Choose Date
See Kangaroos and Koalas in Canberra City Centre - A Wildlife Experience Tour for You
On this half-day Best of Wildlife tour you’ll be picked up from your Canberra City Centre accommodation for a late-afternoon journey through rural Canberra to the Deep Space Tracking Station at Tidbinbilla, where you’ll learn about the site’s role in the Apollo missions and modern deep-space tracking, then continue a short distance into the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to experience some of Australia’s most iconic native animals in the wild; throughout the reserve you’ll hope to spot and get close to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, platypus, colourful parrots and other birds, and emus, finishing with a relaxed 30–40 minute return to your accommodation in Canberra.
About this activity in Canberra City Centre
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Travel from Canberra City Centre in the late afternoon to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for prime wildlife viewing when animals are most active.
- Visit the historic Deep Space Tracking Station en route to learn about its role in the Apollo missions and ongoing deep-space tracking.
- Spot iconic Australian animals in the wild - kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus, colourful parrots and, if you're lucky, a platypus.
- Half-day format means a relaxed afternoon itinerary with plenty of time for photography, short walks and guided interpretation of the local environment.
Important Information
- Duration: roughly a half-day tour - expect about 30–40 minutes each way between Canberra and Tidbinbilla, plus time inside the reserve.
- Best time: afternoon departures maximise the chance of seeing native wildlife active in cooler light; bring a camera and binoculars for better viewing.
- Comfort and clothing: wear sturdy shoes and bring weather-appropriate layers - the reserve can be cool and changeable even near Canberra.
- Wildlife sightings are frequent but not guaranteed; your guide will focus on quiet, respectful viewing to increase the chance of close encounters.
Meeting Point
Meet at your accommodation in Canberra City Centre; your guide will confirm a lobby pickup time for the afternoon departure.
Includes
- You’ll be picked up in a comfortable tour vehicle-perfect for starting your Canberra City Centre experience relaxed and ready to explore.
- Pickup is available from major hotel and motel chains, so you can join the tour directly from your accommodation in the area.
- Entry to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is included, giving you direct access to one of the region’s notable natural sites.
- An expert local tour guide accompanies the trip to provide informed commentary and help you make the most of your visit here.
Excludes
- Water and snacks are not included, so plan to bring your own refreshments for the duration of the outing.
Other
- Service animals are allowed, ensuring accessible participation for travelers who need support animals.
- Public transportation options are available nearby, making it easy to reach the meeting point from across the area.
- The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels, so you can enjoy the reserve regardless of your activity baseline.
Customer Reviews
9/10
Based on 10 Reviews
Summary:
The guide Nile is very jind, helpful , and knowledgeable . It was a nice trip. We saw birds , platypus, koala, and Kangaroos. The guide was the best. He has his own books in birds. It was wonderful experience.
Read More
Summary:
Great opportunity to see Australian animals and plants in the bush. Neil (our guide) was knowledgeable about history and stories from the past. He knew where to bring us to see kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, kookaburras, platypus and emus. We saw several varieties of birds and some koalas too. Our children also thoroughly enjoyed this tour. I highly recommend this tour.
Read More
Summary:
This was a wonderful experience led by our friendly and well-informed guide, Neil! We were very pleased to see wombats, koalas, kangaroos, platypuses, and wallabies (as well as many different types of birds). I found the stopover at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex to be particularly interesting. It was also great to be able to just look out the window at the landscapes without worrying about driving. Highly recommended!
Read More
Other Popular Activities in Canberra City Centre
Explore top attractions and memorable experiences, including iconic observation decks and family-friendly activities.
64 activities found
5-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $42Per Person
5-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $88Per Person
5-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $999Per Person
5-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $694Per Person
5-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $472Per Person
5-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $14Per Person
5-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $106Per Person
5-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $185Per Person
3-Star Rating Recommendation
From
US $12Per Person
Explore Canberra City Centre: Book Your Tours, Culture, Food
Book Events and activities in Canberra City Centre, Canberra to tap into top offerings across Art & Culture, Food & Drink and Tours & Sightseeing tailored for groups, couples and families. You’ll discover Workshops & Learning, Shows & Entertainment and Outdoor & Nature options alongside Family & Kids and Group-Friendly experiences that fit multi-day and full-day plans. Use Varoom to compare Services, Transportation & Rides and event listings here and secure bookings that align with the experiences you want in the heart of the region.
764 ft²
2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
Family Friendly
Apartment
- Fireplace/Heating
- Balcony/Terrace
- Kitchen
US $119/Night
For 7 Nights US $833
645.83 ft²
4 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
Free Cancellation
Apartment
- Hot Tub
- Pool
- Parking
US $130/Night
For 7 Nights US $908
2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
Family Friendly
Apartment
- Fireplace/Heating
- Pool
- Balcony/Terrace
US $111/Night
For 7 Nights US $774
753 ft²
4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Family Friendly
Apartment
- Fireplace/Heating
- Balcony/Terrace
- Pet Friendly
US $285/Night
For 7 Nights US $1,994
Know more about Canberra City Centre
You’ll travel in the best part of the afternoon to maximise wildlife sightings, visiting the Deep Space Tracking Station en route and then exploring Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to see iconic Australian animals like kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus, colourful parrots and, hopefully, platypus.
Yes - the itinerary is timed to maximise sightings, and through the reserve you’ll have the chance to spot platypus toward the end of the tour as well as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus and many bird species.
You’ll combine wildlife viewing in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve with a cultural-technical stop at the Deep Space Tracking Station to learn about its role in the Apollo missions and modern deep space tracking before returning to Canberra.
The tour is a half-day afternoon experience: pickup at your accommodation, a 30–40 minute drive to the Deep Space Tracking Station, time learning about its role in the Apollo missions, followed by guided wildlife viewing in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and a 30–40 minute return to your accommodation.
Yes - the tour is family-friendly and suitable for all physical fitness levels, offering comfortable vehicle pickup from major hotels and a guided, accessible walk through the reserve so you can enjoy wildlife viewing without strenuous activity.
Pickup is provided from your accommodation in a comfortable tour vehicle, with collection from major hotel and motel chains in the Canberra area, then a short drive to the Deep Space Tracking Station and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for the afternoon tour.
