When it comes to its landscapes and wildlife, Australia is certainly one of the most impressive places in the world. The country is home to some of the most unique and exotic species of animals that don’t exist anywhere else. Visiting a wildlife park is a great way to get up close to Australia’s incredible flora and fauna while staying in a safe and controlled environment. Sounds perfect, right? Here are some of the best wildlife parks in Australia.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Located in Brisbane, the Lone Pine is the World’s first and largest Koala sanctuary. Besides kangaroos, koalas are often considered the most famous Australian wild animal and so this sanctuary is the best place to meet one in person. At Lone Pine, you will be allowed to hold a koala for some cuddles as well as meet and feed lots of other animals, including wallabies, kangaroos, platypuses, wombats, Tasmanian devils and a wide variety of bird species.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bonorong sanctuary is located in Brighton, Tasmania and its goal is to help protect wildlife animals that are injured, orphaned or in danger of extinction. The animal sanctuary looks after 12 endemic bird species, Tasmanian devils, wallabies, wombats and kangaroos. By visiting the sanctuary, you will take part in various animal encounters as well as witness the hard work the Bonorong team puts into caring for their animals during a behind-the-scenes tour.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Gold Coast. With a history of over 75 years of existence, the sanctuary is now home to over 1000 native animals and exotic species. You can encounter such animals as bilbies, cockatoos, echidnas, kangaroos, koalas, red pandas and many others. There are also lots of activities you may participate in, including a learning centre, a TreeTop Challenge, educational animal shows and immersive AR experiences.
Wildlife Habitat
In Port Douglas, North Queensland, a certain must-visit is the Wildlife Habitat. The park takes you through award-winning recreated natural environments, including Wetlands, Rainforest, Savannah, Nocturnal and Woodlands, where you will be able to interact with a range of animals that call these environments home. See crocodiles and snakes up close, witness rare species like the endangered cassowary as well as hand-feed kangaroos, koalas and wallabies during an immersive tour at Wildlife Habitat.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Located in the outskirts of Canberra, the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a great destination for a fun and informative day out in Australia. Here, you will see an incredibly diverse set of flora and fauna – keep an eye out for wallabies, emus, elusive platypus, kangaroos and lots of other types of birds and reptiles residing in their natural setting. Additionally, the reserve has over 24 market hiking trails and a selection of idyllic picturesque spots.
Final word
Australia is greatly proud of its amazing wildlife, which can be witnessed in the vast amount of nature reserves, wildlife parks, sanctuaries and animal hospitals dotted around the country. While it is a great opportunity to get up close with some of the most amazing, exotic species in the world, it is also important to be mindful and respect the rules of each location, so you don’t disturb the peace of the animals.