The park was established in 1967 as a sanctuary specifically for indigenous Australian fauna.
It is situated within the Mount Lofty Ranges, providing a high-altitude cool-climate habitat for many species.
Cleland operates under the management of the South Australian Department for Environment and Water.
The park serves as an educational research facility for the study of local marsupial behavior.
Unlike most zoos, the park layout permits kangaroos to move between the animal enclosures and the neighboring Cleland Conservation Park bushland.
Cleland Wildlife Park is a non-captive environment located in the Adelaide Hills, allowing visitors to walk freely among native Australian wildlife. The park is world-renowned for its regulated koala-holding experiences and hand-feeding opportunities for kangaroos, wallabies, and emus. It serves as a significant rehabilitation center for injured or orphaned animals found in the region. The sanctuary covers 35 hectares of indigenous bushland within the Cleland Conservation Park. Unlike traditional zoos, the park operates as a sanctuary where animals have the freedom to roam throughout the natural habitat. It remains a key site for observing nocturnal species and diverse birdlife in a protected forest ecosystem.
The designated koala interaction area provides the best opportunity for close-range photography.
Purchase animal food at the entrance kiosk to interact directly with the free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the hilly, natural terrain effectively.
Check the daily presentation schedule upon arrival to catch keeper talks on dingoes, wombats, and reptiles.
Attempting to touch animals that are not explicitly designated for interaction, such as snakes or dingoes, unless supervised by staff.
Open daily except for Christmas Day; may close temporarily during extreme weather events such as high fire danger days.
Do not feed animals food brought from outside; silence mobile devices near animal enclosures; maintain a respectful distance from animals that choose not to interact.
