Starting tomorrow, guests can visit the new exhibit to encounter animals unique to South Australia, including southern koalas, red-necked wallabies and laughing kookaburras in a setting reminiscent of the South Australia outback. Through the immersive walk-through experience, guests will be inspired to contribute to the sustainable future of the planet by practising LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability).

First Attraction Themed on South Australian Outback 

Through Adventures in Australia presented by ANZ, Ocean Park has taken its creativity in designing immersive attractions to new heights. Guests will enter the new attraction through the Great Entertainment Theatre in Old Hong Kong under the pretext of viewing a movie entitled “Adventures in Australia”. At the theatre’s entrance foyer, guests will learn about the natural heritage of South Australia, from the interior “outback” to the coastal metropolis of Adelaide, as well as the wisdom behind the sustainable lifestyle of Aboriginal communities. After guests proceed past breath-taking images of South Australia along a “film corridor”, they will emerge in an open exhibit space modelled on the South Australian outback for a visual and full sensory encounter with southern koalas, red-necked wallabies and laughing kookaburras in a natural-looking eucalyptus forest. To provide guests a more realistic Australian outback experience and the animals a more suitable living environment, the exhibit is climate-controlled to match the temperature and humidity during the different seasons in South Australia, and illuminated by a combination of natural and LED lights to simulate the hours of the day. Consistent with its LOHAS message, the attraction features extensive use of recycled timber and a wide range of environmentally friendly materials, equipment and designs.

Results of Naming Campaign

Ocean Park today also announced the results of its Koala Naming Campaign, which saw the name “Yani” garner 62% of all the votes cast, with “Tindo” and “Makko” finishing at 27% and 11% respectively. The winning name has been given to a female koala, which is distinguished by her heart-shaped face, grey-spotted nose and white fur below her right eye. The other two koalas now living in the attraction are retaining the names they were given at birth in South Australia: the male koala marked by a darker coat of fur is named Dougie, whilst the female koala with a round face and a white spot under her left eye is named Merinda. All three are nearly two years old and have adapted well to their new home in Hong Kong and the new diet of leaves sourced from Ocean Park’s eucalyptus farms in China.  

In addition to the three koalas, Adventures in Australia presented by ANZ is also home to three red-necked wallabies, including one male and two females, and four laughing kookaburras, comprised of one male and three females. These animals are set to delight guests with interesting sights and sounds. Named for the reddish fur on their napes and shoulders, red-necked wallabies are known for their hopping skills, just like their marsupial cousins the kangaroo. As their name suggests, laughing kookaburras make sounds that resemble a human chuckle. They can be found flying freely throughout the exhibit. Five more koalas, also gifted by the Government of South Australia, will eventually relocate to Hong Kong to join the animals now on display.

Engaging LOHAS in Everyday Life

The new attraction features extensive interactive panels and games to offer guests an engaging way to learn tips on adopting LOHAS in everyday life, such as taking 5-minute showers to save water and time; making low-carbon choices when shopping for groceries; and using natural materials such as lemon juice and baking soda to clean different stains. Other interactive games showcase the natural landscapes and rich biodiversity of South Australia, and present the threats koalas face and how humans can help by reducing the use of wood products. Guests can support conservation by donating to the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK) by cash or Octopus Card inside the exhibit. Before guests exit the attraction, they have the opportunity to learn about common environmental challenges faced by Hong Kong and South Australia, and explore eco-tourism destinations in South Australia against the backdrop of a panoramic view of Adelaide’s beautiful skyline.

Ocean Park today also signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of South Australia and Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia, to undertake collaborative projects within the fields of conservation and tourism research as well as education and public engagement. Among the potential projects to be considered is studying how the koalas in Adventures in Australia adapt to their new environment and diet.

Animal Discovery Fest 

The newly opened Adventures in Australia presented by ANZ is one of the highlights of this year’s Animal Discovery Fest, which runs from 28 March to 3 May. Other seasonal presentations include exclusive guest programmes such as Amazing Birds Close-up and three Habitat Walk and Talk programmes focusing on Australian animals, sea jellies and dolphins respectively. The Waterfront Plaza will play host to The Aborigines: Story through Dance, a vibrant dance show about the history of the Aborigines; while the Summit Plaza will be the venue for Didgeridoo: Tunes from Afar, a showcase of one of the world’s oldest musical instruments. Younger guests would not want to miss The Wild Mates Puppet Show, featuring koala and wallaby puppets at the LOHAS Junior Camp in Whisker Harbour.

This year’s Animal Discovery Fest will also see the launch of Blue Hero Mission, a new family-oriented challenge through which guests will learn about green living. Guests who make a donation to OPCFHK will receive a mission handbook to collect ticks by completing tasks at various locations within the Park. Each guest who completes all 13 missions will be awarded a Blue Hero badge.