Crikey it’s Australia Zoo!
One of Queensland’s biggest tourist attractions has to be Australia Zoo and it’s not just for kids-its for big kids like me! Australia is celebrated for the great outdoors and wildlife, so people want to see animals when they visit. As an animal lover I jumped at the chance to go like a Wallaby! I would be in the company of the celebs have been –Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, and Leonardo Dicaprio to name a few. 
Although the zoo is home to animals from all over the world I was particularly interested in seeing native antipodean critters. Australia Zoo is home to native Crocs, Kangaroos, Wombats and Koalas. Koala’s and Wombats are particularly elusive so it’s hard to see them in the wild.
The Crocodile Hunters Legacy
Founded by the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and his wife Terri, the Zoo is a more than just a fitting tribute to the Australian legend. The Irwin family is very hands on in the day-to-day running of the place. Terri, kids Bindi & Robert work with the Zoo Keepers to continue Steve’s legacy. It’s a haven for animals-there are lots of trees, greenery and space created in alignment with their natural habitats.
Crocodile Show-offs
The ‘Crocoseum’ holds up to 5,000 people and at midday is the star attraction- the crocodile show. The audience are taught about Croc behavior as well as entertained. Huge male Croc ‘Mossman’ was hand-fed by the keeper in the fearless style of Steven Irwin in dangerous close proximity! I was on the edge of my seat with sweaty palms watching the amphibian-feeding spectacle. It’s unnerving to see a man and children in throwing distance of a predatory salty especially when the man is in the water with it! They are experts in crocodile behavior though so can handle the big biters!
As I visited during the school holiday, Terri and the kids ran out from a plume of smoke giving it a wacky theatrical feel. I was of course seated in the VIP area and was pleasantly surprised when I got a shout-out from the Irwin’s and they all waved at me-they seemed very happy to have Ikon London as a guest!
The Kangaroos wander around their open enclosure and I got to feed hand them. They were really chilled out and didn’t bat an eyelid when I sat next to them. One even held my hand!
Close Encounters of the animal kind
The Zoo is very interactive in terms of the contact you have with animals. Guests are given the option of paying extra to have personal encounters with animals including Tigers and Cheetahs! I wasn’t that brave so I opted for the ‘Wombat Walk’ as I had never seen one before and quite frankly they are adorable! I got to spend half an hour with a Wombat called Tonka while his keeper Babs walked him on a lead, then I got to spend time with baby Milo-the cutest creature I have ever seen! He attempted to get in my handbag-he clearly has good taste! I learnt loads of surprising facts about our furry friends-like wombats can run up to 40k’s an hour!
Ikonic Zoo
There is a lot of Irwin branding at the zoo, and its all for a good cause. Funds are raised from merchandise for conservation, endangered species breeding programs and research. They even have an animal hospital where local animals are rescued and treated. Australia zoo is genuinely dedicated to educating people and looking after its animal residents.
I spent so long with the Aussie animals that I didn’t get time to visit Africa! I would highly recommend visiting, especially if you want to get up close and personal with Aussie animals! It was good to see a place where the keepers are so passionate about looking after the animals as well as guests.
Pictures courtesy of Australia Zoo
