Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EXPLORING THE WILDLIFE PARKS
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Currumbin began life as a bird sanc-
tuary, and is almost synonymous with the wild rainbow lorikeets which flock here
in the hundreds twice a day for feeding. It's quite an experience, as flocks of chat-
tering birds descend onto visitors holding trays of food for them. Photographers
go crazy and the tourists love it. These amazingly beautiful birds have a vivid green
back, blue head, and red and yellow chest. Lorikeet feeding is at 8am and 4pm.
Don't miss it. You can also have your photo taken cuddling a koala, hand-feed
kangaroos, stroll, or take a free miniature steam-train ride through the park, and
attend animal talks and feeding demonstrations. An Aboriginal song and dance
show takes place daily. The park's 27 hectares (67 acres) are home to 1,400 native
birds and animals, including two enormous saltwater crocodiles, and lots of native
birds are also drawn to the wetlands within the grounds. It also offers behind-the-
scenes tours that take in the animal hospital and endangered-species-breeding area,
a birds-of-prey display, and nighttime tours. Allow several hours to see everything.
28 Tomewin St., Currumbin (18km/11 miles south of Surfers Paradise). & 07/5534 1266. www.currumbin-
sanctuary.org.au. Admission A$22 (US$14) adults, A$14 (US$9.10) children 4-13. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily
8am-5pm. Closed Christmas and until 1pm Anzac Day (Apr 25). Ample free off-street parking. Bus stop 15m
(49 ft.) from entrance.
David Fleay Wildlife Park Established in 1952 by Australian natu-
ralist David Fleay, this is one of Australia's premier wildlife parks. You'll see a platy-
pus, saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, wallabies, kangaroos, glider possums,
dingoes, wombats, the rare Lumholtz's tree kangaroo, and a big range of Australian
birds, including emus, cassowaries, wedge-tailed eagles, black swans, and lorikeets.
You walk on a series of raised boardwalks through picturesque mangrove, rain-
forest, and eucalyptus habitats, where most of the animals roam free. The noc-
turnal house is open from 11am to 5pm daily, and this is where you'll see many
of the most elusive animals including Australia's answer to the Easter bunny, the
bilby. Talks and feeding demonstrations throughout the day include a reptile
show and saltwater croc feeding—usually only October through April, when the
crocs are hungry. Aboriginal rangers give talks about weaponry, bush medicine,
and their links with this region. Volunteers also give free guided tours through-
out the day. The Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service (QNPWS) has
run the park since 1983, but David Fleay continued to live here until his death
in 1993. Because the QNPWS frowns on handling animals, you can't cuddle a
koala or hand-feed kangaroos here. There's a cafe, gift shop, and picnic tables.
West Burleigh Rd. (17km/11 miles south of Surfers Paradise), West Burleigh. & 07/5576 2411. Admission
A$13 (US$8.45) adults, A$8.50 (US$5.50) seniors and students, A$6.50 (US$4.20) children 4-17, A$33
(US$21) family of 6. MC, V. Daily 9am-5pm. Closed Christmas. Ample free parking.
WHERE TO STAY
VERY EXPENSIVE
Palazzo Versace You almost have to see this to believe it. In the unlikely
location of the Australian Gold Coast, fashion designer Donatella Versace has
created a tribute to her late brother Gianni in the form of an extravagantly
opulent resort, furnished exclusively with Versace gear. You'll either love it or
hate it . . . there's no in-between. Everything has been imported from Italy, from
the river stones that pave the porte-cochere to the massive antique chandelier
that dominates the vast, marbled lobby. Vaulted ceilings are hand-detailed in
gold and huge marble columns dominate. The rooms are decorated in four col-
ors, red, blue, gold, and orange, but are less confronting than the public areas of
Kids
Value
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