David Fleay Wildlife Park, Gold Coast, Queensland

in Pinmapple2 years ago

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We saw many Bearded Dragons (lizards) wandering all over the place.
We saw many Bearded Dragons (lizards) wandering all over the place.

The Wildlife Park was originally set up by David Fleay but is now run by Queensland National Parks. Mr. Fleay was famous for helping, protecting and breeding all types of Australian wildlife. The Park is run like more of a rehabilitation and education centre than a zoo. 

We were able to get entry at child prices over the school holidays as they had a lot of the park closed for renovations but there was still a lot to see.

Check out those claws!
Check out those claws!

This display looked a little bit like Jurassic Park. Zeroed in on a model of the, now extinct, Tasmanian Tiger.
This display looked a little bit like Jurassic Park. Zeroed in on a model of the, now extinct, Tasmanian Tiger.

Models of some of the other giant megafauna (animals) that used to roam around Australia including a giant kind of wombat (at the back) and a supersized lizard (at the front).
Models of some of the other giant megafauna (animals) that used to roam around Australia including a giant kind of wombat (at the back) and a supersized lizard (at the front).

The Red-legged Pademelon was the next animal we saw. They have an unusual way of sitting compared to other types of macropods (kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, etc).
The Red-legged Pademelon was the next animal we saw. They have an unusual way of sitting compared to other types of macropods (kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, etc).

An Emu. They are very big flightless birds unique to Australia. This one reminds me of Fluffy. the parkrunning, wild emu up at Nambour.
An Emu. They are very big flightless birds unique to Australia. This one reminds me of Fluffy. the parkrunning, wild emu up at Nambour.

A nesting Dusky Moorhen with its chicks. I was so lucky, the chick only popped its head up for a second.
A nesting Dusky Moorhen with its chicks. I was so lucky, the chick only popped its head up for a second.

A Blue Tongue lizard during the informative reptile show.
A Blue Tongue lizard during the informative reptile show.

A Jungle Python (related to the more commonly known Carpet Python), on display during the reptile show.
A Jungle Python (related to the more commonly known Carpet Python), on display during the reptile show.

Australia has some of the most venomous snakes in the world but generally they will stay out of your way if you stay out of theirs. This one, however, is not venemous. All pythons are non-venemous and kill their prey by grabbing, hugging and swallowing their food whole.

After the show we were able to get much closer for some nice photos. The snake was surprisingly calm and its handler had it out on the grass with heaps of little children less than 1 metre away.
After the show we were able to get much closer for some nice photos. The snake was surprisingly calm and its handler had it out on the grass with heaps of little children less than 1 metre away.

Looks like the Harry Potter snake Nagini but without the big, scary fangs.
Looks like the Harry Potter snake Nagini but without the big, scary fangs.

Eastern Great Egret water bird.
Eastern Great Egret water bird.

The Rock Wallabies can out for a spot of lunch.
The Rock Wallabies can out for a spot of lunch.

The Southern Cassowary from Far North Tropical Queensland.
The Southern Cassowary from Far North Tropical Queensland.

Check out those strong feet! Very dinosaur like.
Check out those strong feet! Very dinosaur like.

I wouldn’t like to be on the wrong side of the fence with these guys. They seem quite menacing. (Photo by Conscious Cat)
I wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of the fence with these guys. They seem quite menacing. (Photo by Conscious Cat)

Little Black Cormorant with fantastic blue eyes and webbed feet. I would not want to see a big one, LOL.
Little Black Cormorant with fantastic blue eyes and webbed feet. I would not want to see a big one, LOL.

The handlers were handing out some fish to try and lure the Freshwater Crocodiles out of the water. The staff need to check the crocodiles are OK as they are usually only brought here to the Wildlife Park if they are old, sick or injured.
The handlers were handing out some fish to try and lure the Freshwater Crocodiles out of the water. The staff need to check the crocodiles are OK as they are usually only brought here to the Wildlife Park if they are old, sick or injured.

Freshwater crocs are far less dangerous that saltwater ones. The handlers said that if these were ’Salties’ there’s no way they would be inside the fence.
Freshwater crocs are far less dangerous that saltwater ones. The handlers said that if these were 'Salties' there's no way they would be inside the fence.

They usually have a few Saltwater Crocs at this park but they are currently upgrading their enclosure and so the crocs are staying at Australia Zoo for a while.
They usually have a few Saltwater Crocs at this park but they are currently upgrading their enclosure and so the crocs are staying at Australia Zoo for a while.

A cheeky turtle wanting in on some of that fish action.
A cheeky turtle wanting in on some of that fish action.

This is a nocturnal Bilby. It’s Australia’s answer to the Easter Bunny and now comes out in chocolate-shaped treats every year.
This is a nocturnal Bilby. It's Australia's answer to the Easter Bunny and now comes out in chocolate-shaped treats every year.

Kangaroo Hopping Mice.
Kangaroo Hopping Mice. 

A Platypus! They are very (very) hard to spot in the wild and almost as hard to photograph in a tank. This one is hiding under the tree branch (centre, lower part of photo).
A Platypus! They are very (very) hard to spot in the wild and almost as hard to photograph in a tank. This one is hiding under the tree branch (centre, lower part of photo).

He or she was either well hidden or continuously (and randomly to seemed) darting around.
He or she was either well hidden or continuously (and randomly to seemed) darting around.

Everybody’s favorite: a Koala. Generally not very active in the middle of the day, in fact, they are said to sleep for about 20 hours out of every 24.
Everybody's favorite: a Koala. Generally not very active in the middle of the day, in fact, they are said to sleep for about 20 hours out of every 24.

An Australian Powerful Owl. Those eyes! No wonder they can see so well at night.
An Australian Powerful Owl. Those eyes! No wonder they can see so well at night.

A North Territory Brolga being fed by the handler, and a Dusky Moorhen trying to steal some feed.
A North Territory Brolga being fed by the handler, and a Dusky Moorhen trying to steal some feed.

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo. It was happily nibbling away on whatever the handler had just fed it.
Red Tailed Black Cockatoo. It was happily nibbling away on whatever the handler had just fed it.

The Red Tailed Black Cockatoo in mid flight.
The Red Tailed Black Cockatoo in mid flight.

We see lots of these near our place over the summer months but they're usually high up in big trees. I didn't realise how they big they are close up.

A Hawk (centre of photo) swooping to catch a treat thrown up by the handler (bottom right corner of photo) during the bird show.
A Hawk (centre of photo) swooping to catch a treat thrown up by the handler (bottom right corner of photo) during the bird show.

Albino Breaded Dragon
Albino Breaded Dragon

Map of the Park (pdf file from Queensland National Parks).
Map of the Park (pdf file from Queensland National Parks).

See you next time!.
See you next time!.


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I !LUV d that we took time to visit this park :)
The eyes on that owl were amazing !LOL

Why does Waldo wear a striped shirt?
He doesn’t want to be spotted.

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I've been to Australia from late 2016 till early 2017. Western Australia to be precise: Perth and the area around Albany and Denmark. I did a few early morning hikes and maaan... there was so much life in those bushes surrounding those pats that I took.

Before coming to Australia I thought there were a few kangaroos here and there, but I never thought there are that many. Finding one on the road hit by a car is as usual as finding a fox or a raccoon in Lithuania.

Albany and Denmark in Western Australia are great places, I haven't been there for a while but would love to revisit sometime soon. I remember the whale museum in Albany and some massive trees not far from Denmark. And yes you do have to watch out for the Kangaroos espically when driving out of town at dawn and or dusk.

looks like a cool adventure