When we travel, we always try to include a range of activities that appeal to the various interests of each family member. Although Braeden is somewhat cautious around animals, especially the furry ones, we continue to give him opportunities to engage and interact and sometimes the assistance of a friendly keeper helps with any anxiety he feels. The rest of the family are big animal lovers and always jump at the chance to learn more about Australia’s wonderful fauna, which is exactly what we did while in Tasmania.
At East Coast Natureworld in Bicheno, Tasmania, we were treated to the Ultimate Nature World Experience where we met many of the cute and cuddly residents and learned more about their lifestyle, habitat and challenges they face in the wild. You can visit Natureworld without booking a tour and roam somewhat free like the animals. Hopefully this review will showcase both the Ultimate Nature World Experience and what you can see with a general admission ticket.
East Coast Natureworld Tasmania
Although East Coast Natureworld is an animal park, the setting almost made me feel like I was visiting the animals in their natural environment. Of course, there are enclosures, which is a good thing. Even after having cuddles with the baby Tasmanian Devils, I’d prefer there be a barrier between me and their gnarly teeth.
It was a firm “no” from Braeden when it came to cuddling a Tassie Devil but despite my initial concerns (did I mention they have gnarly teeth?) this was one of my favourite experiences of the tour. Nat, our tour guide for the morning, gave us a demonstration of how to settle our babies and not unlike a human baby it was a firm rhythmic patting on the devil’s bottom. Kia and Kara were putty in our hands once we got it down pat (sorry, I couldn’t help the pun).
We did need to negotiate a step up to go into the enclosure for this portion of the tour but there were many other encounters where this was not necessary.
Braeden had no caution when it came to meeting curious Raal the yellow tail black cockatoo and they seemed to bond quite well over a treat.
Old Nanna, the sugar glider, was the cutest of the bunch with her big eyes, pink button nose and soft fur.
She was named Old Nanna due to one of her arms being stiff but it didn’t seem to stop her from grasping onto her snack with great enthusiasm. Although furry, Braeden was quite curious about her. Perhaps her size made her less intimidating to him.
On the tour we also had a private audience with Dottie, though she seemed to be more interested in her sweet potato than us. Dottie arrived at East Coast Natureworld after her mother was hit by a car. She was hand raised and will eventually be released once she is big enough. Meantime she seems content where she is.
The greeting you get from just about all the residents at Natureworld is an enthusiastic one, especially when there is a treat involved.
Dusty the echidna loves a spoonful of peanut butter but often has to share it with Crash, the bandicoot who muscles in on the action. Braeden was curious but still reserving judgement on those spikes.
I can certainly see more reason for argy bargy over a spoonful of peanut butter rather than the quolls enrichment of a blood ice block. There’s no accounting for taste but I guess on a warm day it may be refreshing?
East Coast Natureworld accessibility
We had no problem getting around East Coast Natureworld with Braeden’s manual wheelchair. The footpaths are a mix of surfaces including bitumen, compressed fine gravel and grass in one of the enclosures. The grass and larger gravel was the toughest going when we went to visit the “Bachelor mob” – kangaroos but there are other kangaroos roving so this area could be avoided for ease.
If you are participating in the Ultimate Nature World tour some of the encounters happen in enclosures with a step up. Braeden’s wheelchair could not go into the Tassie Devil or echidna/bandicoot enclosures. Braeden transferred from his wheelchair for these experiences. I suggest chatting to the team at East Coast Natureworld about your access needs if you are thinking of booking a tour.
Keep in mind, visitors to East Coast Natureworld do not need to book a tour so you can make your way around the park at your own pace with the general admission price to pay. Braeden had good viewing at most of the enclosures from his wheelchair.
There accessible bathroom is a tight fit but we managed with Braeden. It will be more challenging for larger wheelchair users. Again, I suggest chatting to staff ahead of a visit to check if the accessibility will suit your needs.
The Ultimate Nature World experience gave us 90 minutes with Nat, a keeper, and made the visit incredibly interactive for the whole family. It’s definitely a splurge but perfect for any animal lovers or for a special occasion.
We were hosted for our visit to East Coast Natureworld but as always, our opinions are our own.
Interested in reading more about our Tasmania trip you can catch up below –
All 4 All Terrain Tours Freycinet
Freycinet National Park access
