Devils@Cradle After Dark Feeding Tours

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Tasmanian devils come alive after dark, and this evening tour at Devils@Cradle puts you beside a group of them at feeding time, under soft lighting, with a keeper explaining every shriek and squabble. Your ticket also gets you into the sanctuary by day.

Days

About 1 hour 15 minutes

Age

All ages; children 3 and under free

Group size

Keeper-led group tour

Start / finish

Devils@Cradle sanctuary, Cradle Mountain / same place

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

No transport; parking on site

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Devils@Cradle After Dark Feeding Tours

View map

Included experiences

Viewing deck — introduction to devils, eastern quolls and spotted-tail quolls
Evening feeding — watch Tasmanian devils eat as a group under low lighting
Keeper talk — biology, behaviour, threats and conservation
Daytime visit — sanctuary entry within 24 hours of the tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EVENING: ARRIVING AT THE SANCTUARY

You'll find the sanctuary on Cradle Mountain Road, just before the gate into Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area since 1982. Cradle Mountain itself rises to 1,545 metres, and up here the weather turns fast, so bring a warm layer even in summer. The tour starts in the early evening, and in the summer daylight saving months it is more of a twilight visit. In the busiest summer weeks an identical later tour runs after dark. Arrive early and you can look around on your own until it begins.

ON THE VIEWING DECK

The keeper opens on the main viewing deck with a short introduction to the sanctuary's three species. The Tasmanian devil is the largest meat-eating marsupial alive. The eastern quoll has been gone from mainland Australia since the 1960s and survives in the wild only in Tasmania. The spotted-tailed quoll is the bigger quoll, with spots running down its tail. All three are night animals, so this is when they wake up. Then the keeper leads the group outside into the grounds.

THE DEVILS' DINNER

Under low lighting chosen not to disturb them, you watch a group of devils fed together, on food such as a wallaby leg. Devils eat as a mob, with shrieks, growls and the crunch of bone, and their jaws are strong enough to eat almost everything, bones and fur included. That noise in the bush at night is how early settlers came to call them devils. Watching a group of devils feed this close is a rare thing, even in Tasmania.

THE KEEPER'S TALK

While the devils eat, the keeper talks about their biology and social life, and the threats they face in the wild: devil facial tumour disease, which has killed most wild devils since the 1990s, and cars on country roads at night. Drive slowly on your way back to your bed. The tour takes about an hour and a quarter, and your ticket also covers daytime entry to the sanctuary within 24 hours, so you can come back to see the animals by daylight.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Devils@Cradle, 3950 Cradle Mountain Road, about 1.2 km past the Cradle Mountain visitor centre and bus terminal. On-site parking for cars and campervans; there is no pick-up.
Departure time: Daily at 5:30pm, with an extra 8:30pm tour in the summer school holidays. Your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 1 hour 15 minutes.
Minimum age: All ages. Children 3 and under are free; all children must be with an adult.
Fitness: An easy walk, but the grounds have uneven ground, steps, woodchip paths and gravel, and it is dark.
Suits: Families, wildlife lovers and anyone staying at Cradle Mountain overnight. Wheelchairs can reach the main viewing deck and the grounds through a side gate, though not every area is accessible.
Please note: The sanctuary is outdoors at altitude, and rain, snow and wind are possible all year. Tours run in all weather except severe storms. Drive slowly after dark on the way back; devils and quolls feed on roadkill at night and are hard to see. Open every day except Christmas Day.

What to bring

Warm, waterproof clothing; evenings at Cradle Mountain are cold, often below freezing in winter
Sensible walking shoes
Some cash, in case card machines are down

What is included

Keeper-guided evening feeding tour
General entry to the sanctuary, 9:30am to 5pm, within 24 hours of the tour

Not included

Transport to the sanctuary
Food and drink

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 9 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We did the evening feeding and it was excellent, with knowledgeable, engaging staff. Completely recommend it.

Naomi M Verified· Travelled 20th October 2026

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(5/5)

A small sanctuary where you can see Tasmanian devils and quolls up close. The staff and tours really stand out, and the after dark feeding tour in particular showed great detail, knowledge and passion for the animals.

Pip McDonald Verified· Travelled 28th September 2026

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(5/5)

We did an after dark feeding tour and it was amazing. The keeper was knowledgeable, engaging and clearly loves the job. The animals are well cared for in clean, spacious enclosures built like their natural habitat, and it was inspiring to learn about the conservation work for devils and quolls.

Dominika Jagoda Verified· Travelled 20th September 2026

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(5/5)

We did the night-time tour and were captivated watching the devils eat dinner and get up to their antics. The keeper was engaging and passionate, talking about the threats the species faces and the real difference conservation work is making.

Miranda Stocco Verified· Travelled 14th September 2026

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(5/5)

Well worth the late evening feeding time, as the devils and quolls are hungry then, know it's dinner time and come out of their dens. Very well presented by a guide full of information.

Norma Speight Verified· Travelled 12th August 2026

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(5/5)

We did the after dark feeding tour and it was phenomenal, with an excellent presenter, well cared for animals and beautiful habitats. Arrive half an hour to an hour early to look around, and rug up in winter.

Lisha Notting Verified· Travelled 11th August 2026

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