Where can I get my hands on a wombat? Literally.

January 4, 2021 11:17 PM

So I've now interacted with most of the animals on my bucket list: kangaroo, quokka, koala, otter, sugar glider, penguin. All the cute ones and pretty much all at animal sanctuaries. Last one on the list? WOMBAT. So where can I pet, scritch or tummy rub a wombat in a supportive environment?
posted by rileyray3000 to Pets & Animals (9 answers total)

Which continent are you on? If you are in Australia, you can get wombat cuddles in Ballarat, Perth, Tasmania, etc.
Personally, I wouldn't try to cuddle one in the wild.
posted by Thella at 11:33 PM on January 4, 2021 [2 favorites]

Wombat Encounter at the Australia Zoo.
Wombat Encounter at Moonlit Sanctuary near Melbourne
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:50 PM on January 4, 2021 [1 favorite]

The Wild Life zoo in Sydney (Darling Harbour) suggest their wombat may accept pats. I second warning against touching wild ones, though if you know where to go camping you can probably spend an evening surrounded by the sound of munching.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 11:50 PM on January 4, 2021

I second warning against touching wild ones

Thirded. If you manage to corner one it will be freaking out, and those Powerful Digging Claws™ make a hell of an attack weapon that also moves ridiculously fast.
posted by flabdablet at 2:24 AM on January 5, 2021

Not a recommendation of where to touch a wombat, but if you are ever in the south-east of Australia I highly recommend a visit to Wilson's Promontory. You can see so many beautiful animals including wombats. One even came into our cabin once!

For emphasis: please don't touch them in the wild, though.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:39 AM on January 5, 2021

OP said "So where can I pet, scritch or tummy rub a wombat in a supportive environment?" I don't think they're planning to take on one in the wild.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:06 AM on January 5, 2021 [12 favorites]

I've seen a UK tourist (friend-of-a-friend) do the wombat experience at Australia Zoo. They got what they were after, I think - cuddle and scritch, one-on-one (plus handler).

The whole place has an awful theme-park fleece-Chinese-tourists vibe to it, but I think I'm spoiled by Royal Melbourne Zoo and Healesville, who don't let you pay extra for close encounters.
posted by pompomtom at 6:22 AM on January 5, 2021

Hi hello hi. I do not have anything helpful to add, because I do not know anything about where to scritch a wombat, but I would very much like to know where to scritch those other animals you mentioned, if you would be so kind
posted by schadenfrau at 1:13 PM on January 5, 2021 [1 favorite]

I haven't scritched a wombat yet, but I've done the interactive experiences at Perth Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary and can highly recommend both. Also: consider adding echidnas to your list if you are near Healesville. Freakin' adorable up close!
posted by harriet vane at 6:27 AM on January 6, 2021