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| Image by Siggy Nowak from Pixabay |
Yes, we should definitely celebrate Wombats, another of Australia’s endearing marsupials and a near relative of the Koala. In fact, I know of very few people who don’t fall in love with them at first sight – except perhaps farmers who dislike their fences being demolished or home owners who don’t like their foundations undermined.
They are round and furry, about a metre long when fully grown and built like a small tanks. With their cute bear -like faces and purposeful gait, they are found in many parts of Tasmania – you are sure to meet one or two at Cradle Mountain. They are also found in Victoria, in bushland along the East Coast of Australia and occasionally in pockets of grassland in Western Australia, South Australia and outback New South Wales.
They come in three flavours – The Northern hairy -nosed, the Southern hairy -nosed and the bare -nosed. While the “Bare – Nosed “ which we have here in Tasmania are of least concern according to the UN, there are only 400 Northern Hairy -nosed wombats left in a small protected area of Queensland and the Southern Hairy -nosed Wombat is endangered in New South Wales.
Totally vegetarian, they have a number of unusual traits such as having a backward -facing pouch so their young don’t get covered in dirt as they dig their impressive burrows. The babies are born blind and hairless and spend at least 6 months in their mother’s pouch. Adult males can weigh as much as 20 -30Kgs and can live into their 30s. They happily sleep for 16 hours a day, but generally come out at dusk to feed. They have also perfected the art of the square poo, which they use to mark their territory or attract mates. That way it stays put and doesn’t roll away. One of the few defences they have, is that they can crush would – be predators against the walls of their burrow with their reinforced hindquarters.
The good news is, that the number of the Northern Hairy – nosed Wombats seems to have increased slightly from 160 to 400, since I last wrote about them about 5 years ago and there is now a cure for the Sarcoptic Mange which was decimating our Tasmanian ones. Unfortunately, it requires long and dedicated care and is very difficult to carry out on wild populations. If you see a Wombat scratching a lot – no, that’s not cute, have moth -eaten -looking fur or in otherwise poor condition – not round and smooth or with its hip bones sticking out, then report it to the nearest ranger or wildlife refuge, as they may have the means to help.
Do not ever, try to pick one up or make a pet of it -see the video below. If it is a young one, its mother may reject it and they are dependent on their mothers for a very long time. Older ones, especially males, may bite and scratch and can be a handful as they mature. Enjoy our wild animals in the wild or in a wildlife park or zoo if you want a closer encounter. The animals there have been rescued and are either being prepared for a return to the wild, or have become so dependent on humans, that they can no longer do so. They have often been victims of car accidents or dogs -wild or domestic, so keep your dog on a leash in the bush and drive slowly on our roads, especially around dusk, when not only wombats but other marsupials like to come out to dine. Bushfires also bring a large number of injured animals into shelters for recovery.
If you want to help Wombats, volunteer at one of the shelters and learn how to do it properly. Absolutely do not try to feed them cow’s milk or human food. Otherwise, support those who are looking after them or doing research or contribute to saving their habitat through conservation initiatives, rewilding projects or the establishment of sanctuaries on private land.
Finally, take every action you can to prevent further Climate Change – get solar, go electric if you can afford it, or go by bike or public transport. The endangered wombats particularly, have enough difficulty adapting to increasing term threats such as bush fires, drought and flooding much less long term changes to their habitat, especially if already endangered and their range is fragmented, hence the importance of creating connected corridors of bushland.
If you find sick, orphaned or injured wildlife in Tasmania, call Boronong Wildlife Park (0447264625), who will tell you what to do. This even applies to dead animals as marsupials may have young in their pouch, or, where there is a lot of roadkill, it may be time to reduce speed limits or take other protective measures.
Top Wild Wombat-Watching Spots in Tasmania
1. Cradle Mountain – Ronny Creek
• Located in Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park
• Famous for wombats grazing near the boardwalks at Ronny Creek
• Best seen in the late afternoon or early evening
• Easy access and high visibility make it a top choice
2. Maria Island
• Off Tasmania’s east coast, accessible by ferry from Triabunna
• A wombat haven — they roam freely across the island
• Also home to kangaroos, wallabies, and Tasmanian devils
• No cars, no shops — just wildlife and walking tracks
3. Flinders Island
• Remote and peaceful, located in Bass Strait
• Home to a blonder subspecies of wombat
• Best explored via Flinders Island Air Charters or guided tours
• Offers a mix of beaches, mountains, and wombat sightings
4. Narawntapu National Park
• Located on Tasmania’s north coast, near Devonport
• Known as the “Serengeti of Tasmania” for its abundant wildlife
• Wombats often seen grazing in open grasslands
• Also features wallabies, pademelons, and birdlife
If you miss out here, wildlife parks and zoos provide other opportunities to become acquainted with wombats.
Key Wombat Refuges and Sanctuaries in Australia
1. Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary – Gundaroo, NSW
• Specialises in rehabilitating sick, injured, orphaned, and illegally kept wombats.
• Offers re -wilding programs to ensure wombats are ready for bush survival.
• Run by passionate carers — wombats have names like Digger, Daphne, and VB.
2. Majors Creek Wombat Refuge – South Eastern NSW
• A volunteer-run, self-funded refuge.
• Raises orphaned “pinkies” and rehabilitates injured adults.
• No government funding — relies on donations and community support.
3. Australian Wombat Rehabilitation Centre (AWRC) – South Australia
• The largest wombat facility in the world.
• Operated by the Wombat Awareness Organisation.
• Focuses exclusively on wombat welfare and habitat protection.
4. Wombat Rescue NSW/ACT Inc
• Founded by Yolandi Vermaak, who began rescue drives to find injured wombats.
• Coordinates mange treatment, public education, and emergency response.
• Active in rural road rescues and rehabilitation.
5. Wombat Protection Society of Australia (WPSA) – National
• A not-for-profit focused on research, education, and habitat protection.
• Funds mange treatment programs and supports carers across Australia.
• Maintains a national database of wombat care and conservation efforts.
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