The perfect zoos in south-east Qld

Wombats like to snooze, spending as much as 70 per cent of their lives of their burrows, however do you know that also they are quick runners?

The widespread wombat can attain speeds of as much as 45km/h, in line with Division of Atmosphere and Science ranger Luke Keenan.

If you wish to see a wombat roaming free – on the hunt for grass to eat and a great scratching publish for relieving marsupial bum itches – then meet Billy: resident vombatus ursinus at Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre.

Every day at 11am handlers will enter Billy’s enclosure to ask him on a stroll. He’s not at all times within the temper, but when Billy permits them to harness him up, it’s on.

“It’s type of extra like Billy is strolling the rangers than the opposite manner round,” Keenan says.

Like most of the animals at Walkabout Creek, Billy is a rescue animal, raised by hand from a joey and subsequently unable to be returned to the wild.

“These animals act as a type of wildlife ambassador for the species and assist educate the general public,” Keenan says.

Zoos and animal reserves in south-east Queensland vary from intimate government-run menageries like Walkabout Creek to mega-budget theme parks. Some are devoted to a single breed, whereas others are as properly stocked as Noah’s Ark.

When you’ll should journey a good distance for a lot of, some are very near city, and a few are surprisingly low cost to go to. Right here is our information to what’s accessible, and the place.

Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre

Finest for: Strolling a wombat

Walkabout Creek is a nature reserve overlooking the Enoggera Reservoir that has snakes, lizards, Mary River turtle, an echidna, Queensland lungfish, Spinifex hopping mice and extra. You’ll be able to mingle within the out of doors space with a sanguine emu and a pair of chilled-out wallabies, and there are day by day talks introducing the widespread wombat (11am), the Estuarine Crocodile (1pm) and the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo (2.30pm). The open-air cafe on the deck makes tasty lunches and a creditable espresso, and you’ll stroll the quick observe across the centre and even swim or canoe within the reservoir.

60 Mount Nebo Highway, Enoggera Reservoir. Mon-Solar 9am-4pm (closed Dec 25). $4.25-$8.90 (household $22.90); with Wildlife Discovery Present $11.45-$17.30 (Sat-Solar).

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Finest for: Native animals at night time

A Brisbane icon, Lone Pine first opened in 1927 and at this time has day by day displays about koalas and crocodiles, in addition to sheepdog demos and wild lorikeet feeding. You’ll be able to cuddle a koala, contact a snake or an owl, and get pleasant with a dingo. In 2023, Lone Pine opened a novel attraction, Nocturnal. Guests are given handheld thermal imaging units that decide up the warmth signatures of animals, permitting them to view the night-time actions of wombats, Tassie devils, bandicoots, koalas, pademelons, echidnas and potoroos.

708 Jesmond Highway, Fig Tree Pocket. Mon-Solar 9am-5pm (Dec 25 9am-3pm). $35-$49 (household $145). Nocturnal tour: $53-$79.

Australia Zoo

Finest for: Crocodiles… and Irwins

The late Steve Irwin’s enormous character nonetheless dominates this world-famous wildlife park run by Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin. Situated at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast, the zoo is devoted to conservation, analysis and schooling. The Wildlife Warriors Present within the “Crocoseum” has birds, snakes and one enormous crocodile. You’ll be able to hand-feed kangaroos, pat koalas, discover “Bindi’s Treehouse”, peek contained in the animal hospital, and see tigers, elephants, a rhinoceros, giraffe and cheetah. Then in fact there’s the frisson of (probably) encountering members of the Irwin dynasty themselves.

Steve Irwin Manner, Beerwah. Mon-Solar 9am-5pm (closed Dec 25).
$41.95-$69.95 (household $199.95-$224.95). Wheelchair accessible.

Daisy Hill Koala Centre 

Finest for: Money-strapped koala lovers

At any given time, Daisy Hill has solely two to 4 koalas, and you’ll’t cuddle them. However you may observe them of their open-air enclosures from well-constructed viewing decks at this Queensland government-funded mini zoo and academic centre. There are day by day keeper talks at 2pm, whereas interactive shows spherical out the expertise: children will get a kick out of making an attempt to match totally different droppings to the animals that made them. It’s utterly free to go to, and housed inside 570 hectares of open eucalypt forest.

253 Daisy Hill Rd, Daisy Hill. Mon-Solar 10am-4pm (closed Good Friday, Dec 25 & Jan 1). Free. Wheelchair accessible.

Wildlife HQ

Finest for: Monkeys and lemurs

Woombye is a 70-minute drive north from Brisbane Metropolis and residential to the Massive Pineapple in addition to this menagerie, previously often known as Queensland Zoo. Its proprietor, Julie Seabrook, based the zoo in 2013 when Alma Park Zoo in Dakabin closed and she or he and her workforce needed to transport over 200 animals as much as the Sunshine Coast. Prime drawcards embrace capybaras Chip, Pico and Bruno, Sari the binturong and Tarvae the ruffed lemur. There are day by day keeper talks introducing the spider monkey, solar bear and hamadryas baboon. Maintain an eye fixed out for quokkas, koalas, dingoes and reptiles as properly.

76 Nambour Connection Highway, Woombye. Mon-Solar 9am-4pm (closed Dec 25). $28-$42 (household $119). Night time tour: $39-$59 (household $179-$219). Wheelchair accessible.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Finest for: Feathered associates

Established in 1946, Currumbin is legendary for day by day lorikeet feeding (8am and 4pm) and an enormous vary of native birds and animals, in addition to a pink panda and ring-tailed lemur. It’s house to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, the place vets assist 14,000 sick and injured creatures a 12 months and will be noticed at work from 10am-1pm. You’ll be able to cuddle a koala and get an expert picture of you and your new furry chum for $49. In 2023 the sanctuary opened Outback Springs, a re-creation of a conventional outback Queensland farming station, with animal encounters, billy tea demonstrations and gemstone panning.

28 Tomewin St, Currumbin. Mon-Solar 9am-4pm (closed Dec 25 & Apr 25).
Basic admission: grownup (14+) $69.95; youngster (3-13) $49.95; household (2 adults 2 kids) $202.95. Wheelchair accessible.

Lyell Deer Sanctuary

Finest for: A day with a fawn

Lyell Deer Sanctuary doesn’t prefer to be known as a zoo, however moderately a family-run animal rescue service open to the general public. Their animals are pink, rusa and fallow deer which were orphaned, injured or displaced. Cuddling and hand feeding the ruminants is inspired in a farm-like ambiance that additionally has cattle, goats, chickens and geese. There are picnic tables, a licensed bar, free tea and occasional and a present store. The sanctuary has rescued about 40 deer since 2016.

6 Lyell Courtroom, Mount Samson. Sat-Solar 10am-4pm (open further days throughout college holidays). $5-$10 (household $25). Some viewing areas are wheelchair accessible.

Summer time Land Camels

Finest for: Camels and camel milk merchandise

Celebrating the place of camels within the trendy historical past of Australia – few home animals are so suited to the atmosphere – Summer time Land Camels is each farm and reward store. Whereas the hump of Flinders Peak looms within the background you may pat the dromedaries and get some selfies, freed from cost. In case you fancy your self a latter-day Lawrence of Arabia, you may pay for a camel journey across the gardens or the broader property. The beautiful homestead serves brekky and lunch in addition to camel milk gelato and “camelccinos”. The farm retailer has the Camel Milk Skincare vary and Camel Milk vodka.

8 Charles Chauvel Drive, Harrisville. Mon-Solar 9am-3pm (closed public holidays). Free (camel rides and farm excursions entice a cost and have to be pre-booked). The cafe/retailer is wheelchair accessible.

Ipswich Nature Centre

Finest for: A free time out on the zoo

Ipswich residents are spoiled to have a totally fledged zoo in Queens Park they will go to without cost (gold coin donations accepted). Go by way of the gates and comply with the boardwalk across the landscaped bush setting to view a wonderful vary of native creatures. There are red-necked wallabies and swamp wallabies, kangaroos, dingoes, bats, an emu, and a few pleasant livestock too. A tubby hairy-nosed wombat footles about its enclosure, and cute bilbies dart round a purpose-built cave. Different unforgettable characters embrace the spotted-tail quoll (so spotty!) and “Mirrigin”, the majestic wedge-tailed eagle. There’s additionally a whole walk-through aviary containing parrots, lorikeets, pigeons, curlews and geese.

Goleby Avenue, Queens Park. Tue-Solar 9.30am-4pm (day by day at school holidays).
Free. Wheelchair accessible.

David Fleay Wildlife Park

Finest for: Native animal specialists

David Fleay (Flay) was a outstanding naturalist who invented a number of snakebite antidotes and was apparently the final particular person to {photograph} a dwelling thylacine. Within the Nineteen Fifties he established a pure park in Burleigh Heads the place he bred 42 species of animal in captivity for the primary time. At present it’s managed by the Division of Atmosphere and Science and you’ll comply with the community of boardwalks to view creatures such because the bridled nailtail wallaby, or watch a birds of prey present. Iconic creatures akin to koalas, kangaroos, emus and platypus will be seen too together with cassowaries, dingoes and crocs. Park rangers supply day by day wildlife ambassador tales specializing in conservation.

Lot 504 Loman Lane, Burleigh Heads. Mon-Solar 9am-4pm (closed Dec 25). $12.25-$27.05 (household $69.15). Wheelchair accessible.

Sea World

Finest for: Assembly dolphins and seals up shut

Sea World is, clearly, a big theme park and resort with as a lot an emphasis on thrill rides and performances as on wildlife – you’re as prone to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as precise turtles. Your entry ticket contains the possibility to come across penguins, dolphins, sharks, seals and seabirds. If cash is not any object it’s also possible to pay for up-close experiences with these creatures. The theme park additionally operates the Sea World Basis devoted to analysis, rescue and conservation.

Seaworld Dr, Most important Seashore. Mon-Solar 9.30am-5pm (closed Dec 25).
Single day go $109-$129 (many different choices accessible).

Dreamworld

Finest for: Tigers

Along with many rides Dreamworld has zoological displays, most notably Tiger Island, inhabited by 10 Sumatran and Bengal tigers. Watch a stay tiger presentation at midday day-after-day, or feed the massive cats your self utilizing tongs (an expertise that prices $55). Ecosystems have been arrange for visiting numerous native wildlife akin to koalas, cassowaries, squirrel gliders, Tasmanian devils and dingoes.

Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera. Mon-Solar 10am-5pm (closed Dec 25 & Apr 25). Single day go $109-$129 (many different choices accessible).

Sea Life Sunshine Coast

Finest for: Seahorses and sharks

New exhibit Seahorse Kingdom is house to greater than 100 seahorses and sea dragons together with the cunningly camouflaged weedy sea dragon. Enjoyment of a colony of little penguins; witness the playful antics of seals on seal island; and watch 11 totally different species of shark swim above you within the 80-metre Ocean Tunnel. Previously often known as UnderWater World, Sea Life Sunshine Coast is about 90 minutes’ drive from Brisbane’s CBD.

Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba. Mon-Solar 9am-3pm (5pm throughout college holidays; closed Dec 25). Single day go $33-$50. Wheelchair accessible.

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