W - Waterways Wildlife Park

Welcome to our tour of Australia. During the month of April we are going to visit our favourite spots in Australia. Come join us on our walkabout through the land down under.

Last Saturday we visited family and friends in Australia. Click here if you missed that post. Today we head to see some of the native wildlife.

I am sure at least some of you have noticed that I haven't included the native wildlife in the tour so far. I did show one of our native animals in this post but other than that its been pretty void of the wildlife. However that will all change today. Australia has many wonderful wildlife parks where you can get up close, touch and even feed some of our unique animals. Today I will showcase one of our favourite wildlife parks.

Waterways Wildlife Park, Gunnedah, NSW.
This park is located in Gunnedah in rural NSW, which is known as the koala capital of the world. This park is a little smaller but has many animals to see and without the crowds of the larger parks. It was started in 1981 by a couple who take in injured wildlife and nurse them back to help. They have a big variety of native animals and you can even go into the koala habitat and pet the koalas. We had a great time here and highly recommend this park to anyone who wants to see the native wildlife.
Cost: $5 for adults ($4 USD).
More Information: Waterways Wildlife Park Facebook page.
Address: Oxley Highway, Gunnedah West, NSW Click for map

One of the resident koalas taking a nap.

He looks like he was mad for being woken up but he is just yawning.

You aren't allowed to hold the koalas in NSW but you are permitted to pet them. I preferred this to holding them as it is less stressful for the koalas and you have more time with the koalas. Most of them stayed asleep while we pet them. The fur felt more like wool than fur.

Me petting a young emu. The adults can grow over 6 feet tall so this guy has some growing to do. 

The kangaroos and wallabies watching us from the top of the hill.

The kookaburra is one of our more vocal native birds.

but not nearly as noisy as this Sulphur Crested Cockatoo when he starts screeching.

This black cockatoo is not seen in the wild as often as the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo or Galah.

A pair of Galahs

The wombat is one of Amanda's favourite Australian animals.

The blue tongued lizard is one of the more commonly found lizards in the wild.

The Echidna is one of two egg laying mammals. It looks similar to an anteater.

The dingo is Australia's native dog species.

Hopping along.

"Think the humans can still see me?"

Kangaroo showing off its hopping skills.

One of the wallabies just watching the world go by.

How to get there: 
Car: Located about 6km/4 miles from Gunnedah. Approximately 6 hours one way from Sydney.
Air: Tamworth airport is the closest airport. (1 hour flight from Sydney) From Tamworth it is about 1 hour by car to the park.
Train: Daily service from Sydney to Gunnedah (6-7 hours from Sydney). It is a 10-15 minute drive to the park from the railway station. 

Do you have any Australian animals in the zoos near your home? Which of the photos is your favourite?