Animals in Australia

[Anonymous]

We've been to Hartley's outside of Port Douglas. I definitely recommend but, omg, those crocs. Terrifying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Daintree has a lot of wildlife from crocs to cassowaries (rare). Australia Zoo is good. You can pay to hold a koala, which isn’t permitted in nsw, I believe. You won’t likely see koalas anywhere in the wild unless you make it all the way to Magnetic Island. Snorkeling around Port Douglas will be good.

I will add not to expect to see koalas in the wild. I did see one in Noosa and another near Hervey Bay last year but, as with every other occasion, they are blobs at the top of very tall gum trees so you don’t get to see them particularly well. Do some research on snorkelling near PD. Some parts of the reef are in a poor state.

We went snorkling after paying a lot for a boat excursion out of Port Douglas. Indeed, the reefs are suffering, being very bleached and lacking fish.

We've done much better snorkling on the beaches in Kauai and Playa del Carmen in waist deep water.

This is so sad. I did a snorkel trip on the GBR about ten years ago, and it was such an amazing experience. There was bleaching in some parts, but the boat was able to take us to parts that remained healthy. It felt like snorkeling in an aquarium- the colors were so vivid and lots of fish and healthy coral.

It's best to warn people who have to Great Barrier Reef on their bucket list about the dire state of the reef. We spent hundreds for an excursion and were sorely disappointed. I've definitely done better snorkling for less in other countries.

Same here. We were in the Whitsunday Islands for spring break and it was horrible. The divers in our group of snorkeler didn’t even take their second dive. Very sad.

[Anonymous]

We did a Walking with Wombats tour with Dave of Perfect day Sydney. We saw waterfalls, wombats and kangaroo in the wild at sunset while Dave grilled us a delicious meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did a Walking with Wombats tour with Dave of Perfect day Sydney. We saw waterfalls, wombats and kangaroo in the wild at sunset while Dave grilled us a delicious meal.

Did a different tour in Brisbane and saw koalas in the wild, but only up in trees

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did a Walking with Wombats tour with Dave of Perfect day Sydney. We saw waterfalls, wombats and kangaroo in the wild at sunset while Dave grilled us a delicious meal.

Try the grilled marsupial combo platter.

[Anonymous]

Just go to any bar that sells cheap Foster's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just go to any bar that sells cheap Foster's.

You made me laugh out loud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Brisbane, Lone Pine focuses almost exclusively on native animals. You can hold koalas, hand feed kangaroos, see wild bird shows, etc. We even got to stroke a dingo. It’s in a lovely natural setting and there’s a good amount to see without it being overwhelming.

https://lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/

One hour from Brisbane is Australia Zoo. It’s famous for its founder Steve Irwin. I’ve never been but I’m sure you’ll find loads of reviews online.

Hartley Creek is 25 mins south of Port Douglas and is great for seeing big crocodiles including good educational shows etc. Also snakes.

https://www.crocodileadventures.com/

We just went to Lone Pine this past January & thought all the kangaroos were drugged (absolutely no staff & a bazillion people crowding them in a big field - kangaroos can be dangerous so why are they not worried at all about the possibility?). I would not go out of my way to see this place - it was kinda sad honestly. Definitely sad small zoo feel not sanctuary feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Daintree has a lot of wildlife from crocs to cassowaries (rare). Australia Zoo is good. You can pay to hold a koala, which isn’t permitted in nsw, I believe. You won’t likely see koalas anywhere in the wild unless you make it all the way to Magnetic Island. Snorkeling around Port Douglas will be good.

I will add not to expect to see koalas in the wild. I did see one in Noosa and another near Hervey Bay last year but, as with every other occasion, they are blobs at the top of very tall gum trees so you don’t get to see them particularly well. Do some research on snorkelling near PD. Some parts of the reef are in a poor state.

We went snorkling after paying a lot for a boat excursion out of Port Douglas. Indeed, the reefs are suffering, being very bleached and lacking fish.

We've done much better snorkling on the beaches in Kauai and Playa del Carmen in waist deep water.

This is so sad. I did a snorkel trip on the GBR about ten years ago, and it was such an amazing experience. There was bleaching in some parts, but the boat was able to take us to parts that remained healthy. It felt like snorkeling in an aquarium- the colors were so vivid and lots of fish and healthy coral.

It's best to warn people who have to Great Barrier Reef on their bucket list about the dire state of the reef. We spent hundreds for an excursion and were sorely disappointed. I've definitely done better snorkling for less in other countries.

Same here. We were in the Whitsunday Islands for spring break and it was horrible. The divers in our group of snorkeler didn’t even take their second dive. Very sad.

Whitsundays aren’t known for the snorkeling. You go there for the beaches. Better snorkeling up near Port Douglas or down at Heron Island, which is between Brisbane and Port Douglas. Also a couple of other fancy islands.

[Anonymous]

We were driving around Daintree and a cassowary walked right in front of our car (we didn't hit it). I understand they're somewhat rare but it came right out on the road, glared at us, and stalked off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Brisbane, Lone Pine focuses almost exclusively on native animals. You can hold koalas, hand feed kangaroos, see wild bird shows, etc. We even got to stroke a dingo. It’s in a lovely natural setting and there’s a good amount to see without it being overwhelming.

https://lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/

One hour from Brisbane is Australia Zoo. It’s famous for its founder Steve Irwin. I’ve never been but I’m sure you’ll find loads of reviews online.

Hartley Creek is 25 mins south of Port Douglas and is great for seeing big crocodiles including good educational shows etc. Also snakes.

https://www.crocodileadventures.com/

We just went to Lone Pine this past January & thought all the kangaroos were drugged (absolutely no staff & a bazillion people crowding them in a big field - kangaroos can be dangerous so why are they not worried at all about the possibility?). I would not go out of my way to see this place - it was kinda sad honestly. Definitely sad small zoo feel not sanctuary feel.

Yeah, not great it was so crowded. Sounds like you hit peak summer holiday crowds. I was fortunate to go mid year when it was much quieter and more pleasant. Sincerely, doubt the kangaroos were drugged! Not sure why you would think that? I do know that January was extraordinarily hot (at least one day over 108F) and obviously that affects animal (and people) behaviour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were driving around Daintree and a cassowary walked right in front of our car (we didn't hit it). I understand they're somewhat rare but it came right out on the road, glared at us, and stalked off.

You're lucky it stalked off. They are violent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were driving around Daintree and a cassowary walked right in front of our car (we didn't hit it). I understand they're somewhat rare but it came right out on the road, glared at us, and stalked off.

You're lucky it stalked off. They are violent.

What? Do you think it would attack the car?

Cassowaries are shy but can become aggressive during breeding season or when they have young chicks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were driving around Daintree and a cassowary walked right in front of our car (we didn't hit it). I understand they're somewhat rare but it came right out on the road, glared at us, and stalked off.

You're lucky it stalked off. They are violent.

What? Do you think it would attack the car?

Cassowaries are shy but can become aggressive during breeding season or when they have young chicks.

Ha! I’m the PP who encountered the cassowary. It did not attack the car, of course, but I was happy we were IN the car. It looked fierce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were driving around Daintree and a cassowary walked right in front of our car (we didn't hit it). I understand they're somewhat rare but it came right out on the road, glared at us, and stalked off.

You're lucky it stalked off. They are violent.

What? Do you think it would attack the car?

Cassowaries are shy but can become aggressive during breeding season or when they have young chicks.

Ha! I’m the PP who encountered the cassowary. It did not attack the car, of course, but I was happy we were IN the car. It looked fierce.

Ha! Yes, I’m sure it looked fierce. Quite prehistoric looking. A friend’s boyfriend’s father was once attacked by one when he was walking on his farm near Mossman. Did some damage.