Billabong Sanctuary
About Billabong Sanctuary
Billabong Sanctuary is a wildlife park located in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, that offers visitors interactive experiences with native Australian animals. Established in 1985 by Bob and Del Flemming, the sanctuary has grown into a verdant habitat, home to a diverse range of species including koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds and reptiles. The sanctuary is committed to wildlife conservation and education, providing educational shows and talks to inform visitors about the importance of preserving natural habitats and the unique characteristics of each species. As an outdoor classroom, it serves as an educational resource for school groups and aims to foster a connection between people and the natural world. Open daily, Billabong Sanctuary provides a family-friendly environment where conservation and interactive learning are at the forefront of the visitor experience.
Overall Recommendation Level
Price: Low
Prices are $31 for children and only $46 for adults.
Audience
Great for families, Our kids absolutely love it!
Location
Just about a 20 minute commute from Townsville City Centre.
Reviewed & written by Joe C. Read about Joe and more of his recommendations.
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MY REVIEW
Our family's visit to Billabong Sanctuary was an immersion into the heart of Australia's wildlife, far beyond the typical tourist trail. As we walked through the gates, the sanctuary unfolded like a living tapestry of Australia's rich and diverse fauna.
The sanctuary's intimate setting allowed us to get up close with animals we'd only previously seen in books. The children's faces lit up with joy as they gently held a koala, its fur as soft as the whispers they used to talk to it. My wife, always the bird enthusiast, was captivated by the vibrant plumage of the parrots, and we all watched in awe during the bird show as they swooped and soared with natural grace.
The kangaroos were a highlight, their gentle nature a perfect match for our young ones as they tentatively offered food from their palms. It was these moments of connection that made the sanctuary feel like a bridge between humans and nature.
Even the crocodiles, with their prehistoric presence, seemed less like the monsters of nightmares and more like an important, if formidable, part of the natural world. The sanctuary's dedication to education shone through as the keepers shared stories of survival and adaptation that left us with a deeper respect for these ancient creatures.
The aftermath of Cyclone Yasi was a testament to the resilience not just of the sanctuary's flora and fauna, but of the human spirit that nurtured it back to life. The sanctuary was not just a place of refuge for animals, but a symbol of hope and rebirth, something the staff conveyed with every story of recovery and every new enclosure we visited.
As we left, our children chattered excitedly about their favorite animals, clutching the souvenirs that would remind them of this day. My wife and I shared a look of contentment, knowing that this experience had given our family a deeper appreciation for Australia's wildlife and the efforts to conserve it. Billabong Sanctuary was more than just a day out; it was an education, an adventure, and a memory that we would carry with us forever.