If you want a great family escapes for the day, somewhere to entertain and educate the kids, a place to get up close and personal with some of the best wildlife that Australia has to offer, then you really can’t go past the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary.
Walk around at a relaxed pace, or take advantage of a sanctuary tour from 2pm. Listen to the guided commentary while feeding the animals, and soak up some sun rays.
See Dingo’s, birds, lizards, snakes and possums. Visit with the Kangaroos, Emus and wallaby’s in their special enclosure, meet Winston the Wedge Tailed Eagle, and get nibbled on by Kadar the Camel. For a small fee you can also have a special encounter with a dingo or a snake.
Barbecues are available to hire for those that would like to take their own food, there is also a canteen available for snacks, light lunches or liquid refreshments. Here you will also find a range of souvenirs for sale, along with bags of animal food that you can purchase to feed the native wildlife.
The Curator of the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, Ray Revill is the heart and the soul of the place, along with his team of volunteers who are involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of native fauna. Some of the Volunteers are also licensed to care for the sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, this is a monumental task in itself, and these volunteers are to be applauded.
You can help the Sanctuary by donating money that is used directly for medical expenses for the animals and birds. The money also assists in the maintenance of the grounds and enclosures. You can also donate products such as tools or building materials, fruit and vegetables, bird seed, and Lucerne to really make a difference.
Individuals, groups, clubs and businesses can also sponsor an animal or bird that is housed within the Sanctuary. Sponsors receive a certificate of appreciation and during the time of sponsorship, the certificate is displayed on the Sponsor’s Board at the sanctuary, a full list of available animals is on the web-page.
If you love our native wildlife and have ever thought about volunteering click on the web-page below to find out the relevant information.
Markets are held at the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary on the third Sunday of every month from 7am to midday. You will find a variety of stalls to suit everyone. Entry to the markets is by donation, and best of all on market days, admission to the sanctuary is free to market visitors until 12pm.
The Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on Mungar Road at Oakhurst, Maryborough, and open from 10am till 5pm daily.
For more information, including ticket prices go to: http://www.frasercoastwildlifesanctuary.org.au/
The Sanctuary receives no direct government funding and simply relies on volunteers, corporate sponsorships, and general sales.
Written by Kim Parnell
Photos: Kim Parnell
