DESCRIPTION
THE TOUR PROGRAMME
You will come “face to face” with these famous animals and be taken “behind-the-scenes” into the heart of a vital project to save the species from a strange contagious disease.
THE PENINSULA DEVIL CONSERVATION PROJECT
Our tour destination is the isolated Tasman Peninsula south east of Hobart where we are the key partners in a critical project to save the last truly safe wild Tasmanian devils left on Earth. Throughout most of Tasmania devil numbers have declined by about 80% because of a strange contagious cancer. Fortunately, however, the unique geography of the Tasman region has meant the cancer has not reached the area. Your expert guide will explain the disease problem and show how special barriers have been set up to maintain this disease-free status.
FACE TO FACE WITH TASMANIAN DEVILS
Our world first Unzoo project is home to our famous Tasmanian devils, super friendly kangaroos and other native wildlife all in a delightful bushland garden. There is no boundary fence so most of our animals and birds are free to visit when they wish. It is very different from a zoo. Here’s why: The Unzoo is a place where you can learn about our wild animals, plants and ecosystems through interaction with and immersion in our bushland habitats. A zoo is a park displaying live animals kept in cages for people to come and see.
LUNCH AND MORNING COFFEE INCLUDED
When you arrive at our Tasmanian Devil Unzoo it is time for coffee or hot chocolate before meeting our Tasmanian devils.We include a delicious three course Taste of the Tasman regional lunch that starts with fresh local oysters, seafood nibbles and a vegetarian dip served with baguette.Main course is locally produced barbecued quail or salmon with minted potatoes and salad.Fresh fruit in season with delicious cake and cream or a cheese platter make up dessert. Wines produced by Fred Peacock, the 2018 Australian Winemaker of the Year, and local juices and soft drinks also are included.
DEVIL TRACKER ECO-TOUR
After lunch you will join your guide on a “behind-the-scenes” tour into the secret world of wild Tasmanian devils. Our Land Rover will take you to devil feeding sites in forest near the Unzoo where we monitor a small group of devils that have been saved from a disease that threatens the species. It offers a fascinating insight into how we track wild devils and use high-tech cameras to capture images so we can check that these special animals remain disease-free.
