Australian Bush
Open
9am - 4:30pm
Take an all Aussie adventure through the wild Australian bush. Say g’day to Southern Koalas, Quokka and Long-nosed Potoroos, Emus, wallabies, wombats, kangaroos and a whole range of native birdlife including, Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, parrots, honeyeaters and more.
Learn all about these amazing animals, and discover a selection of Australia’s 20,000 flowering plants as you pass through this scenic trail.
Koala
Our famous koalas live in eastern Australia. Their lean, muscular body and strong limbs make koalas well suited to life in the trees; their five-digit paws are especially useful for gripping branches. Sadly, we are at risk of losing large populations due to habitat loss and a disease called Chlamydia.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
The Great Flight Aviary
The Great Flight Aviary is alive with glorious sights and sounds. Listen to a choir of bird calls, and see brightly coloured feathers overhead and waders pecking below. Spot the Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, Wonga Pigeons, Rainbow Lorikeets and Jabirus. The aviary is also home to chatty parrots, honeyeaters, Southern Cassowary, ducks and many other feathered friends.
Kangaroo Island Kangaroo
Our mob of kangaroos comes from Kangaroo Island in South Australia, where winters are cold. This is why their fur is thicker and denser than most other kangaroos. They eat lots of different things including the bark from leafy branches.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat
The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat is the most social of the three wombat species. These wombats are found in southern Australia and southeast Western Australia. They have short legs and large front feet, with bear-like claws. The pouch of the wombat faces backwards to protect the joey from dirt while mama wombats dig!
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Quokka
This Australian marsupial is known affectionately as ‘world’s happiest animal’ due to their friendly demeanour and smile-like expressions. Native to Western Australia, this small wallaby is extremely resourceful and equipped to thrive in hot and arid environments. Typically ground-dwelling, they are surprisingly great at climbing trees in search of the tastiest leaves.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Long-nosed Potoroo
A nocturnal marsupial that looks like a bandicoot, hops like a kangaroo, is the size of a rabbit and lives in dense bushland. Their sense of smell helps them forage for food in the dark of the night.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Swamp Wallaby
The Swamp Wallaby is one of the only macropods equipped with webbed feet! This adaptation makes them particularly strong swimmers. Their scientific name, Wallabia bicolor, means ‘two-coloured wallaby’. Their dark brown-black fur and light-coloured cheek stripes help to tell them apart from other species.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Tammar Wallaby
The Tammar Wallaby is a herbivorous macropod like its relative, the kangaroo. Though similar in appearance, Tammar Wallabies are smaller in both height and weight and are crepuscular. These roo look-a-likes typically sleep most of the day and emerge at dusk to eat native grasses and shrubs.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Emu
These unique Australians are our tallest and fastest native birds. Due to their size and anatomy, these birds can’t fly. Instead, they use their long legs to travel up to speeds of around 48km per hour! The emu’s genus name Dromaius is derived from the Greek word ‘runner’.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Short-beaked Echidna
The echidna, also called the ‘Spiny Ant-eater’, is found in a range of habitats around Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Their small body is covered with fur and prickly spines. Echidnas eat ants, termites, grubs and worms, using their fast-moving tongues to trap prey. Like the platypus, they lay eggs but are mammals.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable