once they interact with other devils and understand there’s competition for food, everything changes. It was fascinating to learn about their behaviour so directly.
Where is Aussie Ark?
Aussie Ark is remote, which is part of its charm. It’s located in the Barrington Tops region, about 6 hours from Sydney. The closest towns, Scone, Muswellbrook, or Gloucester, are about 2 hours away.
Driving through the national park on unsealed roads added to the adventure. The road was full of potholes in December, and while it’s technically suitable for 2WD, we were glad to have an AWD. We took it slow – not only because of the road conditions but also because wildlife often pops out unexpectedly.
Tips for visiting Aussie Ark
- Book in advance – spots on the Devils in the Wild tour are limited, and it only runs monthly.
- Stay nearby if you can. Aussie Ark offers accommodation just 11km from the site, which is ideal if you want an easy start in the morning. We camped at Devils Hole in Barrington Tops instead, about 45 minutes away, and it worked well too.
- Download offline maps and directions – reception is scarce once you enter the national park.
- Drive slowly on the unsealed roads. Between potholes and wildlife, there’s really no reason to rush.
- Take the time to explore Barrington Tops while you’re there. It’s not the most spectacular national park in Australia, but the lookouts are nice and it feels wonderfully wild.
- Check the weather before you go so you can pack the right layers and make sure all the roads you plan to use are open.
Another great conservation experience: Quoll Headquarters
Our visit to Aussie Ark made us even more interested in fenced conservation areas. We later visited Quoll Headquarters near Tenterfield, which is much easier to reach from Brisbane or northern New South Wales. It’s not as developed as Aussie Ark and focuses on different species, but the passion behind it is very similar. If you love meaningful conservation experiences, both places are worth adding to your itinerary.
