Billabong Sanctuary - Australian Native Wildlife Park Townsville

INTERPRETIVE SHOWS, FEEDING AND HANDLING

At Billabong Sanctuary, our Rangers are passionate about our amazing native wildlife, and they want to share that passion with you.

We are proud to offer Australia’s best interactive wildlife experience.

Interpretive shows throughout the day showcase Australia’s unique animals:

Cassowaries
Koalas
Wombats
Crocodiles
Lizards

Snakes
Parrots
Birds of Prey
Dingoes

WILDLIFE TALKS AND SHOWS

We want you to get up close to these awesome creatures, and to appreciate their special place in nature, but we also want you to have fun! Feed the free-ranging kangaroos and ducks, cuddle a koala, tickle a wombat, pose with a python. It’s all about putting YOU in the picture. Get as close as you want, or just sit back and enjoy the show!

9:15 AM - KOALAS + KANGAROOS FEEDING

Great photo opportunities as our Rangers feed fresh gum leaves to the koalas, and our friendly free-ranging kangaroos enjoy their morning meal

10:00 AM - CASSOWARY FEEDING

The magnificent cassowary is the 3rd largest bird in the world, and is a keystone species in maintaining the health of tropical rainforests. There are fewer than 1000 left in the wild. Learn what we can all do to help them, and hand feed some fruit to Yarrabah and Hope.

10:30 AM - TURTLE + BARRAMUNDI FEEDING

Have some fun feeding our Krefft’s turtles, and learn a bit about the history of our very own billabong. Watch the barra churn up the water as Rangers toss some pellets to these popular local freshwater fish [during the cooler months only].

10:45 AM - WOMBAT EXPERIENCE**

Tickle a Wombat’s Toes!
The wombat is the largest burrowing mammal in the world! Learn all about these awesome little diggers. Then come up and give Wanda a pat, or purchase a souvenir photo holding Reuben on your lap!

11.15 AM - KOALA EXPERIENCE**

Why do koalas sleep for most of the day? What is their closest Australian relative? Learn the surprising answers to these questions, then get up close and pat a koala in Koala Crescent, or purchase a souvenir photo as you cuddle one of these endearing marsupials. Billabong Sanctuary is one of the few places in the world where you can hold a koala!

12.00 NOON - REPTILE EXPERIENCE**

From the safety of our reptile pit, our expert rangers will showcase one of our venomous snakes, as well as our local pythons. You will then have the chance to get up close with some of our lizards, pythons, and even a baby croc! Handling is free, but you can also purchase a souvenir photo holding a native reptile or a monster Burmese python. He’s huge, but he’s friendly!

1.00 PM - CROCODILE FEEDING

The most exciting show of the day—a powerful saltwater croc explodes out of the water to snatch food from our Rangers! North Queensland is croc country. Learn how to stay safe while you enjoy our magnificent waterways.

2.00 PM - FREE-FLIGHT BIRD SHOW

Gunther the barn owl swoops silently over your head. Yasi the black kite puts on an amazing display of aerial acrobatics. Meet a curlew and a tawny frogmouth and pose for a photo with Quixote, our cheeky rainbow lorikeet.

2:30 PM – TURTLE FEEDING + TURTLE RACES

Have some more fun feeding those Krefft’s turtles, then cheer on your favourite racing reptile in the ever-popular turtle derby. The winner gets an extra chunk of fish skin!

2:45 PM – DINGO EXPERIENCE

Dingoes came to our shores over 18 000 years ago so can be regarded as native animals. Yet they are widely persecuted. In this newly-expanded show, learn more about his misunderstood native animal. Then have a pat and pose for photos with King, Allira or Kalari, our own friendly dingoes. (No extra charge)

3:15 PM – CROCODILE FEEDING

If you missed this spectacular show earlier, here is your chance to see the mighty estuarine crocs in action as they power out of the water for a feed. It’s a thrilling spectacle!

3.45 – PM WOMBAT EXPERIENCE **

4:00 PM – KOALA EXPERIENCE **

Come and meet Banjo in Koala Crescent—give him a pat and take a photo. You may also purchase a souvenir photo as you hold one of our friendly handling koalas.

4:20 PM – REPTILE EXPERIENCE **

Here’s your chance to get up close to some of these fascinating creatures. You can also purchase a souvenir photo with a reptile of your choice.

4:40 – KANGAROO FEEDING

Our friendly free ranging kangaroos gather round the feeder for their afternoon meal. They tend to seek out a shady spot to sleep during the heat of the day, so this is another great opportunity to get up close for a pat and some photos.

** Optional Souvenir Photo for a small extra charge. A portion of all proceeds supports Magnetic Island Koala Hospital.

Attention Parents:

For the koalas’ safety, as well as that of our visitors, we are required to restrict koala handling to children over 1.2 metres in height (4 feet). A board is posted by the photo area for reference.

Children who do not meet this requirement are still welcome to join Mum and Dad or big brother and sister for a family photo.

And over in Koala Crescent, another of our friendly koalas sitting on a branch will happily pose for a picture while you give it a pat.