School Holiday Animal Encounters / Feeding presentations

9am to 10am: Rapt in Reptiles
10am & 2.30pm: Echidnas
10.15am: Crocodile Feeding
10.30am & 2.30pm: Farmyard Encounters
10.30am & 3.45pm: Penguins at Play
11am: See a Pelican whose bill can hold more than its belly can
11.15am & 1.15pm:  Dingo Walks
12.15pm: Rapt in Reptiles (Koala Sanctuary)
2.45pm: See life from a different perspective as our Flying Foxes eat dinner upside down.
3.15pm: Tucker time in the Dingo Den
4pm: Tasmanian Devil Feeding

Summer is the perfect time to visit Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to Sydney’s ultimate interactive wildlife experience. These school holidays, Featherdale has re-commenced its popular Crocodile feeds at 10.15am daily. Measuring over 4.5 metres, Ngukurr, the Park’s resident Saltwater Crocodile is often mistaken by visitors for a statue as he suns himself in his enclosure.  However, as many unsuspecting birds have discovered, the 39 year old Croc can move like lightning when he chooses to. Captured in 1987, after terrorising the local farm-dog population in the Northern Territory, Ngukurr was taken to Janamba Croc Farm to become part of a breeding programme. The cranky Croc didn’t take too kindly to this and attacked every female crocodile that he was placed with.  He was finally sent to Featherdale in 1992 where he now lives a happy and carefree life.
 
In addition to Crocodile feedings, special animal encounters will take place at Featherdale throughout the day, inviting visitors to take a walk on the wildside and get rapt in reptiles, waddle with the Fairy Penguins, enjoy a prickly encounter with an echidna or see life from a different perspective as our flying foxes enjoy their dinner – upside down!  The Park’s friendly swaggy also provides Swing the Billy demonstrations offering visitors the chance to swing the billy and sample some true blue bush tea.
 
During the Summer break, Featherdale will also be inviting kids to be junior keepers and assist with feeding baby animals in the Farmyard nursery.  The large barn and farmyard features a wide array of animals including goats, lambs, geese, piglets, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens.  The farmyard feedings have become a popular attraction for both young and old alike.  Farmyard encounters take place at 10.30am and 2.30pm daily.

Featherdale will also be holding Dingo walks at 11.15am and 1.15pm and Rapt in reptile encounters in the Koala Sanctuary at 12.15pm from the 20th December to the 26th January.
 
Featherdale Wildlife Park is open 9am - 5pm everyday of the school holidays including New Years Day. Featherdale is located in Doonside, just 45 minutes west of Sydney’s CBD. 

Featherdale Wildlife Park took home two Awards at the 2011 Greater Sydney Tourism Awards held last night at the Waterview Function Centre, Bicentennial Park.  Showcasing the Greater Sydney region’s finest tourism operators, the Awards provides an opportunity for these businesses to achieve recognition for their achievements.   
 
This is the second year running that Featherdale has won the coveted Gold Award in the ‘Tourist Attractions’ category and as a result, the Wildlife Park located in Doonside, will now automatically become a finalist at the NSW Tourism Awards to be held in November.  In 2010, Featherdale won Silver for ‘Major Tourist Attraction’ at the State Awards.
 
In addition to the Gold Award, Featherdale was honoured to be the recipient of the Westlink M7 Greater Sydney Champion Award which recognises the extraordinary business commitment to the community and to customer service.
 
In accepting both Awards for Featherdale, Administration Manager, Lisa Christie recognised the support and collaboration of friends and colleagues within the Tourism Industry.  She further went on to acknowledge the team behind the Park’s success, “Whether it be at an International or local level, it has been our vision to create the ultimate interactive wildlife experience for everyone to appreciate, learn from and enjoy. This vision however, could not have become a reality without the passionate team behind Featherdale and, to be the recipient of such a prestigious award is a testament to their continuing hard work and dedication”.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Blake Lively came up close and personal with some of the local Australian Wildlife at Featherdale Wildlife Park on Monday afternoon.  Leo, who is in Australia to film 'The Great Gatsby' took time out of his film schedule to spend time with Blake during her whirlwind visit downunder. 

The couple arrived with their entourage and spent two hours touring the Park.  Featherdale staffers Kellie Ames and Rhys McDonald brought out a range of animals for the group to meet including a baby Dingo Pup named Nala, 'Austin' the Koala, a baby Wombat, a python called 'Cuddles' and 45 cm Saltwater Crocodile.  'We were told to expect a VIP group but were really surprised to see Leo and Blake get out of the car', Kellie said.  'I think they were really blown away to walk through the entry and see Wallabies hopping around freely.  They wanted to get up close to the animals, and that's what we pride ourselves on providing'.

'The couple appeared to really enjoy each other's company during their visit', Kellie Ames further said.  'They loved spending time with the Koalas and Leonardo was especially interested in Featherdale's animal conservation and breeding programs'.   

Featherdale is gearing up for a busy Spring season.  Already, the Park has welcomed a variety of baby animals including Koala and Kangaroo Joeys, Penguin Chicks and a variety of baby reptiles and birds.