Destination: The Steve Irwin Zoo- Queensland, Australia
– Steve Irwin Zoo, Queensland Australia –
One of the highlights of our trip to Australia, and something I would recommend to anyone traveling Queensland, was the day Devin and I spent wandering the Australia Zoo. It had been a lifelong dream of Devin’s to visit the home of the legendary Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, and in September of 2011 it finally came true. And while we both wish we could have been at the zoo while Steve was still alive, we were able to see Teri, Bindi and Robert.
The day started at the crocoseum watching Argo, a croc that Devin knew by name, perform his show. Wow, I’ve never in my life seen a crocodile launch into the air to snatch food off a rope, the speed at which they lunge out of the water onto land and the strength of their jaws had me worried about crocodiles for the rest of our vacation in Australia!
Included in the ticket price is petting koalas, these cute cuddly bears aren’t so cute and cuddly but more like annoying rodents to Australians, that are sometimes roadkill. During our trip we heard a few grunting in the tree line across the street from the house we were staying in, apparently it was mating season, but seeing them up close climbing around the trees, but mostly sleeping, was unreal.
The best part of the zoo was RooHeaven where you literally enter a grassy field and walk amongst the Kangaroos. There is feed you can buy to get them to come up to you, but to be honest, they aren’t afraid of people at all and will hang out long after the food is gone. Despite being huge animals, kangaroos are actually very gentile and graceful, the way that they hop has a sort of elegance to it.
I would have to say the Australia Zoo is a lot more hands on then any of the zoos we have in the United States. After getting to pet a koala and lounge with the kangaroos, we were able to feed the elephants. Elephants are my absolute favorite animal so I thoroughly enjoyed letting them eat apples and carrots out of my hand.
At the time a brand new exhibit had opened, Africa at the Australia Zoo, and they had just acquired some Rhinos, Giraffes and a Cheetah. By the time we got to that section they were beginning to close up for the night, so we didn’t get to see too much, but what we did witness was stunning- a cheetah running full speed for its dinner in the enclosed space. Incredible!
The zoo turned out to be an amazing day and we enjoyed the Australia Zoo’s hands on approach so much that I can’t wait to go back next time we find ourselves down under.
That’s my story,
xoxo, andrea