Maru Koala and Animal Park
Highlights
- Get up close with koalas and hand-feed friendly albino kangaroos in a free-roaming habitat.
- Experience Keeper Talks and Wildlife Presentations that deepen your understanding of iconic native species.
- Enjoy a seasonal Sheep Shearing Show while seated in shaded areas, perfect for families and groups.
- Savour fresh meals at the Homestead Bistro, offering a tempting range of food to satisfy every appetite.
Get in touch with wildlife at Maru Koala and Animal Park.
At Maru you can get up close with koalas, hand-feed and touch friendly albino kangaroos in a free-roaming habitat, meet the smiling quokkas, and see a whole cast of other iconic natives the Tasmanian devil, wombats, dingoes, and reptiles. Listen to Keeper Talks and see the Wildlife Presentation, or take a seat for a seasonal Sheep Shearing Show. Set sail into Pirate Pete’s Mini-Golf, a full 18-hole course complete with a towering waterfall and life-sized pirates. Enjoy a meal in the licensed Homestead Bistro, filled with a tempting range of fresh food ready to eat or settle in for a sit-down meal.
Maru has sealed paths throughout and amenities that can accommodate all abilities, with plenty of seating and shaded areas as well as a prayer rest room. Maru offers a range of gifts and souvenirs to remember your visit by, as well as a purchasable annual membership. Maru welcomes group and private bookings, including children’s parties and special experiences like Keeper for a Day and the Wildlife Enrichment Workshop.
Founded, owned, and operated by the Heffer family for over 40 years, the Maru team is committed to ensuring every guest has a visit to remember.
Images and Video
Accreditations
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Quality Tourism Accreditation
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Sustainable Tourism Accreditation by ATIC
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Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia
- Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
- Visitor Information Centre
Features
Tags
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
General access
- Offers multiple options for booking – web, email, phone is available.
- Offers a range of contact methods for receiving complaints.
- Companion Cards are accepted.
- Employs people with disabilities.
- Staff are trained in disability awareness.
- Accessibility information and photos, including of a bathroom, room and/or floor plan on their website (can be emailed on request).
- Asks all visitors if there are any specific needs to be met.
Communication
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)
- Staff are trained in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges.
- Uses Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)
- A quiet space is available at the venue/ facility.
Vision
Caters for people who are blind or have vision loss.
- Information in large print is available.
- Uses easy to read fonts in their signage and communication materials (Helvetica and Arial).
- Staff are trained in customer service for people with vision loss (training would incorporate way finding and communicating with people with vision loss).
- Handrails on all stairways
Hearing
Caters for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- Staff are trained in communicating with people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
Physical – Mobility
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
- Uses floors/coverings which are slip resistant, firm and smooth
- Uses non-slip tiles in the bathroom or slip resistant matting
- Grab rails in the bathroom
- Seating in common areas including reception area
Physical – Wheelchair
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
- Step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)
- A step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)
- Step free access to restaurant, lounge and bar
- Accessible seating areas in theatrette
- Doorways which are easy to open and have lever handles (doorways 850mm or wider when open and not heavy).
- An accessible public toilet which is unlocked.
- A wheelchair accessible toilet / shower and change room is available.
- At least one wheelchair accessible parking space with wheelchair accessible signage clearly displayed (International standards are 3200mm wide x 2500 mm high).
Physical – High support needs
Caters for people with high support needs who travel with a support person.
Allergies and intolerances
Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.
- Modify their cooking and cleaning practices to cater for people with food allergies or chemical intolerances (could include menus with meals free from: nuts, dairy, seafood, eggs, gluten etc).
- Staff are trained to respond to allergic reactions.
- Complies with The Food Authority requirements for allergy management in food preparation.
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