Jim

Hi <BR>I forgot one question - what is the best place to see, touch and hold Koalas = can you actually hold one anywhere??? <BR> <BR> <BR>Jim <BR>[email protected]

kris

There was a place in Sydney called Featherdale Wildlife Park where they will let you hold a koala and be photographed with you. Koalas don't really like humans so you won't find them to be very cuddly. Kangaroos you find at the wildlife parks, on the other hand, are like big dogs and love the attention. <BR>

Jim

Kris <BR>Where you there recently???? <BR>Jim

ellie

Jim, I am a frequent visitor to Featherdale, and yes you can hold the koalas. It is normally between 2pm and 5pm daily. They bring out a smaller koala which is holding on to the back of a large stuffed toy koala. So they pass the large stuffed toy koala from person to person. The little live koala is less handled this way, it just clings to its toy mother. Koalas have extremely sharp claws and this way the claws stay embedded in the stuffed toy. Thus it is a lovely way to handle them without the worry of inadvertently harming each other and because the little koalas feel secure on the toy mumma they are not so frightened. You can take photos or there is a photographer at hand who will take an instant for you for a small charge.

David Hudson

Come to Brisbane. <BR> <BR>Never heard of Brisbane? Maybe not - it is Queensland's great secret. Perhaps not quite a secret as it is actually the state capital. <BR> <BR>*** Great Koala experience at Lone Pine Park. *** <BR> <BR>Brisbane is appropriately known as the River City. <BR> <BR>Relatively small (around 1,000,000 compared to the overwhelming populations of Sydney and Melbourne). Great climate. Friendly people and diverse opportunities. good base for the Gold Coast (south of B), or the equally attractive Sunshine Coast (ditto North) both a little more than one hour away by bus. <BR> <BR>If you want to go to Cairns and regions north, Brisbane is the closest state capital. <BR> <BR>Brisbane has developed a very casual but sophisticated metropolitan feel, particularly around the city heart and the long riverside access of the Brisbane River downstream and upstream of the city proper. <BR> <BR>Plenty of accommodation and restaurants in any price range.

Steve

Another place for a close encounter of the Koala kind is a small wildlife park on Phillip Island around 2 hrs SE from Melbourne. Whilst you can't actually hold them, there is a treetops level boardwalk where you can meander amongst them. A good time is around 4pm as they come down even closer for some extra gum leaves. Phillip Island is also home to a large colony of Fairy Penguins. There are nightly viewings as they wade ashore. Most travel agents in Melbourne offer day tours to the island to see both attractions. <BR>regards <BR>Steve <BR>