Tasmania's Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary & Richmond

 

Tasmania is a region of diverse and wild beauty. Sea cliffs, big ocean, rare rock formations, tranquil rivers, glacial tarns and alpine mountains. This is the edge of the world. Framed by the rugged figure of Mount Wellington and the flow of the wide River Derwent, with wilderness lingering nearby, it’s cultural and dining experiences that thrive in Hobart, Australia's second-oldest city, is where most of the Tassie locals live. 

Taking a shore excursion from the Silver Nova, we visited Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary that was established in 1981 as a sanctuary for injured and orphaned wildlife, and where Greg Irons, the director of Bonorong, has put together a new kind of wildlife rescue program dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and preservation of native Australian animals. Bonorong actively participates in various conservation projects, contributes to breeding programs, research initiatives, and advocacy for the protection of Tasmania's wildlife, and became Tasmania's first veterinary hospital dedicated to taking in animals hit by cars, attacked by other animals or orphaned or sick. With no wildlife rescue service operating out of business hours, Greg set up Friends of Carers Wildlife Program, the first community run wildlife assistance service in the state that arranges free training on basic wildlife rescue, transport and temporary care, and provides Bonorong with a database of willing people on call, and has amazingly enlisted more than 200 volunteers. 

After Bonorong, we visited the charming historic town of Richmond, located half an hour northeast of Hobart. Renowned for its well-preserved 1820s Georgian architecture, Richmond boasts Australia's oldest bridge, and the oldest operating Catholic Church of St John the Evangelist. A popular, scenic spot, known for its bakery, local cafes, and proximity to the Coal River Valley wineries, the town was a former 19th-century convict station and military outpost, offering a glimpse into colonial life through preserved sandstone buildings, heritage walks, and the nearby Coal Mines Historic Site. 

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Owner/Ditector Greg Irons

Tassie devils are critically endangered and there are only 10–12 thousand of them left in the world

These devils play an important role in educating visitors about the species and the challenges it faces in the wild, including the devastating facial tumour disease affecting populations across Tasmania

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a large mob of free-roaming Forester kangaroos

Visitors can hand-feed and interact with these gentle, rehabilitated kangaroos, 

which also enjoy chest scratches and a snack or two

As a private sanctuary, Bonorong cares for orphaned and injured wildlife,

with many being rescues that cannot be released back into the wild

A rescued baby Pademelon, where roadkill and habitat loss are significant threats 

to these darling little creatures

Bonorong is an active participant in the Tasmanian Quoll Conservation Program, 

providing this cunning little carnivore with hope for the future

 While the Tasmanian emu went extinct around 1865, the emus at Bonorong are mainland emus 

and serve as ambassadors for the species

Emus are generally considered gentle, curious, and intelligent birds that can become quite tame 

and affectionate with human interaction, often following caretakers

The laughing kookaburra native to eastern Australia makes a very familiar call 

sounding like raucous laughter

This wildlife keeper handles the rescued short beaked echidnas, which are often victims of car strikes, and then rehabilitated at the sanctuary

Animals are often cared for by registered wildlife volunteers until they are ready 

to be released back into the wild

Echidnas are found all over Australia, including Tasmania

I spoke with this lovely volunteer who was caring for a rescued baby wombat

that was brought in by a person who found it in their garden, abandoned by its mother

As a private sanctuary, Bonorong cares for orphaned and injured wildlife,

and depends on donations and visitor entries

Rescued as a baby, this wee little wombat is nestled in this fleece pouch 

on her knee, to keep the little one warm and secure

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary has Tasmania's first veterinary hospital dedicated to wildlife

A vineyard in Tasmania's famous Coal Valley

Richmond Bridge was built in 1823 and is the oldest in Australia 

St John the Evangelist Church is Australia's oldest Catholic church, 

as it was officially opened in 1837

The Tasmanian Lavender Company on Bridge Street

The smell of lavender was intoxicating

We found this old newspaper from 1864 in an Antique Shop in Richmond

The Bridge Inn Mews in Richmond

www.bonorong.com.au