Flying High Bird Sanctuary

Flying High Bird Sanctuary and its collection

Flying High Bird Sanctuary, opened in 2002, is a zoo in Apple Tree Creek, Australia.

The sanctuary stands at the junction of the Bruce Highway and Old Creek Road, roughly 50 km south of Bundaberg.

History

It opened as Flying High Bird Habitat in December 2002, then consisting of just the main aviary and roughly 300 birds. The ground was formerly the Apple Tree Creek school site; after the school closed in the late 1960s its two buildings were relocated, and John Woodall began construction in 2001.

Exhibits

The main aviary spans over 2 acres and stands more than 7 m tall. It holds 300 m of paths through rainforest planting, with birds from Australia, Asia and South America.

Conservation and approach

Birds are bred and hand-reared for the pet trade, harlequin and Catalina macaws included. Captive breeding of native birds is also carried out, with the young destined for release to boost wild numbers.

What the venue says

• roughly 300 metres of walking trails winding through a lush rainforest setting
• the largest free-flight aviary in Australia
• Stroll right alongside free-flying birds in a naturalistic habitat.
• purchase animal feed to hand-feed the birds and other wildlife
• bottle-feeding baby goats
• Located on the corner of the Bruce Highway and Old Creek Road in Apple Tree Creek (just north of Childers), with onsite vehicle parking available.
• generally flat and built for walking tours