There is something undeniably cute about a fluffy rabbit. They are soft, sweet, and utterly adorable, but also somewhat elusive it seems when it comes to finding a real one near home. So where are all our fluffy friends hiding? If, like us, you would love to see some rabbits up close and personal we have found the best places in south east Queensland to do so.
Can you own a rabbit as a pet in Queensland?
Unfortunately, as much as we would all love our own little Bugs Bunny as a pet at home, it is actually illegal to do so. This is because as cute as they seem, they actually cause severe land degradation and soil erosion and threaten the survival of many rare and endangered native species. Limited types of permits can be granted for domestic rabbits but only for research purposes, public display, magic acts, and circuses. Before a permit is granted, guidelines must be met.
Wild Rabbits
Current rabbit numbers are relatively low in South-east Queensland due in part to the Darling Downs-Moreton rabbit proof fence. Even so, it is possible to see rabbits in the wild in Brisbane and south east Queensland. They tend to live in areas where they can create burrows, with fallen trees and thick grass. They also like to be near the water.
Farms
Interactive Animal Area at White Ridge Farm
If you would love to cuddle a rabbit up close, there are several farms in south-east Queensland that have permission to keep them as barnyard pets.
White Ridge Farm
Nestled between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, White Ridge Farm is located just 5 minutes away from Caboolture and 8 minutes from the Bruce Highway. The farm is massive, with a lot to see and do, but it is the interactive animal area where their resident rabbits live. Here, you can meet with some pretty fluffy friends and even give them a brush and a feed.
Address: 130 Hamilton Rd, Elimbah
Trevena Glen Farm
Trevena Glen Farm offers visitors unique, hands-on experiences with all of their animals. They are licenced to display rabbits, and if you visit the farm, you can collect vegetables from their garden and then feed and interact with their pet rabbits.
Address: 1100 Winn Road, Mount Samson
The Llama Farm
Ipswich’s Llama Farm may be well known for its unique llama population but you won’t want to leave without visiting Floppsy, Moppsy, Toffee and Pepper too. These are their resident Flemish Giants, which are one of the oldest and largest breeds of rabbits in the world.
Address: 563 Riverside Drive, Pine Mountain
Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World
A visit to Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird world will see you wandering through picturesque gardens, marvelling at the array of exotic birds and patting the cutest animals at Farm Friends. It is here you can also get up close with the very fluffy and serious adorable rabbits which call the farmyard their home.
Address: 233 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny.
Sanctuaries and Zoos
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary have recently added a new addition to their vast animal collection – rabbits! With the opening of their Outback Springs experience the sanctuary have introduced a range of barnyard animals to meet, feed and play with. Amongst there are group of rare Lop-Eared Rabbits alongside other rabbit breeds.
Address: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin
Wildlife HQ
Wildlife HQ is one of our favourite, family-friendly zoos. Located right next to the Big Pineapple, its spacious grounds are filled with a huge array of animals – both native and exotic – including rabbits too! If you want to see these guys when at the zoo, they actually have an enclosure dedicated to rabbits and guinea pigs..
Address: 76 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye
Party Entertainment
Old Macdonald’s Travelling Farm
Old Macdonald’s Travelling Farms can bring the rabbits to you! With a number of mobile farms operating in and around south east Queensland, you can book their barnyard animals in for a visit next time you are thinking of hosting a party at home. There are rabbits to meet, feed and pet galore!
Magicians
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “pull a rabbit out of a hat”? Derived from the famous magician’s trick of pulling one out of their top hat, there are actually quite a few magicians in and around Brisbane that perform this trick in their act. One such act is Awesome Adam, who you can hire for your kids’ party and comes complete with a fluffy bunny that miraculously appears!
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