Did you know that Australia is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world? This means that it gets a share of the earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems. With the feast of flora and fauna in this country, there’s no wonder why it enjoys booming tourism throughout the year.
Australia also boasts of having several endemic species of fish, bird, mammals and flowering plants. This means that a lot of these plant and animal species are unique to this country. This is why a trip to Australia is not complete without paying a visit to the Australia Zoo.
Located in Queensland, the Australia Zoo was originally a park housing reptiles in 1970. It was named Beerwah Reptile Park and was put up by Bob and Lyn Irwin. Over the years it has changed its name many times. It was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, then later the Crocodile Environmental Park and finally Australia Zoo.
From its humble beginnings as a home for crocodiles and other reptiles, it’s now a haven for almost every kind of species in Australia, from possums and raptors to tortoises and cheetahs. In 1991, the management of the Australia Zoo was passed on to Steve Irwin, son of Bob and Lyn. The zoo now belongs to Steve’s wife, Terri Irwin, who overtook management after her husband’s unexpected death.
One of the best ways to maximize your stay in Australia Zoo is to take part in what they call the Platinum Zoo Adventure. This is a package that gives you exclusive animal encounters and other features that not many guests have access to.
With this package, you get the exceptional chance to feed elephants, cuddle with koalas and hold a giant python. Also included in it are best seats for animal shows, as well as morning tea and a bountiful lunch al fresco.