One doesn’t have to go Down Under to get your fill of the Outback. See the world’s largest collection of kangaroos outside of Australia right in Dawsonville, Georgia! The Kangaroo Conservation Center has 300 kangaroos of nine species. They’ve been breeding these marsupials for over 24 years and have a lot of them to show for it! The center has had plenty of media coverage including features done by "Good Morning America," and the "New York Times."
The Kangaroo Conservation Center is the brainchild of Roger and Debbie Nelson who are the founders, owners and directors of this unique facility. They have extensive educational backgrounds in the arts and sciences and wanted to do more to help protect and conserve animals. This propelled them to start KCC in the early 1980′s. It began as a private exotic animal breeding center known as Nelson’s Twin Oaks Farm. They didn’t start with kangaroos. In fact, their early collection included all sorts of antelopes, deer and birds. They also started the most successful captive breeding program in American zoos for an African rodent called the Springhaas. From the beginning, this wonderful place has been supported by their own personal financial resources. Recently, admission fees and the gift shop have brought in a steady income.
In addition to kangaroos, the center also has sugar gliders, pigeons, parrots and various reptiles. Not only that, but some of these Australasian birds and reptiles are quite rare. You’ll probably never see these in the wild…especially not in Georgia! All of this is set on 87 acres of prime northern Georgia mountainous land. This place is filled to the brim with native and exotic plants ready to explore should you decide on a walk or a hike. There is even a boomerang exhibit! It is important that visitors be able to walk a quarter mile comfortably so that they can see all that this place has to offer. Loose clothing is highly recommended.
The conservation center offers two tours. The first is called the Aussie Adventure. It is $30 for adults and $25 for children aged 6 to 17. Because of insurance regulations, the facility cannot allow children under six years-old to visit. The Aussie Adventure includes access to exhibits, walking trails and the Boomerang Exhibition. It also includes a KangaRanger truck ride and the Wild Australia show. The "Wander Down Under" Tour is $18 for everyone and doesn’t include the Wild Australia Show or the KangaRanger truck ride.
The Kangaroo Conservation Center is about an hour and a half from Atlanta. Full directions (both written and map versions) can be found at KangarooCentre.com or by calling 706-265-6100. Tours can be booked online quickly and easily.