Koala-ty day at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

As you may know, I already visited Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary during my first two weeks in Australia. However, because I was on a group tour with a set schedule, I didn't have enough time to do everything I wanted to do. This past weekend, I had the chance to return and spend more time at the sanctuary, which allowed me to see even more of Australia's incredible native wildlife.

My favorite animals were definitely the koalas and kangaroos. In addition to them, I also saw a variety of colorful birds, an emu, crocodiles, a wallaby, a quokka, a wombat, and several dingoes.

One of the most popular experiences at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the opportunity to hold a koala and take a photo with it. The experience costs $27 AUD (~$20.27 USD 2017), and in my opinion, it was completely worth it. Koalas are much softer than I expected, and although they have surprisingly sharp claws, they are very calm and relaxed animals overall.

Another unforgettable experience was feeding and petting the kangaroos. Before coming to Australia, most of what I knew about kangaroos came from television and social media, where they are often portrayed as aggressive or intimidating. In reality, they are very laid-back animals and generally seem much more afraid of humans than humans are of them.

When interacting with kangaroos, there are several important guidelines to follow. Visitors should approach them calmly, pet them on their backs, avoid touching their ears or faces, and make sure long hair does not brush against them. If a kangaroo has a baby joey in its pouch, it's best to admire it from a safe distance.

One of the cutest things I witnessed was a mother kangaroo feeding her joey. The joey would pop its head out of the pouch to nurse and then hop right back inside. More often than not, you could only see the joey's feet sticking out of the pouch, which was both adorable and funny.

I also learned more about wallabies during my visit. Although they look very similar to kangaroos, they are smaller, less social, and generally much shyer around people. They also have different coloring and physical features that help distinguish them from kangaroos.

The wombats were another highlight. They looked like a combination of a pig and a groundhog covered in fur. One interesting fact I learned is that ancient wombat relatives once grew to enormous sizes, with some species weighing several thousand pounds. Wombats are also famous for producing cube-shaped droppings, which remains one of the strangest animal facts I've ever heard.

The dingoes reminded me of Shiba Inu dogs, and the birds throughout the sanctuary were incredibly colorful and beautiful. My only disappointment was that I didn't get the chance to see the quokkas up close. Quokkas are known for their friendly personalities and adorable appearance, and I was hoping for a closer encounter.

Overall, my visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary was an amazing experience. It allowed me to learn more about Australia's unique wildlife while seeing many of the animals in a safe and natural setting. If you ever find yourself in Australia and have the opportunity to visit a wildlife sanctuary, I highly recommend it. It's a fantastic way to experience Australian animals up close and gain a greater appreciation for the country's incredible biodiversity.