Wildlife Combo, Fees Extra

A luxury day out of Sydney that pairs an Australian wildlife encounter with cellar door tastings in the Hunter Valley. Kangarrific Tours runs the 10-hour itinerary, with prices from $125 per person. The tour holds a 4.9 rating across 657 reviews, and booking carries free cancellation.

Overview

This day trip from Sydney pairs a native wildlife sanctuary visit with wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, all in roughly 10 hours aboard an air-conditioned minibus with reclining seats, wifi and USB charging. It starts early from a set meeting point on Pitt Street in Haymarket, with the bus leaving at 7.40am sharp, then heads first to Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary for an hour of close encounters with koalas, kangaroos and other Australian animals. After the animals come the vines: the running order in the listing includes Pokolbin Estate Vineyard, a lunch stop at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, and Wombat Crossing Vineyard, with a short stop at Fat Cow in between.

The trip is capped at 11 travellers, and the operator, Kangarrific Tours, has been running since 2009. It suits adults in particular, since the wine tastings are for those 18 and over, and reviewers repeatedly describe a guide who adjusts winery choices to the group's tastes. Wildlife fans get real contact: petting a koala and feeding kangaroos come up again and again in reviews.

Budget for extras before booking. The wildlife park entry, tour taxes and insurance cost A$70 per person, paid to the guide on the day, wine tasting fees across two venues are A$15 per person, and lunch is optional at A$30 per person or you can bring your own. Hotel pickup is not included either, so the day begins and ends at the Pitt Street meeting point.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at 497 Pitt StreetMeet near Barlow Street, a short walk from Central Station. The bus departs at 7.40am and will not wait, so arrive early.
2. Walkabout Wildlife SanctuaryOne hour at the sanctuary. Admission is not included in the tour price and forms part of the A$70 per person fee paid on the day.
3. Fat Cow Hunter ValleyA 30-minute stop with admission included in this portion of the day.
4. Pokolbin Estate VineyardOne hour at the vineyard, with admission included. Tasting fees for two venues total A$15 per person.
5. Oaks Cypress Lakes ResortOne hour at the resort, with admission not included. Lunch is optional on this tour, at A$30 per person, or guests may bring their own.
6. Wombat Crossing VineyardOne hour at the vineyard with admission included, the final tasting stop before the drive back.
7. Return to Pitt StreetThe tour ends back at the original meeting point in Sydney.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, from the early start and the on-the-day fees to what the group feels like in practice.

• Budget for fees. The A$70 per person wildlife entry, taxes and insurance charge must be paid directly to the guide on the day of the tour. Add the A$15 per person tasting fees for two venues when budgeting. One reviewer wished for more time at the sanctuary given the ticket price.
• Be on time. The bus leaves the Pitt Street meeting point at 7.40am, earlier than some listings suggest. It will depart without late arrivals and no refunds are given, so plan to arrive with time to spare and call the operator before 7.40am if lost.
• Dress for weather. The tour runs in all weather conditions, and the listing recommends dressing appropriately. The listing advises a smart casual dress code, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Speak up on wine. The tour carries a maximum of 11 travellers. Several reviewers said the guide asked what wines the group liked and tailored the winery stops to match, so it pays to mention preferences early in the day.
• Eating and drinking. Lunch is not included. The optional wine country lunch costs A$30 per person with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink, and guests may also bring their own food. Reviewers have mentioned lunch at a cheese shop and at a Thai restaurant, with positive comments on the food.
• Pace at the sanctuary. The sanctuary visit is one hour, and more than one reviewer said they would have liked longer there given the ticket price. Plan which animals matter most, since reviewers highlight koalas, kangaroos and their joeys as the highlights.

Common issues. The headline drawback is the extra cost on the day: A$70 per person for wildlife entry, taxes and insurance paid to the guide, plus A$15 per person in tasting fees and an optional A$30 lunch. Several reviewers wished the sanctuary stop were longer. The tour also requires a minimum number of travellers and can be cancelled if that minimum is not met, though a different date or a full refund is offered in that case. Hotel pickup is not included, and the bus leaves the meeting point strictly at 7.40am with no refund for no-shows.

Choosing Your Tour