Learn about Birds of Prey at Eagles Heritage Raptor Wildlife Centre in Margaret River! Watch flight displays, plus have a bird of prey sit on your arm!
For the long Easter weekend, I went down south to Margaret River, a gorgeous region famous for its wineries, beaches and surfing, located in the south west corner of Western Australia. While it rained most of the time there (which sadly disrupted my snorkeling and rockpool exploring plans), I decided to find a really quirky activity to do in the region that would be both fun and educational as an alternative.
I came across Eagles Heritage Raptor Wildlife Centre on TripAdvisor and was instantly impressed with their high ratings and their worthy cause – preserving and rehabilitating injured eagles, hawks, falcons and owls in Australia while educating visitors more about these majestic (often misunderstood) birds of prey. Also, not going to lie – as soon as I read that you get to put on a glove and have a bird of prey sit on your arm I was instantly sold – I had to visit this place before I left Margaret River!
When I got there, I thought it was so beautiful – set in natural bushland setting, the centre is relaxing to walk through itself. The flight display started at 11:00am where we watched black kites (medium-sized raptors) fly and eat food.
Then – the moment I’ve been waiting for – he brought out Ivy the Barn Owl – a sweet raptor with a cute personality to sit on each individual’s arm while he educated us more about owls and other raptors. It was such a wonderful, up-close experience! After the show, we were free to roam around the area to observe their other birds of prey. And yes – the famous wedged tail eagle can be observed here too! Such a beast in size!
More About Eagles Heritage
Eagles Heritage was established in 1987 out of a need to provide homes for permanently disabled birds of prey and owls which had been handed in and cared for by volunteers, but which, due to the nature of their injuries, were unable to make a recovery sufficient for their return to the wild. The park opened its gates to the public for the first time on New Year’s Day in 1998. The fauna you see on display at Eagles Heritage are permanently disabled rehabilitation patients, captive bred birds and individuals which have been transferred in from other facilities. Many more birds are rehabilitated and returned to the wild each year.
Away from the public view, seven acres at Eagles Heritage has been set aside for wildlife rehabilitation, including a hospital and specialised facilities designed to help sick, injured and orphaned raptors return to the wild. The centre provides training and support for volunteer wildlife rehabilitators who wish to work with these unique and amazing birds. Education opportunities are also available for animal health professionals and students seeking to expand their skills.
Eagles Heritage is associated with the Society for the Preservation of Raptors (Inc.), a not-for-profit association dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and conservation of birds of prey and owls. When you visit them, your admission and purchases help them to continue their work in the area of wildlife conservation. Now that’s awesome!
Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 4:15 pm.
Open six days a week, closed Fridays.
During the Western Australian school holidays they are open seven days except for Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Flight Display Times: 11:00 am and 1:30 pm
Weather permitting.
Contact
Address: 341 Boodjidup Rd, Margaret River WA 6285
Website: http://www.eaglesheritage.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eaglesheritage/
Phone: (08) 9757 2960 (within Australia) or +61 8 9757 2960 (international)
Admission Prices
ADULT – $17.00
CHILD – $10.00
FAMILY – $50.00 (2 Adults / 2 Children; extra children $8.00 each)
SENIOR – $15.00 (Seniors Card holders, Aged Pension Card holders, Carers Card holders.)
For group rates (parties of 15 and over) please contact them. Special needs groups are welcome.
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Have you visited Eagles Heritage in Margaret River? Did Ivy the Barn Owl sit on your arm too, or another bird of prey? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear how your experience was!
