Breakfast with the Koalas: A Parent’s Ultimate Animal Adventure

Breakfast with the Koalas: A Parent’s Ultimate Animal Adventure

You tell the kids, “Guess what? Today, we’re having breakfast with the koalas!” They look at you with a mix of awe and suspicion. “Koalas? Are they like giant teddy bears?” your youngest asks. “Do they eat pancakes?” the older one wonders. You chuckle, imagining a koala flipping flapjacks. “Sort of,” you say, knowing full well this will be an adventure they’ll never forget.

Getting There

The trip to the wildlife park is an adventure in itself. “Are we there yet?” is asked approximately 57 times in a 30-minute drive. Your partner navigates with the skill of a Formula 1 driver while you keep the peace in the backseat, handing out snacks like a referee tossing energy bars at a marathon.

The Arrival

Finally, you arrive. The air is filled with the sweet scent of eucalyptus and the occasional sound of a koala munching on leaves. Your kids are wide-eyed, and your partner is already scoping out the coffee stand. “Do they have espresso?” they ask, only half-joking.

The Main Event: Koala Breakfast Time

We were greeted with tea and coffee while we awaited our group zookeeper. Our keeper was knowledgeable, and we were able to see so many Australian animals, clear of crowds and outside of animal sleep routines. The first animal we saw was the ever-energetic red tree kangaroo, clearly wanting to show off for the group and making sure everyone got a close look. Meanwhile, the echidna across from him was a little shyer. Our keeper then took us to see the Tasmanian devil, followed by the dividing, but intriguing, Australian venomous snakes. These were definitely a hit with our 2 ½-year-old son, but not so much with all guests.

We were then led over to some amazing reptiles and onto the rock kangaroos, and the definite crowd favourite, the wombat. Clearly aware he was a crowd favourite; he did not disappoint and made his move to show us all how much he loves a back scratch. We managed to see a number of nocturnal animals before being moved through to the cute and bouncy kangaroos. It was feeding time for the kangaroos, and they were trying very hard to get their carrots.

The next exhibition was the crocodiles. We had a fabulous show here, with two of the crocodiles showing the crowd how they blow bubbles, something our keeper advised does not happen every day and is consistent with a mating ritual.

Parent Perks

The best part? While the kids are fascinated by the koalas, you actually get to enjoy your breakfast. For the first time in what feels like years, you sip your coffee while it’s still hot. You take a bite of your food without someone asking for a piece. Bliss.

Educational Moment

The handlers give a little talk about koalas, their diet, and their habitats. The kids are surprisingly attentive, probably because they’re still in awe of seeing a koala up close. You nod along, soaking in the information and already planning to drop some koala facts at the next playdate.

Koala Breakfast

From here we were taken to the café and koalas. We were met with a well-stocked hot buffet, fruit, and tea and coffee. While we indulged in our breakfast, our keeper informed us about a few “false facts/misconceptions” about the beautiful “cuddly” koala.

We were then fortunate enough to get up close with the koalas and get our photos taken. This was a huge hit with the kids and a little construction noise may have helped get some great photos of the koala. We were very fortunate to be there at a time that had recently seen the birth of a joey and Mumma koala was shy at first to show off her little joey. However, she became more confident as the morning went.

Wrapping Up

As the breakfast winds down, you realize that this has been one of the most relaxing family outings you’ve had in a long time. No tantrums, no meltdowns, just pure koala magic. You snap a few more photos, knowing these will make excellent additions to the family album – or, let’s be real, your social media feed.

The Aftermath

On the drive home, the kids chatter non-stop about their new koala friends. They fall asleep mid-sentence, exhausted but happy. You and your partner share a look of triumph. Breakfast with the koalas was a success, and you managed to create a memory that will be cherished forever. Plus, you got to drink your coffee while it was still hot. That’s a win in any parent’s book.

The Verdict

We attended the breakfast with the koalas with our 6-year-old and 2 ½-year-old. While our 2 ½-year-old enjoyed it, it was probably a little too long for his attention span. However, our 6-year-old found it enjoyable and learned a lot about native Australian animals. Overall, this was such a fun morning out, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

So, if you’re looking for a unique and delightful way to spend a morning with your family, breakfast with the koalas is a must. It’s educational, entertaining, and a whole lot of fun. And who knows? You might just find yourself planning your next animal adventure. Now, if only they had breakfast with sloths…

There you have it! A koala-filled, coffee-fuelled adventure that’s sure to leave your family with memories and stories to tell. Just remember to bring extra snacks for the ride there, and be prepared for a lot of “Are we there yet?” questions. Happy koala breakfasting!