Gold Coast | Paradise Country

📍 Gold Coast Paradise Country Finally got to hold a koala～ 🎫 Tickets: Download the "Theme Parks" app from the App Store (last picture), then select "Paradise Country" to buy tickets. Maybe because it’s Sunday, there were no koala photo tickets left by Saturday night, but there were a few remaining spots for the 12:30pm Koala Encounter, at 99 AUD per ticket. Farm entry tickets are separate, 49 AUD for adults. ⌛ Time Management: The Koala Encounter is a group activity, so try to be on time. For example, if the activity starts at 12:30pm, it’s best to park by 12:15pm. It’s a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the entrance. After checking in, turn left to the Wildlife Photo Center. Show the koala encounter barcode on the app at the counter, and staff will give you a wristband. Once the group is gathered, a keeper will take everyone to start the experience. 🐨 Activities: The keeper first introduces the koalas’ food (various leaves), then gives each person a branch to feed the koalas later. Then you’ll enter the koala enclosure, where the keeper introduces the koalas. You can feed them, pet them, and finally take close-up photos with them using your phone. The group was small—only me and a local father-daughter pair—so the experience was good, lasting just over 20 minutes. 📷 Photos: During the koala encounter, if you have a companion with you, it’s best to have them take photos from outside the enclosure! At first, you can’t take out your phone while petting or feeding the koala, but onlookers outside can take pictures freely. ⚠️ Note: The koala encounter includes a koala photo session, but the encounter and photo session are separate. After the encounter, you can explore the farm, then return to queue for the photo session at the scheduled time (1:30pm in the afternoon). One ticket allows the whole family to join the photo (only one person holds the koala). Photos can be picked up at the same location 15-20 minutes after shooting, and there’s a QR code to download the digital version. Other Activities: You can interact closely with lambs, alpacas, and kangaroos (included in the entry ticket), as well as meerkats (like Timon from The Lion King), dingoes, etc. All in all, it’s a fun place for kids and adults alike. Actually, my friend recommended Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, but I didn’t have enough time (koalas basically stop interacting after 2pm). Paradise Country is a good alternative—it fulfilled my wish to hold a koala, and I’m content. (whisper: Koalas actually smell a bit stinky). #UpCloseWithAnimals #CountrysideJoy #GreenAndNatural #Australia #Koala #ParadiseCountry #GoldCoast