Visit to an inspirational Wildlife Sanctuary
Our stay at Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS)
Story by Sharon Ridsdale
The Central Coast is home to many beautiful places, but one of the most special is the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) at Calga. The Sanctuary, set in the Calga Valley, encompasses a Sacred Cultural Landscape, and was placed on the NSW Heritage Register in 2019 as protected land.
We booked ahead for an overnight visit, and chose to stay in one of the well appointed self contained cabins, however, more adventurous visitors could opt for a Safari tent. The level parking area is a short walk (also wheelchair accessible) to the reception area. We were greeted warmly by owner/operator Tassin Barnard, and trainee ranger, Sam. They gave us park brochures, and explained the many features of the park, as well as some rules when dealing with the animals. WWS is a facility that cares for sick and injured native wildlife, preparing them for release back into the wild. However, due to the nature of their injuries, some animals cannot be released as they would be unable to fend for themselves. These animals are set free into the thirty five hectares of fenced, protected native habitat, where they are fed and cared for by the park custodians. Unlike other wildlife parks, there is always a variety of kangaroos, wallabys, emus, and other Australian native animals, wandering freely throughout the guest accommodation and picnic area. The animals are calm, inquisitive, and well cared for.
Klara and Meerkat
Sam led the way through grazing kangaroos, and curious emus to show us to our cabin. We interrupted a cheeky joey who was snoozing on our verandah. He hopped past us to join his mob who were dozing in the sun nearby. Although we had a fully equipped kitchen, we chose to use the undercover BBQ facilities to cook our evening meal and ate at the small table on our verandah, overlooking the Safari tent area and surrounding bushland.
We booked a Wild Night Out Sunset Tour with Tassin who, torch in hand, walked us through the nocturnal animal enclosures. We saw Boobook owls and Tawny Frogmouth, Pygmy possums, wombats, frogs and bats. Her knowledge is built on years of experience. The Sanctuary is also an educational facility for student vets, nationally and internationally and is part of a breeding program for the endangered Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. They also care for elderly Tasmanian Devils, who, though past their breeding prime, can live out their days in comfort. Our delightful tour lasted over an hour, but returning to our cabin, Tassin assured us that we were most welcome to walk around the sanctuary anytime of the night to explore as we wish. We all slept too soundly in our peaceful surroundings for any such wanderings.
Next morning, we helped with the ‘kangaroo round-up’. All the free roaming animals are called up to the main visitor area, and given their lucerne and special feeds, an ideal time for the carers to check that all were in good health. Such a privilege to walk among the animals as they peacefully chewed their fodder, paying little, if any, attention to us. A visiting school group sitting in the picnic area, was ecstatic to see the animals at close range, as were the American and Korean tourists who had just arrived.
Sharon and Emu
We were spoilt for choice with other activities. Several beautiful walks to explore: the animal loop can take from thirty minutes to all day, passing dingoes, Spotted-tail quolls, Tasmanian Devils, Parma Wallabys, Echidnas, Koalas, and various aviaries. A special walk is the Aboriginal Sites Trail, exploring 4000 years old hand-stenciled drawings, and wallaby, emu and boomerang ground engravings. For the more adventurous, a trail that leads up to the Mt White Lookout, takes about an hour. We opted for a Personal Ranger tour through the park, allowing us to take some fantastic photos. Optional extras include a Meerkat encounter, a speed date with a python or an echidna, or a lesson in boomerang throwing.
The Walkabout Park Wildlife Sanctuary has so much to offer, and we look forward to returning. One hundred percent of what visitors spend at the sanctuary goes towards the wildlife and wild habitat protection work. This wonderful facility is funded only by its guests, another great reason to drop-in and say Hi to an Aussie native animal.
1 Darkinjung Rd, Calga NSW 2250
Open daily 9.30am – 5pm | Ph: (02) 4375 1100
www.walkaboutpark.com.au
