Wild Camping

Comfortable Camping

This is NOT glamping (your tent does not have power or a ceiling fan or an ensuite bathroom).

This is comfortable camping.

Do you like the idea of a night in the Australian bush, but not all the work and having to have your own camping gear? Would you prefer to have your own family-sized safari-style tent, all ready, set up and waiting for you?  Each tent is comfortably big enough for 4 adults, or 2 adults and 3 small children. And yes, there are hot showers and toilets, just a short walk from your tent. And you have a camp kitchen with all the basics you need to store your food and prepare your meals.

Spotlighting, a night with the animals

The Australian bush puts on an entrancing display of wild nature after dark. Bring a torch (flashlight) so you can explore the tracks at night to discover what the animals get up to in the evening and after dark. Meet Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary’s furry and scaly and spiky residents in the trees and undergrowth.

We will give you a safety briefing and information about how to be considerate towards the animals (and other guests) who appreciate the tranquillity of the bush at night.

We encourage guests to explore the sanctuary after dark, heeding the safety information given to you when you check in, using a flashlight so you don’t stand on small animals, and staying on the tracks.

You can add a ranger-led evening tour if you want to, but it is great fun to explore on your own.

If you have booked a ranger-led tour, your ranger will collect you from the veranda of the Visitor Centre (where you checked in) 5 minutes before your tour is due to start. Start time is usually an hour before sunset. You will be advised of the start time when you check in.

Campfire

Depending on the weather, we may have a campfire.

The campfire is NOT exclusive. Other guests NOT in your group may join you at the campfire.

There are safety rules and adults must ensure that children follow these rules. The campfire will be extinguished 2 hours after sunset. When you check in, we will tell you what time that will be. The reason we must put the campfire out for you is that our kangaroos are attracted to sweet sticky stuff like melted marshmallows so we MUST make sure the fire is not only out, but that the remnants are cold so our animals can’t burn their feet or their mouths.

Electricity, WiFi, Lights, LPGas (propane)

• There is WiFi in the camp kitchen and through most of the campsite
• There is electricity in the camp kitchen (tents do not have power outlets)
• There is gas for the BBQ
• There are lights in the camp kitchen and showers (no lights in tents, no lights throughout campsite, no lights along paths – bring a flashlight)

Planning your meals

Campers usually self-cater. Walkabout can cater meals for larger groups (talk to us if you’d like a quote).

We do NOT have a restaurant at Walkabout Park, and entry gates are locked between 5pm and 8am so going to a local restaurant in the evening is not an option.

Although we do usually serve hot pies during the day at the visitor centre, this is only “while stocks last” and only between 10:30am and 4pm.

It is important that you pack your food in an animal-proof container so that the kangaroos and emus don’t raid your tent while you are out. Although there is a fridge, it is not large, so we recommend you bring food that does not need refrigeration.

You do have to carry your own gear

We recommend that you bring as little gear as you can.

It would be too dangerous for the animals to let people drive their cars inside the sanctuary where the animals roam free. Be ready for a short walk carrying your own gear (approximately 300 meters).

Wheeled cases are not recommended because the ground is compressed earth and pretty bumpy or soft in parts.

Walkabout does not have porters to carry guest’s luggage, and our rangers are usually busy caring for the animals so may not be around to help you. We may have a trolley for you to borrow to move your gear. Please ask at reception when you check in.

Arriving at Walkabout

Check-in

Usual check-in time is between 3pm and 4pm, unless you have booked an early or late check-in.

At check-in time, take your luggage to reception. You will get a map of the sanctuary with a schedule of day-time activities, as well as a page answering frequently asked questions. Most importantly, you will be given easy-to-follow safety information about the animals. This animal safety information is vital as you will be sleeping in, and walking through, the animals’ world.

Once you have been given your safety briefing, you can take your luggage to your tent and settle in. After that, you are free to wander around and start meeting the animals.

At a pre-arranged time (you will be advised when you check in), your ranger will meet you at the campsite to show you where all the facilities are and how to use the camp kitchen.

Early arrival (without early check-in)

You are welcome to arrive early if you want to visit the animals before the campsite is ready for you. Leave your gear in the car until check-in time.

Planning your day-time experience

You are welcome to spend both days in the sanctuary. However, if you are planning to spend only one day in the sanctuary and you’re not sure if this should be your first (arrival) day or your second (check-out) day, we recommend the second day. Part of the magic of a Wild Sleep Out is first meeting the animals in the late afternoon, exploring their world overnight, then spending the next day getting to know the animals you met the previous night.

Late check-in

If you have pre-booked a late check-in after the gates are locked for the night (to keep the animals safe), we will have someone on site to let you in when you arrive. However, you will need to phone us on 02 43751100 so we know that you are at the gate.

Rules

Children

Adults must supervise the children in their care at all times and ensure children behave considerately towards people and animals, follow the directions of the rangers, and comply with all Walkabout rules.

Alcohol

Campers are not permitted to drink alcohol. We must make sure not only that everyone is safe, but also that no-one feels uncomfortable about someone else’s behaviour. At Walkabout’s sole discretion, anyone whose behaviour appears to be alcohol or drug affected, and/or is perceived to be engaging in dangerous or inconsiderate behaviour, will be required to leave immediately and at their own cost, even if this requires a taxi, in which case there will be no refund!

Booking and Payment

Bookings are essential, and may be made online, or by email or telephone (02) 4375 1100. Full payment must be made at the time of booking.

Terms & Conditions

We don’t refund if you change your mind. However, if you give us at least 1 week’s notice, we can change the date of your booking on payment of a $25 rebooking fee.

Optional extras may be added at any time but are subject to availability, so it is best to add these at time of booking to avoid disappointment.

A current credit card plus photo ID must be produced on check-in.

Security deposit

You will need to pay a $200 security deposit in case of damage including breakages, extraordinary cleaning or losses. The deposit is fully refunded when you check out providing that there are no damages. Although refunds are processed on the day you check out, there may be a delay before your bank shows the money is back in your account.

Cancellation by Walkabout

This is an all-weather event so we usually go ahead in the rain. However, if Walkabout believes the weather or other conditions may be unsafe for people or animals, we will cancel a booking. Whenever possible, you will be contacted in advance so it is important that you give us contact details that we can use to reach you right up until the time of your arrival. If we cancel your booking you will be given the option of either rescheduling to another date, or receiving a full refund. In the event of bad weather and if you have not heard from us, please call (02) 4375 1100 before 11am on the day of your booking to find out whether the program is going ahead. Note, cancellation due to weather is extremely unlikely as this is an all-weather event, so bring your rain gear as the rain just adds another dimension of fun to the experience.