A trip Down Under isn't complete without cuddling koalas or cruising with kangaroos. We got our furry-friend fix at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which is among a short list of places in Queensland, Australia that allows visitors to carry koalas. It's illegal everywhere else in the country.
Koala cuddling.
"Illegal" felt like a pretty loaded word for something so cute. After doing some research, we learned how carefully calculated the hands-on experience is. Each session is limited to a few minutes, giving the koala plenty of rest in between holds and never allowing them to be used more than two days in a row. The koala keeper gives specific instructions on how to hold the marsupial, including no squeezing or tickling of any kind. All proceeds associated with the experience goes back into the wildlife and conservation programs that keep the nonprofit sanctuary afloat.
We decided to give it a try. After quietly walking up to the koala, we made sure to keep our daughter a distance away from it. She enjoyed the furry little guy from afar–watching how its funny-toed feet clung onto her Daddy's shirt and how its ears wiggled in the wind. We each gently pet the koala's course fur before moving right along to the koala sanctuary. It's a great alternative for anyone uncomfortable with actually holding the tree-dweller.
At the exhibit, a forest of eucalyptus trees fills the marsupial's sanctuary home. They snack on leaves or casually hop from one branch to the next. It was neat to observe their carefree behavior and habits while still squeezing in a selfie from afar.
Kangaroo cruising.
Speaking of selfies, the kangaroos really weren't camera shy. We ended our visit feeding roos of all sizes in a shaded open-space enclosure. This was a lot more interactive than carrying a koala–and definitely our favorite part of the day.
In the enclosure, roos roam freely through the red-dirt landscape and gently-sloping grassy knolls. They go right up to opened palms cupped with kangaroo kibble and don't hold back in gulping up every morsel. Visitors can purchase food to feed the roos or sit back and cruise alongside them for as long as they wish. There's no time limit for roo encounters.
The mix of red and grey kangaroos were calm enough for our one-year-old to get near. A mama roo, carrying a joey in her pouch, hopped right up for a sniff. Our daughter didn't seem to mind, but we did hold her in front of us and made sure she didn't reach out unexpectedly. Only adults and older children should feed the kangaroos. A sanctuary employee keeps close watch on all encounters.
All in all, we not only enjoyed our animal meet-and-greets but also learned a lot about the wildlife that roam this 66-acre corner of Currumbin rainforest. That's why we'll leave you with some fun facts:
- Kangaroos are also mostly left-handed and unable to hop backwards.
- There are more kangaroos than humans in Australia.
- A koala's sluggish behavior isn't because they're "high" on eucalyptus leaves. The leaves aren't very nutrient-rich, so they conserve their energy by sleeping more than 18 hours a day.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary // 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin QLD 4223, Australia // currumbinsanctuary.com.au // Things to note: Easy paid parking, restrooms, water fountains, gift shop, snack shop, shaded sitting areas, costs extra for koala photo and animal feedings, live animal shows are free
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