As you walk towards the Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary, look to your right for what is now a lush green space amid the stores. It’s a beautiful reminder of what once was a vibrant zoo teeming with life.
Back in the day, from 1992 to 2005, this place was bustling with around 700 animals. Imagine a massive bird aviary echoing with the calls of fairy wrens, kingfishers, and parrots! It was like a live Aussie concert. The sanctuary also had adorable koalas, cheeky wallabies, and even the iconic Tasmanian devils.
For the reptile fans, there were snakes, turtles, and even freshwater crocodiles-thankfully all behind glass! There were also animated dinosaurs for a jurassic blast from the past. Natureworks, led by David Joffe, created this wonder post-Expo 88. Despite its incredible setup, the sanctuary faced challenges and ultimately closed in 1998, making way for retail and office spaces.
So as you stroll by, picture a time when this place roared, chirped, and croaked with life-Brisbane’s very own wild kingdom!
