The fantastic animals of Queensland, Australia and where to find them
Australia is a growing market for Filipino travelers. Just at the end of 2024, the country noted over 17,000 visitor arrivals from the Philippines, indicating a steady increase from the previous year. Not to mention, as of June 2023, there are 361,860 Filipinos living there.
“The Land Down Under” is a vast country known for its different climate zones: a tropical north, temperate coastal regions, and dry and arid deserts. In certain seasons, temperatures there closely resemble those of the Philippines—that is, without the humidity we’re all too familiar with.
But, just as Australia is home to several climates, they are also home to various tourist destinations—from the cultural centers of Sydney and Melbourne to the beaches of the Gold Coast. But thanks to its friendly climate and rich wildlife, Australia too is home to various animals, both adorable and oftentimes unusual, that are worthy destinations in their own right. So much for its reputation for massive tarantulas and other spine-tingling creepy crawlies.
Where do you find them? In Queensland, one of Australia’s six states.
Feed dolphins at the Tangalooma Island Resort
Just a 75-minute catamaran cruise from Brisbane, Tangalooma Island Resort is located on Moreton Island, a naturally formed sand island.
The island resort is host to several family-friendly activities, such as ATV rides, sand tobogganing, whale watching, and snorkelling between the Tangalooma Wrecks.
But every night, a family of dolphins visits the shores of Tangalooma, allowing guests the opportunity to feed the kind mammals in an experience no zoo can ever capture.
Koalas, kangaroos, and much more at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary. Inside, there are over 100 species of Australian animals, from kangaroos and koalas to several species of birds and snakes.
The sanctuary also hosts close encounters with koalas, and it also contains a massive open space where you can hand-feed kangaroos in their natural habitat.
Penguins, seals, polar bears, and rides at Sea World
At Sea World, one of the Gold Coast’s five main theme parks, you can be up close to your favorite aquatic animals—whether through educational talks about penguins and polar bears, or even swimming with dolphins. And that’s on top of the various exhilarating rides and attractions around. This is not your usual themed park.
Walk an alpaca at the Mountview Alpaca Farm
Alpacas are as soft as advertised and are definitely a treat to have around. A tip from my experience with Pedro the alpaca: keep them close and continue to walk around while occasionally giving them treats from a food pouch the farm gives you. The moment you stop, they’ll start eating grass, making them hard to move. They’re surprisingly heavy eaters.
Tropical Fruit World
As its name suggests, Tropical Fruit World is home to over 500 varieties of tropical fruits from around the world—from your usual bananas and mangoes to rare ones like the chocolate pudding fruit.
A complete Tropical Fruit World tour includes a delectable fruit tasting session followed by a guided tour around the plantation while riding a massive tractor. Also included in the mini itinerary is a visit to Fauna Park, where you can feed animals such as sheep, kangaroos, and cows. Not to mention, there is also a brief wildlife boat cruise where you can spot turtles, ducks, water dragons, and possibly 86 species of native birds—if you keep your eyes peeled.
