DESPITE meeting all the criteria, it looked like Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World had been overlooked for a share of $94.6 million in COVID-19 financial assistance. 

But now they are hopeful of relief after yesterday receiving a letter of support enabling them to apply for the Australian Government Zoos & Aquaria program. 

General Manager Gareth Shipp said it had been a trying time for the business which was not initially on the list despite “literally every single other bird park, aquarium and zoo in Queensland making the list” including a bird park about a third the size of the Maleny attraction.

“I was just dumbfounded by it because we’re actually the number one paid attraction on TripAdvisor for the whole Sunshine Coast. The entire Sunshine Coast.”

Gareth said his father, Frank Shipp, was devastated at having to dip into his savings to keep his dream running after restrictions shut his business down in March.  “He’s put 100 percent of his capital, everything into the business,” said Gareth.

The attraction opened in 2012 and covers 18 acres. Gareth said his father’s dream began when he was growing up in South Africa. “Where he lived, there used to be a bird park down the road. And he used to do everything in his power to go down the bird park every weekend, to go and play with the birds. And ever since then he’s wanted his own bird park.

“What you see behind me used to be just flat cow paddocks. So every single hill, bump, stone, flower, water feature, tree and rock has been put in by hand — every single thing you see there.”

The Bird World component of the destination was added in 2014 and now attracts 80 percent of all visitors. “People really love that hands-on interaction. You’re not looking at animals behind the cage. You walk in to one of our aviaries and you’re covered in ten macaws.

“We’ve also got the best views on the Coast. You can see Brisbane City from here.” 

The gardens attracted 70,000 visitors to Maleny last year.  “Before COVID-19, we had a lot of plans including two 150 seater decks going in. We just got approval from Council to build another 10 toilets. All of that’s been cancelled.”

Gareth said it was reassuring to see crowds return when they reopened Saturday. Most of the birds at the attraction are rescued or donated. 

• The attraction is at 233 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny. Phone 5344 0010.