Adventures in the Wildlife park - Berry Springs NT

 During our Easter break we decided to visit the Territory Wildlife Park. We had been advised by others that it is worth visiting and we would find it interesting.  The usual thoughts go through your head, what is different?  We have been to wildlife parks before; they are all the same.  Well, this was our chance to find out what was different.

Wallaby

 On arrival you are greeted by two lovely ladies in the shop.   They give you a short talk about the area where you are, a map   to guide you around the park, and let you know that, if you so   wish, there is a bus that you can hop on and off. The buses run   every half hourly or so and stop at the different attractions along   the way.  There are also approximately 6 klm of walking paths   around the park if you would like to exercise or assist the   children to expend some of their energy. If you are more energetic there is a bike hire for you to get around the park. There are alternatives to how you can get around the park at your own   leisure and speed. The buses are great if you are not able to walk   long distances, there are stairs on each bus to get up and into the seats.

Billabong

There is no time limit to how long you can stay, although the park does close officially at 4pm, and see each display.  Some displays you may want to look at longer while others for a shorter time.  Four displays have a ranger that will give a talk about the animals at that place, what they eat, their habits and where they normally live during the day and night.  At the Wallaroo place, the ranger will explain how to approach the wallabies, how to handle the food to feed them and where to not go if the animal has an area where they are not to be touched.  Please listen to this, as some people in our group thought they could follow the wallabies anywhere, even into their safe zone.

Flight Deck owl

 At the Billabong, the ranger will allow you to feed   the Pelicans some fish.  The Pelicans fly across the   water to the shelter and know that they will get a   belly load of fish from the people standing there.     There are also turtles and fish in the water as well.     If you watch carefully a turtle will pop its' head out of the water to say hello.

 Flight deck is pretty awesome, with a variety of bird   life. There are two shows running during the day.  While you sit on seats around the grassed area, the ranger will provide a talk on each of the birds that come out to visit.  Yes, they are trained and fed for their efforts, though it is great to see them in flight (a photo opportunity) and walking around the grassed area.

The Oolloo Sandbar is good fun to watch the Whiprays swim around the water.  They know as soon as the ranger enters the water up to his knees that they will be fed.  The ranger feeds the fish which includes Barramundi, Tarpon and the Whiprays. The Whiprays are such interesting characters, they swim up to the ranger and just about climb his leg.  It looks like they want to climb up his leg to get to the food, yes like the normal stingray the barb on the tail can hurt you, that is why they recommend that you do not pull it out.  A Whipray sting is used as a last resort of defence.  It can take as long as 12 months to grow another barb and during that time the Ray is left vulnerable to predators.

Whipray feeding time

There are many other attractions around the grounds for you to see and experience.  Dingo, The Nocturnal house (you have to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark though it is worth it), Buffalo (they were originally bred for their leather hide, which was used to make belts for machinery.

The drivers are awesome too.  One driver explained about the plants that are grown along the side of the road.  Some are for food and edible, some for medicines while others are poisonous and can kill. So, it's important to know which is which. A talk about the leaves and burning of the trees, as some trees do not sow their seeds unless the seed pod is subjected to immense heat.  The commentary from the drivers is very interesting and funny to listen too.  Thank you for a great talk and education about the flora in the area.

🐸🐸 We found the Territory Wildlife Park very interesting and educational.  Not just for the children, people of all ages would enjoy the talks and reading the information and know that there is something to learn each day.

What will you learn from the park that you did not know before?

Don't forget the Cafe makes very nice food and there is also water fountains scattered throughout the park so you can refill your bottles.

Soaring eagle