Billabong Sanctuary

I usually don't like zoos and wildlife parks, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville, Queensland. We got to feed kangaroos, hold koalas, a crocodile and a snake and tickle a wombat. The kangaroos were very gentle and polite (we're not testing that in the wild). Kangaroo pouches are something to behold. The kids leap right in leaving some combination of hind feet, head and tail sticking out. Koalas are cute, but slow both physically and mentally.  They smell like citrus. Wombats are way bigger than I had imagined.

Crocodile

Wombat

Koala

Zoe holding Koala

Jack holding Koala

Eric really does not like snakes

Snakes don't care

Jack doesn't mind snakes

Curious kanga

We spent the night in Bowling Green Bay National Forest along Alligator Creek. There are no alligators in Australia so I can't explain the name, but the area was posted "swimming unadvisable".  With all of the signs warning of crocodiles, sharks, jelly fish, snakes, spiders, rip tides, cliffs, etc. I'm impressed that the kids even get out of the van sometimes.  Other than the dozens of kangaroos and pesky turkeys, the place was pleasant, but not the most memorable.