“To my knowledge, you will be the first to test and develop a fully-functioning example of what I believe will become the zoo or ‘unzoo’ of the future”. – International designer Jon Coe to Unzoo director john Hamilton in 2007.

The “wildlife without cages” Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is a global leader in shaping the way zoos can evolve in the 21st century.

The bush animals are wild and come and go as they wish. There are no boundary fences, cages nor aviaries.

There are two ways to visit:

Join an expert guide on a nature walk along easy-grade bushland trails where you’ll come face to face with the resident famous Tasmanian devils. Hand-feed friendly forester kangaroos, meet endemic wattlebirds, parrots, wallabies, echidnas, native fish and nearly 100 wild bird species. The entrance fee helps preserve the Tasmanian devil. Allow 90 minutes to two hours.

The half day Devil Tracker 4WD Eco-Tour takes you into nearby forest to a critical project where special night cameras are used to monitor and help preserve the last isolated, natural population of devils left in the world. This includes an Unzoo visit. On-line bookings a must.

Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is open every day (except 25 December) at Taranna, about an hour’s drive from Hobart on the way to Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula.