07.12.2025. Today I had the opportunity to visit Potoroo Palace, a native animal sanctuary near Merimbula on the far south coast of NSW. Originally Yellow Pinch Wildlife Park, it opened in 1980. In 2006 it was purchased by Alexandra Seddon and now operates as a not-for-profit. (Alexandra is descended from Russian aristocracy, so I guess that’s where the palace reference comes from.)
I knew it was there, but had no idea what it was like before my visit. The only reference I had for it was that Conmurra had received animals from there to stock their sanctuary near Bathurst.
I arrived at 12pm and spent 1.5 hours at the park, which was ample time to see everything. My ticket cost $29.70 (10% Sunday surcharge) which is definitely too much, but I also understand that running a sanctuary costs money, so I always view these kind of admission fees as a donation towards conservation.
In the small cafe/gift shop, there was a map on the counter with a sign that said to take a photo of it, so I did. Each enclosure is numbered, so I’ll use the numbers on this map to order this review.
Exiting the building into the park, there was an empty vivarium which set the tone for the rest of the park, which had many empty enclosures. Each one had a sign stating it was empty, and outlining the reason why, which was mostly for renovation, though I assume what species are stocked depends on what comes in as rescues and surrenders.
There was a second enclosure which held a group of Australian Water Dragon.
Through the gate the rest of the park is aviaries, yards and some free-ranging species. There is a little ‘train’ that takes visitors around the main loop, which is only short, so it’s just a novelty for the kids.
Set in bushland, there are a fair few wild birds at the sanctuary, mostly Pacific Black Duck and Dusky Moorhen.
When I arrived there was a family getting ready for a train ride, I saw two ladies by one of the aviaries, and a family of three near the dingos, and that was it. Most of the time it felt like I had the park to myself.
1) This aviary was empty, ‘Chuffy’ had been moved to enclosure 4.
2) This aviary held one Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, ‘Max’, who was surrender by his owner. A lot of the animals at Potoroo Place are rescues or surrenders, and all have their names and stories signed on their enclosures. These animals serve as ambassadors for their species and conservation.
3) This exhibit held Long-nosed Potoroo, but I didn’t see any. Not surprising as they are nocturnal, and night encounters are available for guests who want to get a good look at them. It also held a couple of Domestic Budgerigar.
4) This decent sized aviary held one White-winged Chough, ‘Chuffy’, who was a rescue. There was also another little aviary here that was empty.
5) This exhibit was empty and said it is where some of the reptiles are housed on sunny days.
6) An exhibit with a large pond that held two Domestic Goose and one Radjah Shelduck, as well as many wild Pacific Black Duck and Dusky Moorhen.
I knew it was there, but had no idea what it was like before my visit. The only reference I had for it was that Conmurra had received animals from there to stock their sanctuary near Bathurst.
I arrived at 12pm and spent 1.5 hours at the park, which was ample time to see everything. My ticket cost $29.70 (10% Sunday surcharge) which is definitely too much, but I also understand that running a sanctuary costs money, so I always view these kind of admission fees as a donation towards conservation.
In the small cafe/gift shop, there was a map on the counter with a sign that said to take a photo of it, so I did. Each enclosure is numbered, so I’ll use the numbers on this map to order this review.
Exiting the building into the park, there was an empty vivarium which set the tone for the rest of the park, which had many empty enclosures. Each one had a sign stating it was empty, and outlining the reason why, which was mostly for renovation, though I assume what species are stocked depends on what comes in as rescues and surrenders.
There was a second enclosure which held a group of Australian Water Dragon.
Through the gate the rest of the park is aviaries, yards and some free-ranging species. There is a little ‘train’ that takes visitors around the main loop, which is only short, so it’s just a novelty for the kids.
Set in bushland, there are a fair few wild birds at the sanctuary, mostly Pacific Black Duck and Dusky Moorhen.
When I arrived there was a family getting ready for a train ride, I saw two ladies by one of the aviaries, and a family of three near the dingos, and that was it. Most of the time it felt like I had the park to myself.
1) This aviary was empty, ‘Chuffy’ had been moved to enclosure 4.
2) This aviary held one Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, ‘Max’, who was surrender by his owner. A lot of the animals at Potoroo Place are rescues or surrenders, and all have their names and stories signed on their enclosures. These animals serve as ambassadors for their species and conservation.
3) This exhibit held Long-nosed Potoroo, but I didn’t see any. Not surprising as they are nocturnal, and night encounters are available for guests who want to get a good look at them. It also held a couple of Domestic Budgerigar.
4) This decent sized aviary held one White-winged Chough, ‘Chuffy’, who was a rescue. There was also another little aviary here that was empty.
5) This exhibit was empty and said it is where some of the reptiles are housed on sunny days.
6) An exhibit with a large pond that held two Domestic Goose and one Radjah Shelduck, as well as many wild Pacific Black Duck and Dusky Moorhen.