Where To See Wombats In Australia

Found primarily in southeastern Australia and Tasmania, the wombat is a nocturnal animal and the world’s largest burrowing herbivorous mammal. The three wombat species found in Australia are the common wombat, and the southern and northern hairy-nosed wombats. Here are the best locations to see wombats, whether that’s at a wildlife park or in the Australian wild.

Wilsons Promontory

One of the best places to see wombats in the wild in Victoria is Wilsons Promontory National Park. It’s located about a three-hour drive southeast of Melbourne. There are many campgrounds in the national park, which are fantastic places to spot wombats at dusk. Tidal River is one of the most popular campgrounds, with 484 camping and caravan sites situated close to both the beach and river. Ensure you lock up your belongings before leaving your campsite though, as wombats are known to enter tents here (and coolers) to forage for food.
Wilsons Promontory National Park, Wilsons Promontory, VIC, Australia

Healesville Sanctuary

Kangaroo Valley

Kangaroo Valley in New South Wales is definitely the best place to see wombats in the wild in New South Wales. Located about a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney, the self-proclaimed most beautiful valley in Australia is home to a thriving common wombat population. The best place to see them in the wild in Kangaroo Valley is at Bendeela Camping and Picnic Area. Visitors say the wombats are always roaming around the open space — even during the day.
Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia

Tower Hill

Located along the Great Ocean Road (also known as one of Australia’s most scenic drives), ensure you make time to stop at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve on your road trip. Visitors can choose to either go on a guided tour, or embark on one of the five self-guided walks, where you can spot wildlife and learn about the region’s Aboriginal heritage along the way. Besides wombats, other wildlife that can be spotted in the area include kangaroos, emus, echidnas, and koalas.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, 105 Lake View Road, Tower Hill, VIC, Australia

Ronny Creek

Located in Tasmania’s picturesque Cradle Mountain region, Ronny Creek is a fantastic place to spot wombats in their natural habitat. From the Ronny Creek car park, there are a few different walking trails visitors can head along to see wombats. Take the boardwalk from the car park to Dove Lake, as wombats are regularly spotted getting close to the boardwalk out of curiosity. Visit Parks Tasmania for more information on the different hiking options.
Ronny Creek, Cradle Mountain, TAS, Australia

Kosciuszko National Park

There are several places around Kosciuszko National Park where people can see the common wombat. NSW National Parks recommends the High Plains area, the Khancoban area (the national park’s western gateway), the Tumut area, around Thredbo and Perisher, near Selwyn in the centre of the national park, at one of the campgrounds around Lower Snowy River, and the Yarrangobilly area.
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW, Australia

Australia Zoo

At Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, visitors can learn a lot about wombats, like how their closest relative is the koala. Australia Zoo is home to six common wombats, and one southern hairy-nosed wombat. The oldest common wombat is named Minibus, and she’s 22 years old. Once again, there’s the option of having a close animal encounter with the wombats at Australia Zoo. For an additional fee, you can pat and pose with the wombats while they have their feed.
Australia Zoo, Beerwah, QLD, Australia

Maria Island

Maria Island has been described as Tasmania’s Noah’s Ark. Many threatened species were released on the island off Tasmania’s east coast in the 1970s. So today, it is home to wombats, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wallabies, Cape Barren geese, and several other bird species. Wombats have been seen wandering around the island’s sandy beaches, and grazing near the island’s old penitentiary building (constructed around 1837). They’ve also been known to roam on a summer’s day, and not stick to their usual nocturnal schedule.
Maria Island, TAS, Australia

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.