Bottle Feeding Joeys- Quick Farm Stay Outside of Canberra

This past weekend we took a trip 1.5 hours outside of Canberra to a farm stay on an animal sanctuary. I found this online when I was researching something else and booked it months ago.  The cottage itself did not look quite as nice as the pictures on the farm stay's website, but it was nice enough.  It had a kitchen, a bed for us, and set us bunk beds for the kids. It did not have furnace but a fireplace instead. It did a decent job of keeping us warm, but if I were to go back, I would do it when it is a bit warmer out. One thing less to manage. They advertised internet and satellite television, but neither one was working.  This is the second time we have had this happen when staying out in the country, so I am starting to no longer believe they have wifi in the remote areas of the country. All that being said, it was a great experience!

Behind the farm stay cottage there is an enclosure with chickens, an alpaca named Panda, and a goat named Tilly - though Mike still thinks it's Chili. Lauren adored the goat and lamented the fact that the alpaca actively avoided being anywhere near us humans. The farm hand explained to us that the alpaca were on the farm to protect the other animals from foxes. She said that alpacas stomp foxes to death and foxes avoid them. 

Next to that enclosure, was another enclosure with three kangaroos (two of which were blind), two alpacas, and a bunch of geese. The geese were very loud bullies and often stole the alpacas' food. 

The next morning, we were able to go up to the main house for animal feeding.  First we met Xena a bush tail possum. Not at all like our possums in North America. These things are so cute. Xena ate yogurt and watermelon.

Next they brought out Mia, an eastern grey kangaroo. Lauren got the pleasure of feeding Mia.

 

Next is Rafa, a wallaby. He was bottle fed by me and Mike.  He is very curious and needed a more steady person to hold him.  He also farted A LOT.

 

Finally, there was Audrey, the wallaroo. Caitlyn fed Audrey. She was a sweet girl, who, according to the sanctuary owner, was intelligent and anxious.  That is why they give her a pacifier.

Audrey the wallaroo and her pacifier

They had all the animals in "pouches" they had made of nice warm material. They tried to replicate the best they could the way the animals would be raised in the wild. It was a really cool experience.  (Audrey also pooped on the pouch)

The second day we were there, we saw several kangaroos who had been raised and released by the sanctuary hanging out on the property.  This roo hopped up to the porch where we were feeding the joeys to ask for some food. According to the owner, they remember what time feeding is done and show up in hopes of getting some more food.

We also met a sugar glider. This thing was SO cute and probably the softest thing I have ever felt.

 

I never imagined I would get to bottle feed joeys. Super cool experience. Lauren is already asking to go back multiple times a year. She loves furry little animals.