Warm, Furry Creatures on the Loose

What a lovely, long day… We started out with an exchange of our rental car – the other one was making noises of the mysterious variety and we decided it was a bad idea to keep it any longer – and then a remarkably short drive to the zoo. 

As someone who is typically fairly against zoos, it was a pleasant surprise when we pulled up at the Australia Zoo in Beerwah.  This is the zoo made famous by Steve Irwin and his Crocodile Hunter show, and the risky behaviour he displayed prior to his untimely death a few years ago. 

The zoo is a 70 acre nature preserve, and it heavily conveys the message of conservation as opposed to animal exhibition.  Even more interesting is that the staff say – in no uncertain terms – that they intend to make us fall in love with the animals so we care (because, sadly, as humans, that’s the only way we actually respond to such serious plights)  Although they have the typical animal shows, it’s funny, tongue-in-cheek narratives that make you want to stay and watch more. 

Kangaroo Heaven, which is a large open area spotted with trees and lovely grassy areas, is exactly that: heaven.  The kangaroos and wallabies wander together, and happily enjoy Kanga-food that tourists distribute quite contentedly.  Unlike most zoos, where this is done under the watchful eye of someone who clearly hates their job, you enter the sanctuary and wander on your own.  The kangas and wallabies are so content to have interaction with people that they allow you to scratch their chins, pet them, take an absurd number of photos, and typically just wander with them. 

Everything about the zoo was incredible.  It was an educational day, full of genuine Australian hospitality, and a fabulous view; I would love to have had more time there to explore further into the zoo, read a few more signs, and absorb the amazing sun. 

So, I’ve spent the day in the company of two of my favourite people, as well as koalas, wallabies and kangaroos.  There were, as well, about a dozen other not-so furry creatures that we stumbled upon. 

What I love most about the zoo is that you really are in the company of the animals; there are lizards and iguanas wandering the cement walkways between exhibitions, and endless birds that fly free of typical aviaries.  There are acres of lush green trees and water fixtures, in addition to sculptures in keeping with the design of the ‘region’ of the animals. 

In all, it is an incredible way to pass a day, and I am so thankful we did it. 

Tomorrow we start our voyage toward Sydney, though we have lots of stops in between.  First stop is in Brisbane, then on to Surfer’s Paradise, and on Sunday we’ll arrive in Sydney and onto our last week. 

I hate to admit it, but I’m not quite ready to go back to Ottawa yet; there’s so much to see, and I would desperately love to continue the exploration.  ‘Real’ life seems so distant right now, and it’s a lovely way to be.