Koala Cuddling

What a Thrill!

Being able to cuddle a real koala has been something we've wanted to do ever since we got to Australia.  And today was Cuddle Time!  Yeah!

Koala Has Her Eyes on the Prize for Being Cuddled 

In Australia, Queensland is the only state that allows Koala Cuddling.  Of course, these little marsupials are wild animals and in the wild, one would never think to do this sort of thing.  But at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the Koalas are quite friendly and are scheduled for 30 minutes a day of cuddling, with every 3rd day off.  They are enticed to keep their eyes open and photo responsive by being fed gum tree leaves.

We started our journey by taking bus and train from Scarborough to the CBD (central business district) of Brisbane, then proceeded to the dock where we caught a 1.5 hour cruise up the Brisbane River to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

We enjoyed the ride up the river.  Homes and spring foliage made for a lovely ride, although it was abnormally cool for this time of year, and the winds were gusting up to 40 knots per hour.  Only the brave with jackets sat outside on this sunny day.  We rode outside in the lee of the pilot house on the way up the river, but chose to sit on the inside on our way back.

Looks like Spring and Fall Combined

Along the Banks of the Brisbane River

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a rustic and fairly small sanctuary.

Arriving at the Dock

Koalas, Dingos, Wombats, Devils, Lizards, and Kangaroos, Oh My!

There were many kinds of animals at the Sanctuary, but the main event for us was of course the Koalas.  They are just as cute, if not cuter than one would expect.  Koala is Aborigine word meaning "doesn't drink water".  These little marsupials "not bears" get their moisture from the gum tree leaves they eat.

Doing What Koalas Do Best  - PEEK - A

Koalas eat about 4 hours a day and sleep for 20.  They are sleepy little critters.  In order to sleep safely high in the trees, they lodge themselves in the crooks of the branches.

BOO!

What could be cuter than a Koala?  How about two Koalas....mum and joey.

And What Could Be Cuter than a Mum and Baby Joey Koala?   How about Mum, Joey in the Pouch, and Kindergarten Joey on her back.

The Koala fur is dense and soft, but not as soft as that of a kangaroo.

What I lack with my little for legs, I make up with my powerful back legs and tail.

What have you got in your pouch?

We also got to see some dingos up close and a lovely Kukaburra who wasnt' laughing.

Golden Dingos Checking One Another Out

Kukaburra Proverb.....She who laughs, lasts.

And so ended our wonderful day of being with these wonderfully unique creatures of the earth.  G'Day for Now!

All is Well with the 2 Yank Sail R's on SV Worrall Wind.