Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary is a former zoo at South Bank Parklands, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[1][2] It operated from 1992 to 2005. There were about 700 animals at the sanctuary.[1]
The Sanctuary included a series of educational displays outlining the creation of Australia through Gondwanan times and the evolution of Australian animals. A number of large animated Australian dinosaurs allowed visitors to step back into time.[1]
At the same time as the wildlife sanctuary, there was a Butterfly House (later renamed as the Butterfly and Insect House), as well as canals and bridges and launches.[1]
The Sanctuary went into receivership in 1993 due to the cost over runs[4] caused due to a lack of access to the site during a very wet construction period. In January, 1998, Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary was closed down and the animals relocated. The site is now occupied by stores, a rainforest walk and green space; the Sanctuary was located approximately at the site of today's Riverside Green.[5][6]
In April 1998, the Butterfly and Insect House was renamed as South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary, with the introduction of other wildlife.[7] In the latter half of 2005, the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary was closed and dismantled and an office and retail store were built on the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary's former location. Also removed from South Bank Parklands are most canals, bridges and launches.
^"Queensland Parliament"(PDF). Queensland Parliament Hansard. 3 December 1993. Archived(PDF) from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
^"Gondwana"(PDF). Natureworks. Archived(PDF) from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
^"Hopes High On Wildlife". Southern News. Brisbane, Australia. 16 April 1998. p. 3. Archived from the original on 24 March 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2014.