This SA Wildlife Sanctuary is Opening to the Public for One Day

The Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary, run by Australian Wildlife Conservancy, will open to the public as part of the SA Nature Festival.

 

On the 4th of October 2024, visitors will be welcomed to Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary. The reserve is less than two hours from Adelaide on Ngarrindjeri Country and is a 1,100-hectare feral predator-free fenced reserve that homes some of the most threatened mammals in Australia.

One of Australia’s longest-running reintroduction programs at Yookamurra has resulted in the establishment of strong populations of highly endangered species such as bilbies, numbats, and Burrowing and Brush-tailed bettongs. Yookamurra is also home to the Southern Hairy-nosed wombat, Western pygmy possum, and the Common dunnart.

Numbat catching termite Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary | Photo by Alexandra Ross

Take a Guided Stroll Through the Reserve

On the open day, a two-hour guided Morning Walk will wander through 600-year-old mallee woodland that provides a habitat for up to 110 bird species. Participants will learn how to find diggings, burrows, and scats of the local mammals along the way. Fingers crossed, you might see illusive numbats or the spectacular ground-dwelling Mallee fowl.

The Morning Walk at Yookamurra starts at 10am and bookings are required, with tickets costing $15 per person. All visitors are asked to wear enclosed footwear, long pants, and long-sleeved tops, and to BYO water and snacks.

The night spotlight tour is sold out, but lucky participants may see bilbies, bettongs, and possums.

Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary Mallee woodland | Photo by Wayne Lawler

SA Nature Festival

The theme for this year’s South Australia Nature Festival is awe, with over 400 nature-inspired events and activities happening across the state.

Helen Crisp, AWC Regional Ecologist says, ‘We’re really excited to be part of this year’s SA Nature Festival and to provide the public a unique opportunity to see firsthand the important conservation work Australian Wildlife Conservancy is conducting just two hours outside of Adelaide’.

South Australia’s Nature Festival runs from 28th September to 13th October and is the fifth year the festival has been run.

Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary open day | Photo by M Elderfield

Feature photo by Wayne Lawler