Cleland Wildlife Park Experience – from Adelaide including Mt Lofty Summit

Feed a kangaroo before lunch. This half-day trip from Adelaide combines close encounters with Australian wildlife and a short stop at Mt Lofty Summit. I like the open bush setting at Cleland, where kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and other animals have room to move, and I like that air-conditioned transport, entry, a park map, and animal food are included. The main drawback is the brief 15-minute stop at Mt Lofty, which leaves little time beyond a quick look and a few photos.

The tour starts at 10am and usually gives you about three hours at Cleland Wildlife Park, with the full outing lasting roughly five hours. The group is capped at 13 people, so it feels more personal than a large coach trip. The tour is partly guided, with your guide usually helping during the first half before you explore the park at your own pace.

The koala close-up is included, but holding a koala is not. That paid experience must be arranged directly with Cleland and can sell out quickly or be cancelled in hot weather. Keep a light jacket handy too, since the Adelaide Hills can feel cooler than the city, even when Adelaide itself is warm.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours among free-roaming animals: Cleland covers 86 acres, with self-guided paths through a natural bush setting rather than rows of small cages.
• Koala close-up included: You can see a koala at close range, but koala holding costs extra and has limited availability.
• Hand-feed Australian wildlife: Your included bag of food is suitable for kangaroos, wallabies, and potoroos under the park’s guidelines.
• Small group transport: Air-conditioned minivan transport is provided, with a maximum of 13 people and Adelaide city hotel pickup available.
• Mt Lofty is a quick photo stop: The 15-minute visit gives you a broad view over Adelaide and toward Gulf St. Vincent.
• Good value for a half-day: At about $88.94 per person, the price covers transport, park admission, animal food, and the koala close-up.

Leaving Adelaide for the Adelaide Hills

The morning pickup begins around 10am, with Adelaide city hotel pickup available or collection from a designated meeting point. The air-conditioned minivan is a practical choice because Cleland is outside the city, and arranging separate transport would add cost and effort.

A maximum of 13 people keeps the outing manageable. You are not left on your own for the entire day, but this is not a fully narrated guided tour either. The guide usually gives advice and orientation during the first part of your time at the park, then you follow the trails independently.

Guides named in the feedback include Mike and Marie. Mike was praised for being punctual, helpful, and generous with information about Adelaide and the park. Marie was also singled out for her friendly manner and useful explanations. The quality of your day depends partly on the guide, but the schedule still gives you plenty of freedom.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress for the hills rather than only for Adelaide. It will not run on days rated catastrophic for fire danger in Mt Lofty. Koala close-up sessions can also stop when the Mount Barker forecast is above 32°C, or whenever the park decides conditions are not suitable for the animals.

Three hours at Cleland Wildlife Park

Cleland Wildlife Park covers about 86 acres, or 35 hectares, in the Adelaide Hills. Its appeal is the open setting. Many animals are not behind conventional cages, and the self-discovery trails let you walk through areas where Australian species move with more freedom.

This makes the park feel different from a standard zoo. You may see kangaroos and wallabies close by, while other animals keep their distance. That unpredictability is part of the fun, though it also means you should not expect every animal to appear on cue.

The park is home to more than 130 species. The advertised animals include:

• Kangaroos and wallabies
• Koalas
• Emus
• Dingoes
• Tasmanian devils
• Wombats
• Potoroos
• Echidnas
• Snakes and other native species

The open areas are well suited to families because you can move at a relaxed pace. Children often enjoy feeding kangaroos and wallabies, while adults tend to appreciate the chance to watch the animals behave naturally. The paths are described as pleasant and well maintained, but the park is spread out. Some sections may have fewer animals, so comfortable shoes and patience help.

Feeding kangaroos, wallabies, and potoroos

Your admission includes a bag of approved animal food. Feeding is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour, since you are not simply looking at wildlife from behind a barrier.

Kangaroos can be remarkably gentle when taking food. You may also feed wallabies and potoroos, although the smaller animals can be shy. Do not rush them. Waiting quietly near a more confident animal usually works better than chasing one around with a handful of food.

The experience is best when you follow the park’s instructions and let the animals choose the interaction. Some have human contact, then retreat to areas away from people. That balance is important. You get a close look without turning every animal into a petting attraction.

Bring your camera, but keep your attention on the animals too. Kangaroos are plentiful, while baby kangaroos and smaller wallabies may be more cautious. Emus, wombats, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils provide variety, even when they are not available for direct contact.

The included koala close-up

The koala close-up is part of the tour package and gives you a chance to see one at close range. Park staff control how and when this interaction happens, and touching is limited to certain times and conditions.

This is not the same as holding a koala. A koala hold experience is an optional extra, booked and paid for directly through Cleland. It is not guaranteed, and you should not treat it as an automatic upgrade included with your tour.

If holding a koala is a top priority, plan ahead. One visitor found that the holding places sold out quickly, with bookings opening before the scheduled 2pm holding session. Numbers may change each day depending on the condition and welfare of the koalas selected for the activity.

Hot weather can cancel koala experiences altogether. The park may stop them when temperatures are forecast above 32°C in Mount Barker, and staff can cancel at any time for animal welfare reasons. This policy is a good thing for the animals, but it means you should book the tour for the broader park experience, not only for the hope of holding a koala.

Keeper talks and self-guided time

Cleland includes interactive keeper talks, which add useful context to the animal encounters. These talks can help you understand why some animals are approachable and others are not, and they give the park’s care work more meaning.

Your guide points out useful parts of the park early in the visit, but you will spend much of the three-hour stop choosing your own route. A park map is included, and maps are available in English, French, Chinese, German, Italian, and Japanese.

The timing is generally generous. Three hours is enough for a calm visit, animal feeding, a koala close-up, and a keeper talk if the schedules line up. Some people may find the allocated time about an hour too long, especially if they move quickly or are focused on only a few species.

I see that as a minor weakness rather than a serious problem. The extra time lets you slow down, have lunch, or revisit a favorite animal area. If you prefer a fast checklist of sights, the pace may feel loose. If you enjoy sitting and watching wildlife, the schedule works better.

Lunch at Cleland

Lunch is not included. You can bring a picnic or buy food and coffee at the park cafe. The cafe has been described as reasonably priced, with food and coffee that can make the long stop easier.

A picnic is a smart choice if you want to keep costs down or eat outdoors. If you bring your own food, remember that you are sharing an animal park, so follow the site’s instructions and do not feed personal food to the animals. The only food intended for them is the approved packet provided by the park.

The tour does not provide a formal lunch break separate from the wildlife visit. You fit lunch into your time at Cleland, which gives you flexibility but requires a little planning.

Mt Lofty Summit in 15 minutes

On the return toward Adelaide, the minivan stops at Mt Lofty Summit. At about 710 metres, it is the highest point in the Adelaide Hills and offers wide views over Adelaide, the coastline, and Gulf St. Vincent.

On a clear day, this is a fine final look at the region. You can see north and south along the coast, with Adelaide spread below. It also helps you understand the change from the city to the cooler hills where Cleland sits.

The catch is the timing. The stop is scheduled for only 15 minutes, so you will probably take photos, enjoy the view, and return to the vehicle. It is not enough for a long walk, a cafe visit, or a relaxed period at the lookout.

Weather matters here. Rain, cloud, wind, or haze can reduce the view, and one outing had poor visibility from the summit. The wildlife park remains the main event, so consider Mt Lofty a useful bonus rather than the reason to book the trip.

What the $88.94 price covers

At around $88.94 per person, this is a fair price for a five-hour outing, especially if you are staying in central Adelaide and want a simple way to reach the hills. The fee includes return minivan transport, park admission, a map, animal food, and the koala close-up.

A separate taxi journey plus park entry can cost more. One person calculated that two-way taxi travel and admission would have come to about $125, before adding the convenience of a guide and included food. Your exact saving will depend on your hotel and transport choices, but the package removes several costs and decisions.

The price does not cover lunch or the koala hold. Those extras are easy to overlook when you first compare tours. If your main goal is to hold a koala, check the additional cost and availability with Cleland before you go.

For families, the value improves because children can feed animals and adults can enjoy the scenery without arranging a rental car. Solo visitors also benefit from the minivan format. One solo booking even received the full outing despite being the only passenger booked that day, though that should not be treated as a guaranteed arrangement.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip to families, first-time visitors to Adelaide, and anyone who wants a gentle introduction to Australian wildlife without committing to a full-day regional excursion.

It is also a good fit if you want:

• A short trip outside Adelaide
• A chance to feed kangaroos and wallabies
• A natural park setting with open animal areas
• A small group instead of a large coach
• A simple combination of wildlife and hilltop views

You may want another option if you dislike self-guided visits or need a tightly packed schedule. The guide does not remain with you throughout the park, and three hours can feel slow if you race from exhibit to exhibit.

This is not the best choice if a koala hold is non-negotiable. The included close-up is worthwhile, but the paid holding session has limited places and may be cancelled for heat or animal welfare reasons.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Wear layers. Cleland can be shaded and cool, especially in autumn and winter, while the city may feel warmer. A light jacket is useful at the park and Mt Lofty, where it can be breezy.

Arrive ready to spend the middle of the day outdoors. The tour operates in all weather conditions, except for stated fire danger cancellations, so comfortable clothing and sensible shoes matter.

If you want the koala hold, contact Cleland directly before the trip. On the day itself, ask your guide where and when to queue, since spaces may be limited and the session schedule can change.

Allow time for slow animals. Kangaroos may approach readily, but baby animals and smaller species can be timid. The best moments often come from standing quietly rather than trying to force a photograph.

Book with cancellation timing in mind. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The operator may also cancel if minimum numbers are not reached, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Cleland Wildlife Park tour?

Yes, if you want an easy, well-priced half-day from Adelaide with real animal contact and a small group. The kangaroo feeding is the star, while the open bush setting, koala close-up, and friendly guides add plenty around it.

Book it with realistic expectations. Mt Lofty is a short lookout stop, lunch costs extra, and the koala hold is separate and never certain. If you accept those limits, the tour gives you a relaxed way to meet Australian wildlife and see Adelaide from above without hiring a car.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10am.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately five hours. About three hours are spent at Cleland Wildlife Park, generally from around 11am to 2pm.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Adelaide city hotels is available, along with collection from designated meeting points.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 13 people.

Is Cleland Wildlife Park admission included?

Yes. Entrance fees and a park map are included in the tour price.

Is animal food included?

Yes. You receive a bag of approved animal food for feeding kangaroos, wallabies, and potoroos under park supervision and guidance.

Is holding a koala included?

No. The included activity is a koala close-up. Koala holding must be booked and paid for directly through Cleland Wildlife Park.

Can the koala experience be cancelled?

Yes. Koala experiences may not operate when the forecast temperature is above 32°C in Mount Barker, and the park can cancel them at any time for animal welfare reasons.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can bring a picnic or buy food and coffee at the park cafe.