:: dicky beach and beyond ::

we are still powering down the east coast.
stopping at caravan parks chosen for their proximity to places we want to visit.
we have been lucky that they have all been gold.

one such location is dicky beach on the sunshine coast.

 dicky beach is so named because in 1893 a ship named the ss dicky was wrecked on the shore

 the shipwreck remains on the beach today.
this park was chosen because it is near steve irwin's austaralia zoo.
the mister has been a fan of steve long before it was fashionable (if it ever was)
long before his sudden and tragic death.

 the mister drove me to steve irwins zoo back when it was a tin shed in beerwah,
when steve worked there with his mum and dad who developed it.
the mister told me to sit in the car while he went in to find out how much the admission cost.
then he came out and said that since i wouldn't be all that interested there was no point paying the $20 entry so he would go in alone and he would be quick.
i waited in the car park in a hot little beetle convertable frying like a pork chop for endles hours.
all of these facts he now vehemently denies. 

anyhow, to get back on track,
yesterday we took the youngins to visit australia zoo and what a day it was.
even someone strongly opposed to the idea of animals in captivity would have to admit that this zoo does a pretty fine job.

 many of the animals are rescue cases and they truly live the life of riley.

 the grounds and enclosures are immaculate.

the entry fee seems a little hefty but i have to say that it is incredible value for money.

once inside all shows, rides, exhibits, keeper talks and demonstrations are included in the price.

 and the crocoseum show was stunning.

as were the birds of prey, something that we have become very fond of since travelling through the northern territory and seeing hundreds of whistling kites and many magnificent wedge tailed eagles.

 we all enjoyed a brilliant day in a place that was a tribute to the crocodile hunter and the irwin family.

 the staff were so dedicated and went out of their way to answer our questions.

 i coud easily spend another full day there.
there was so much more to see
we left exhausted and went home to good old dicky beach for a great meal at the surf club.
we stayed too long, drank too much and came an embarrasing second last in the trivia quiz.
luckily, home was a two minute walk away so we were able to roll down the hill and into bed. 

 

Comments

[tracylea]

How delightful! and what a wonderful chuckle. Of course he denies it, it must have seemed mere moments to him ;)

[TORI]

oohh australia zoo! did u see the piglet on the lead!!!?? ahahah hope ur enjoying it!<3
tori xox