Business Spotlight - Wildlife Wonders

Published on 27 August 2026

Building Success Through Local Connections: Wildlife Wonders Shares Its Tourism Story

Pictured: Wildlife Wonders' Shayne Neal and Lizzie Corke.

Since opening in 2021 during one of the most challenging periods for the tourism industry, Wildlife Wonders has demonstrated the power of community connections, collaboration and strategic partnerships to build a thriving visitor attraction in Apollo Bay.

Opening at a time when international visitation to the Great Ocean Road had all but stopped, the Wildlife Wonders team focused on creating meaningful experiences for residents. Through weekly story time sessions, children's activities, school holiday programs and a welcoming café experience, the organisation built strong local support that continues to underpin its success today.

According to Wildlife Wonders General Manager Lizzie Corke, local relationships remain the business's most valuable marketing tool.

"Word of mouth is genuinely our most valuable marketing channel," Lizzie said. "The best way to fuel it is making sure local operators know us well enough to recommend us to their guests, and local community members are confident to recommend us to visiting friends and relatives."

Initiatives such as the popular "Love Your Locals" program, which allows Apollo Bay residents to bring a friend on a complimentary tour, and partnerships with accommodation providers and tourism operators have helped strengthen those connections.

Collaboration has also been central to Wildlife Wonders' growth. Through its partnership with Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT), the organisation has accessed valuable visitor research, marketing support, industry networks and consumer campaigns that have helped expand its reach beyond the local area.

"Being part of a regional story helps us reach audiences no individual business could reach alone," Lizzie said.

Wildlife Wonders has also developed innovative local partnerships that help support conservation while promoting the region. Collaborations with Otway Brewing's Spotted Ale and Apollo Bay's Hello Coffee Wildside blend not only generate funding for conservation projects but also introduce new audiences to the stories and wildlife of the Otway’s.

As a registered charity supporting the Conservation Ecology Centre, Wildlife Wonders has also benefited from government grants and community support over many years. Lizzie encourages businesses to be strategic when applying for funding.

"Get to know the grants landscape well and focus on opportunities that genuinely align with your business goals," she said. "A smaller number of strong applications often delivers better results than trying to chase every opportunity."

For businesses considering local marketing opportunities, partnerships or grants, Wildlife Wonders' advice is simple: focus on authentic relationships, collaborate with others and be selective about where you invest your time and energy.

"The highest-value activities are often the lowest-cost ones," Lizzie said. "Our biggest wins haven't come from big campaigns. They've come from steady, genuine relationships with our local community and other operators."

With a strong commitment to conservation, community and collaboration, Wildlife Wonders continues to demonstrate how local connections can create lasting benefits for businesses, visitors and the wider region.

Learn more about Wildlife Wonders and the Conservation Ecology Centre or pop it on your list for a visit!