A Visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in 1977
While at Amberly, Brisbane we had a chance to visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
We had seen some Koalas in the gum trees around the base, some of the guys had even managed to sell some to the Americans who were there on the same exercise.
This was all done in good fun until one of the Americans decided to climb the tree to give his new purchase a cuddle.
He was doing good, about 25 to 30 feet off the ground, reaching out to tickle his new toy under the chin when the Koala reacted, a quick swipe with one forepaw, a loud yell followed by the sounds of breaking branches and a loud thump as he hit the ground.
The hospital reported that they hoped he would make a full recovery, eventually.
The word came down from the boss that we were to stop selling [unrepeatable] Koalas to the Americans, effective immediately.
At Lone Pine, they had a couple of paddocks where you could feed tame kangaroos and emus who would eat small pellets out of your hand.
It was surprising how delicate the emus pecked, I was expecting a peck, they could eat without you feeling anything at all.
In another section were the Koalas that we had come to see.
There was even a peacock who displayed for us.
Just in case we got lost there was a signpost to show the way.
Koala bears are so cute :)
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I think that's where I went when I was in Brisbane a few years ago. We cruised up the river to get there. You can hold the koalas and get your photo taken. Well, you sort of make a shelf with your two hands and they plonk the koala onto your hands. You can't cuddle or stroke them. I had to wonder if they'd been sedated.
The first time I went you could sit them on one hand and stroke with one finger,
Next time was with my wife, they sat the Koala in her hands for the photo and it shit in her hands, that was the end of that, she now looks but won't touch.
Last time we went was up the river, a glourious day out.
Maybe the Koalas found a different wacky baccy before people did. Mind you, you would have to be wacky to live like them, up a gum tree.
Yes, it was a lovely cruise up the river. Not so lovely to be shat on.
We've had some better close encounters at Wellington Zoo - with cheetahs and red pandas.
She was not impressed with the Koala believe me. With no grandkids to use as an excuse a trip of 2 1/2 hours both was is a bit much as we get older, and don't really know where we are going, might try this summer, if we have one.
Can we ask Winny for one you reckon?
If we ask Winny, he'll just say - look, I've already given you more sun by October than you got all last spring and summer combined. What more do you want?
I hope I read that wrong - you're not thinking of going to Brisbane in summer, are you? They're already posting warnings that it will be extra hot, and not enough power for full air conditioning.
Our two favourite summer places are Lake Okareka near Rotorua and Kurutau on the west cost of Taupo. Both of those a bit closer for you than us.
With two daughters in Aus, a nomadic wife, goodness only knows where we will be,
There is a stream just out of Putararu with a couple of trout with my name on them, if I have any say.