in Cave City, Kentucky

and surrounding areas

Kentucky Down Under is a hands-on, interactive, learning adventure that provides an introduction to Australian history, and culture, and animals. The admittance fee includes a Tour of Kentucky Caverns, an active cave where guides interpret the geology of karst areas and the importance of protecting caves and ground water. Cave temperatures remain about 60º year round.

Even though the two RV Gypsies have been to Australia, they found this to be an interesting place.

Below: The two RV Gypsies as they first entered Kentucky Down Under. Karen Duquette thought it appropriate to wear her Australia shirt and hat that she purchased when actually in Australia. One of the workers actually tried to get Karen to give him her Australia hat. NO WAY!

The first stop of the two RV Gypsies in Kentucky Down Under was in the aviary Terra Rosella. An interpreter provided each of the two RV Gypsies with a cup of seed to hand feed the colorful budgies as they flew all around the area. However, the birds were not very hungry at this time.

The Bird Garden had some of Australia's most unique birds, each in their own large cage. This was a self guided tour with no time limit.

Kookaburra - SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dacelo novaeguineae

RANGE: The Laughing Kookaburra is endemic to the forests and woodlands of eastern Australia.

HABITAT: This Kookaburra dwells in open forests, and woodlands, predominantly old growth forests that have hollows or where termites build nests in trees.

* The call of the Kookaburra sounds like crazy laughter.
* Kookaburras hop instead of walk.
* Kookaburras will even take on venomous snakes.
* They fly in zig-zag patterns to protect their territories.
* Kookaburras build nests in hollow trees.
* They pound their prey against rocks or logs to tenderize it.

* The Papuan Frogmouth secretes a substance in its mouth that attracts flies.
* It often simply sits on a branch with its huge mouth open, and flies enter of their own accord to investigate the source of a promising odor.
* Gaping at potential predators and a hissing sound are part of their defense mechanisms.
* It also uses its large beak to make a loud clopping sound to deter large predators such as cats.
* With their nocturnal habit and owl-like appearance Frogmouths are often confused with owls, but are actually related to the nightjars.
* Their feet are weak and lack the curved talons of owls.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Podargus papuensis

RANGE: The Papuan Frogmouth is confined to the Cape York Peninsula in Australia, New Guinea and parts of Indonesia.

HABITAT: It occurs in rainforests, mangroves and dense riparian vegetation.

The Land of Lories is a giant enclosure that houses stunning, colorful lorikeets. An interpreter at the entrance gave each of the two RV Gypsies a cup of nectar to feed the Lories. Once inside the enclosure, the two RV Gypsies held the nectar cup out, and the brilliant, inquisitive birds landed on their heads, shoulders and arms to help themselves to the nectar cup until it is all gone. There was also a mister (spray of water) there which was definitely needed on this hot day.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trichoglossus haematodus [moluccanus]

RANGE: They live in the northeastern coast of Australia, around to Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, the Pacific islands, Papua-New Guinea and Indonesia.

COOL FACTS:

* Their tongues are shaped like a brush to collect nectar.
* Rainbow Lorikeets sleep on one leg unless they are ill.
* They pollinate many of the flowering plants in Australia.
* Rainbow Lorikeets can live to be over 20 years.
* Rainbow Lorikeets preen each other while resting and travel to food sites in large groups.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Macropus rufus

RANGE: From the central western Australian coast to the western side of the Great Dividing range.

HABITAT: Most often the dry arid areas.

COOL FACTS:

* Male Red Kangaroos are twice the size of females.
* Macropus rufus means "big foot" and "red" in Latin.
* Kangaroos can't walk backwards.
* Red Kangaroos are the largest of the kangaroos.
* Female Red Kangaroos are also known as blue fliers.
* Red Kangaroos like to live in groups.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dromcaeus, novaehollandiae

RANGE: Throughout Australia, except for the tropical rainforests.

HABITAT: They inhabit open grasslands, savannas (grasslands with some trees) and sclerophyll forests in the Australian bush.

COOL FACTS:

* Emus can live up to 30 years.
* Emus can run up to 37 miles an hour.
* Emus need to drink 2 to 4 gallons of water per day.
* Emus have 3 toes.
* They are ratites, flightless birds.
* Adult Emus can stand 5 to 6 feet tall and they can weigh 150 pounds.

The Woolshed gives a 45-minute presentation about life on a working sheep station and a few of the guests get to milk a cow, or feed the lambs. (The two RV Gypsies did both at a real working farm in Australia). Here at Kentucky Down Under, there is a parade of rams - nine different kinds of rams take the stage while the interpreter explains what's different about each breed, and what their different wools are used for.

Camp Corroboree - In Australian Aboriginal culture, a Corroboree is a gathering, much like a Native American Pow Wow. At Kentucky Down Under, the Camp Corroboree introduces the Aboriginal culture. At the Dog Herding Demo, border collies and their experienced handlers work a flock of sheep in an open field. The audience is invited to participate in daily chores. A display of various breeds of rams is included.

Gem Mining -- Students discover genuine gemstones as they sift their bag of sand in the water sluice. Available by prior arrangement at a cost of $3.00 per student.