Croc Shows & Conservation!
Trip Start
Jun 03, 2010
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6
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Trip End
Jun 13, 2010
Noosa, Queensland, Australia
Thursday, June 10, 2010
After checking out of the Q1 Resort & Spa we boarded the bus for the 2hr drive north to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Australia Zoo is located around 50 min north of Brisbane and 20min inland from the Sunshine Coast. The zoo was started by the Irwin family 40 years ago and made famous by Steve Irwin's television series, the Crocodile Hunter.
Since Steve's untimely death a couple of years ago, Teri Irwin along with children Bindi and Bob have continued to pursue Steve's passion for wildlife conservation and education.
Met on arrival by our host Wayne Poole, we were treated an exciting and informative day experiencing the highlights of what has been recognized as one of Australia's premier attractions!
We watched massive crocodiles in the "Crocoseum", fed Kangaroo's, met Koala's, watched the Ekidna's feed, held snakes, witnessed bird shows, a elephant playing basketball, a cheetah eating milk pops, and giant asian Tiger's play.
Did you know that wombat waste is square? that kangaroo's can hold unborn joey's for months or even years before giving birth if food is scarce? that Koala's are at threat of being non existent in the wild within years? that crocodiles can be one of the most romantic of animals? These are just a small taste of the interesting facts you'll come across during a day at Australia Zoo.
Despite being one of Australia's premier wildlife attractions, the most surprising and inspiring part of a visit to the zoo is the message of conservation and activities they either fund or conduct themselves all over the world. Australia Zoo is involved in wildlife conservation from Asia through to Africa and of course at home in Australia, with many millions spent annually from proceeds generated by visitors.
The most recent local example of this work is Australian Wildlife Hospital which opened in March 2004 next to the Zoo grounds. Inspired by the memory of Lynn Irwin (Steves Mom), who's dream it was to establish a wildlife hospital, the zoo now cares for many thousands of native Australian wildlife who have are injured or unwell. A moving place experience the tales of the passion and sacrifice made for the conservation of wildlife.
Upon leaving the zoo, Daniel and met a stuffed Crocodile named Murry. I have a feeling the two will be inseparable for the rest of this trip...
This afternoon we took a tour with Sunair Bus Service through the beautiful glass house mountains of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a spectacular part of the country and home to the small artistic market towns of Montville and Meleny, the perfect option for an interesting day tour from the Sunshine Coast. We then headed to our hotel, the brand new Quay West Resort and Spa in Noosa!
