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The Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park

5/17/2016

1 Comment

 
We had SUCH an amazing time WWOOFing at the Wildlife Park I don't even know where to begin. 
We didn't know anything about the park, let alone that you could do WWOOFing there before we went. We just saw it as a park to take Gypsy to. And it was! She had a great time! There is a petting area with Kangaroos, Wallabies, Emu, Alpaca and Deer, and she just loved feeding the animals. We spent about an hour wandering through, feeding the animals and petting them and talking amongst ourselves about how great it was. 
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It was so refreshing to see animals in really large, almost free-range enclosures. They all looked so happy, and free. But we noticed that there was lots of work that could be done there. Then, as fate would have it, we met 2 of the volunteers. They were really lovely and told us they were WWOOFing and how much they were enjoying it. Roh immediately went into "root-planting" mode and wanted to stay. I was less convinced. We had only just gotten back on the road again, and I really just wanted to keep going. We decided that we would ask, ONLY if it was meant to be. So we finished our time and went to leave. And who should we literally bump into? The Manager! Roh and Josef got talking and 15 minutes later we were offered a job. 
For those of you not familiar with WWOOFing, or HelpX, or Workaway, a "job" means that you agree to work for a designated amount of time in exchange for food and board.  
We decided to stay for 2 weeks and see how we were feeling.. 6weeks later we had to literally drag ourselves away, crying... It was just SUCH an amazing experience!
Roh built a bridge, and helped finish the observation deck, as well as other handyman stuff. 
Gypsy and I took over the organic garden. We planted new crops, harvested ripe vegetables and raked manure. We fed the animals, we talked to the animals. We had so much fun. 

So rather than bore you with words, here are some pictures from our time there. 
And if you are ever in the neighbourhood, definitely drop by to check it out for yourselves!!
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Gypsy the crazy cat woman
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The Kangaroo herd. Photo by Josef.
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Just chatting to Rosie.
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Feeding time with Irene.
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Gardening duties. Such a peaceful time of the day.
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Feeding the donkeys from the Observation deck.
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The dingoes like leaves, or rocks, or actually anything that Gypsy gives them.
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Why walk when you can sleep in a wheelbarrow!
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Thank you ladies for your eggs!
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Chilling out on the Bridge. Photo by Josef.
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Roh, surveying his bridge! Photo by Josef.
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The stag.
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Helping Levana in the shop. Yes, there are 2 more cats in the baskets.
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That time a wild Koala just walked into the park and climbed a tree!
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Bottle feeding the Joeys with Bek.
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The work bench Roh built.
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Our AMAZING team (minus Josh and Irene.) Love Love Love you all!
1 Comment
Nana
5/19/2016 10:11:39 pm

Wow what an amazing adventure. One to remember always xxx

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    For 2 years (2015-2017) we travelled around Australia as a family of 3 in a motorhome named NED. These are stories from our adventures. 

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    2 years and 45,000km later. What an adventure!

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