Sleepier than an adolescent and likely far furrier, the koala is an Aussie icon. However, the koala is only one of the many wacky and wonderful animals of Australia. From the sleepy to the screechy, read on to discover these furry and feathery creatures at three spots in Eastern Australia.
How many of these animals have you met?
To find your way to Lone Pine, hop aboard the Mirimar River Cruise. It is advisable to book a ticket beforehand and your admission to Lone Pine will be included. Leave the noise and congestion of the city behind as you enjoy a leisurely journey along the Brisbane River.
At Lone Pine, you can feed the resident kangaroos. However, depending on the time, you may notice these kangaroos are quite well-fed and rather sleepy. They may be keener to nap than to snack. Beware, lest the far hungrier brush turkeys engage in fowl play and snatch the kangaroo feed from your hands (this happened to my mom).
Discover the incredible agility of Australia’s raptors by attending the Free Flight Raptor Show. Be sure to stay seated and hold on to your hats lest these majestic creatures snatch them away.
As you pass through the sanctuary, many a koala will greet or ignore you, but only because they are sleepy. One highlight of Lone Pine is the opportunity to hold a koala. Although it will not be for long, you will surely remember this encounter with an Aussie icon for the rest of your days. As a keepsake, you will receive a professional portrait and your clothes will smell of koala too.
Though it is called the Australia Zoo, you will meet not only the animals of Australia but animals from around the world. As you navigate the crowds, pay attention to who’s who in the zoo, from the quokkas to the cockatoos to the kangaroos.
Known as the Home of the Crocodile Hunter, the Australia Zoo honors the legacy of ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, a man who had a remarkable ability to understand wildlife. Through conservation projects, research, and educational programs, the Australia Zoo continues to be a leader in wildlife conservation worldwide.
See the wildlife in action by attending one of many shows. A popular one is the Wildlife Warriors Show at the Crocoseum, the zoo’s famous wildlife arena. From the stands, discover a variety of impressive creatures, from vibrant birds to slithering snakes. The show ends with the massive saltwater crocodile launching an attack (fortunately, no one was hurt). Depending on where you are seated, you may need to watch the giant screens to see the animals more closely.
If you are not one who enjoys large crowds and loud music, there are quieter and more intimate shows such as Koalas Live. Here, you will deepen your knowledge of these folivore specialists.
Discover not 100, not 1000 but over 2000 native animals of Australia at Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park. From echidnas to kookaburras to koalas, you will become thoroughly acquainted with the Aussie locals.
If you decide to meet the koalas up close, be sure to only pat them on the bum (as a show of respect). This is your unofficial warning, as you may not necessarily be warned of this.
As you enter, you may find yourself surrounded by kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons…particularly if you happen to be offering them a snack. You can purchase cups of food for $4 by the entrance during opening hours (8AM).
Visit the resident cassowary but be sure not to poke your fingers through the fence.
There are six habitat areas spread across seven acres and many opportunities to meet the animals up close. Be sure to stop at each habitat to learn a bit more about who it is you are gawking at.
As you discover the wacky and wonderful animals of Australia, you will hopefully leave with no bites (if you use common sense) and instead, a deeper appreciation for these wild Aussies and wildlife stewardship. Although these spots can be rather hectic, you will enjoy many moments of wonder from watching the waddling little blue fairy penguins to the massive slithering anaconda. These are excellent spots for families of all ages to connect with the wild side. At each location, you can book a more intimate animal encounter, but be mindful that these can be quite costly.
Here was a sneak peek at these three spots and their wild wonders. Keep an eye out for more swooping out of the sky.
I hope you enjoy, and I look forward to sharing more unofficial wonders with you.
The Unofficial Florence
2 Comments
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures of beautiful animals in Australia. I’m assuming all three spots were very close to each other? Do you know if there is public transportation around these spots to get around?
Hi Steph,
Thank you for visiting! Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is about an hour away (by vehicle) from the Australia Zoo. Both are in the state of Queensland. However, Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park is further away in Sydney. We did the first part of our trip in Queensland and then flew to Sydney to explore this part of Australia. Luckily, there is public transportation around these spots! There is bus service to and from Lone Pine, rail and shuttle service to and from the Australia Zoo, and rail and bus service to and from Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park. I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out with any other questions.