Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/725964
Riverwalk, with stunning views of the river and Story Bridge, passing locals out on their daily jogs along the way, there's a certain quietness to it all, an unassuming beauty resting on the verge of discovery. That quickly becomes an apparent thread throughout my journey across Queensland. HANG OUT WITH LOCALS— OF THE ANIMAL VARIETY Upon learning you've returned from Australia, the first thing anybody is bound to ask is: "Did you see any koalas and kangaroos?" That's the perfect time to whip out your phone and show off. After all, you've travelled far enough to earn the right to brag, shame-free. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary, spanning 20 hectares in the Bris- bane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket. There, not only can you see one of more than 130 koalas, you can even hug one. There are other animals, too. Most notably, kanga- roos. Instead of being tucked away behind fences, you'll find them sunbathing in an open field. And it must be said that hand-feeding them is most definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas is another destina- tion for those wanting to get close to koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, pelicans, and even crocodiles (but don't get too close to the latter!). You can even have "Breakfast with the Birds" or "Picnic with the Parrots." As one of the caretakers remarked: "In zoos you feel bad because the animals don't get to leave, but here you feel a bit jealous because you don't get to stay." There are lush green landscapes, and the animals, save for the crocodiles, are free to roam. Something I discovered when a giant pelican flung itself toward me. But the relative freedom of this "habitat" didn't stop several of its kangaroo residents from mischievously plotting an escape route whenever a possibility presented itself, one hop at a time. EXPLORE THE QUEENSLAND LANDSCAPE Queensland offers visitors a curious mix of urban and jungle-like environments, and many ways to experi- ence them. Right along an area dubbed Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, the Burleigh Headland National Park is a great point from which to observe a diverse habitat, and watch the slew of surfers vying for just the right wave to ride along. For a more thrilling view of Brisbane, there's the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. There's something pow- erful about standing 80 metres above sea level, the city of Brisbane unfolding beneath you, with its tall build- ings, green hills and the river glistening, while traffic hums under your feet. And, if you're feeling particu- larly adventurous (not to mention, brave), after your climb, you can abseil 30 metres down the anchor pier. FALL 2016 DREAMSCAPES 51 LEFT: Diving the Great Barrier Reef is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and should be on everyone's "bucket list." Tourism and Events Queensland