Australia

6th March

I think the most famous zoo in Australia is Steve Irwin’s ‘Australia Zoo’ and this is where we decided to go today. Catching the bus there – another chance for Josh to fall asleep on public transport, hehe.

Steve was a crocodile hunter and catcher but, wanted to do so to relocate dangerous crocodiles away from public towns. This is how he set up his zoo – by housing some of the salt and fresh water crocodiles caught in order to raise awareness with his family.

Nowadays the animal care team put on shows with the salt water crocodiles to demonstrate their power, skill and territory to teach the public how to stay clear of them.

Other than these powerful creatures we saw Tasmania Devils, Koalas, Kangaroos, snakes, tropical/ birds of prey and we ate our lunch whilst watching a Tiger show. This involves demonstrations of natural behaviour used to assess the tigers health.

Whilst heading out a female Wallabe was being taken for a walk (on a harness) as enrichment – smells, behaviour and sight. The Keepers let me stroke her back, her fur was very bristly (like a Koalas) and they have a hard cartilage plate located at the back/bum area used for protection.

The zoo was amazing and we spent ages looking at Steve sons photographs in the shops (not being able to afford or carry any though).

Later that evening we were in great need for a drink out and ended up in Taps. At taps you can pour your own pint via self survice pay and pour stations. This was very cool and with the live music, strange dancing and old computer/PC Mario Cart games (Josh won the race, I won the battle) on two pints we were in hysterics for the rest of the night.