I may or may not be totally obsessed with animals (hint: I am). So you can’t imagine how excited I was when I got to visit the Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville (hint: I was shaking with excitement).
Heaven on earth for me
I’ve looked into Billabong before. I actually included it in my brochure of Townsville I made for my photoshop class last semester. I knew the prices and the shows before I even got to Australia. I’m obviously a wonderful advertising student.
James Cook University planned a trip for students to go and visit. It was $30 for transportation and entry. Of course, it was mainly international students on this trip. Actually, I think it was all international students. For some reason Australians aren’t as overly obsessed with their country as I am. Weird, right?
Within two minutes of walking into Billabong, a kangaroo walked by. It just walked by, not a care in the world, just free to wander. WHAT! What is this magical place that I just stepped into?!
Oh hello you precious marsupial!
The kangaroos were like dogs. They walked right up to you, enjoyed being pet, and seemed to love the attention and treats. The kangaroos we saw were Eastern grey kangaroos. These are the same ones my group chased out in the wild during out first day in Australia. They were smaller than the kangaroos you’re probably picturing. I know I always pictured a really big kangaroo, the ones that hop around in the outback, but that’s a red kangaroo. The Eastern Grey can get pretty big too, they are the heaviest marsupial in the world, but the Red kangaroo is the biggest.
Sup, ladies?
These grey kangaroos were adorably fun-sized. I fell in love instantly. And I had to pet every single one that crossed my path.
Also I fed a kangaroo, and it held my hand. It was the best moment of my life.
Who needs a boyfriend when this guy wants to hold my hand?
We were split into 3 separate groups and went around visiting different animals. My group’s first stop was the reptiles. We got to learn about crocodiles and snakes and got to hold one. Since I already held a crocodile, I went for the snake. I had to put it around my neck. It was a life goal.
Just holding my new friend
Just kidding, that wasn’t me. This is. Close enough though, right?
The scariest thing I learned about crocodiles was that the saltwater crocs (salties) can swim into rivers. This is after I went swimming in a river near school and was told that freshwater crocs (freshies) don’t bother you. Gee, thanks for informing me that saltwater crocs enjoy a dip in the river as well. Mark that down as another thing I’m terrified of. Right after spiders.
This suddenly doesn’t seem very safe
Next we got to see a wombat. Are you like my mother and don’t know what a wombat is? Shame on you! Wombats are probably the cutest things I have ever laid eyes on. Like a giant cuddly teddy bear!
I just can’t handle it. Too cute.
They are social creatures and like being on a schedule. When the cyclones hit Australia this year, they got depressed because they couldn’t come out and see people and get their bellies rubbed! Like stop, I can’t handle to cuteness.
Stop it right now!
Like kangaroos, they are marsupials. They have rodent like front teeth that they need to file down by gnawing on tough vegetation and they have powerful claws used for digging.
It dug a hole right into my heart!
I just want to hold it and cuddle it forever. But I can’t, because that’s illegal.
Our group then went to see koalas. They were boxed in, but not necessarily caged. We could reach in and pet their backs while they napped in their trees. Adorable little critters. Ugh, I love everything.
Daawwww
Oh hi there sleepy head
We got to hold the koalas, for a price. I had this planned out already, so this came as no surprise. I literally had a change bucket labeled “koala fund” and saved up more than enough to hold one. I’m a little determined. It was $16 to hold the precious little creature, and I was one of the first people in line. Duh.
Worth the money? Yes.
We also got to see a croc feeding show. You know how you know something is big, but then you see it in person and you’re like, “holy crap, that is huge!” Well, that’s how I felt when I saw a croc leap up to snap at some meat dangled on a rope.
Brave man
They were saltwater crocs and they were the most intimidating creatures I have ever seen. Oh and they’re everywhere in Australia. Like I said earlier, their name is misleading because they can even go in fresh water. Seriously, Australia? Get your act together.
Stole this one from Sharkbait, but yeah, not something I want to brush up against my leg in the river
Later Sharkbait (Katrina) and I wandered off to a caged in area to ogle some red-legged pademelons. What is a red-legged pademelon? Well, it’s only the most adorable creature ever, that’s what.
Eeep!
It looks like an extremely small kangaroo or wallaby, with big eyes and super soft fur. They were not as daring as the kangaroos wandering about, but eventually one did let me pet it.
It was a magical moment
Then my usual crew of Americans wandered off to visit other animals in Billabong.
Also stolen from Sharkbait, but emus are ugly creatures.
Dingos look like regular dogs. This is a problem. Because they’re dangerous. And I want to pet it.
Taken from Sharkbait. A cassowary is the world’s most dangerous bird. It scares me.
Google image to give you a better idea
We also saw a venomous snake show and I nearly peed my pants. I wouldn’t notice half of them. I didn’t get to take any pictures of them because my camera died of excitement. There are way too many deadly snakes living here. At least I learned how to wrap a snake bite… kind of. Maybe. I might have forgotten already.
I really would love to go back to Billabong Sanctuary. What would be even better is if I could volunteer there. I emailed someone about volunteering, but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. I even went as far as to find a worker willing to drive me when I volunteer. I am fully prepared to scoop up koala poop (even though I don’t even like cleaning the kitty litter) and hopefully I will get an email soon saying that I can! Wish me luck.
I could totally do this job
A Broad Abroad 