Walk on the wild side with your toddler. Visit Shark and Ray Gardens for a fun and educational animal experience where you can safely pat and feed sharks and stingrays.
Key Details
Address: 49-51 Beenleigh Redland Bay Road, Loganholme QLD 4129
Time from Ormeau HQ: 15 minutes (17.6km)
Contacts: 0479 001 216 Facebook Instragram
Hours: Open Thursday to Sunday from 10.45am to 2pm (Outside School Holidays)
For over 10 years Paul and the Shark and Ray Gardens team have been educating the public about sharks and rays by letting visitors get hands-on with these amazing animals.
Shark and Ray Gardens offer a unique, interactive and educational experience. Kids (toddlers included) and adults can enjoy patting, playing and even being in the water with Sharks and Stingrays.
An hour-long interaction and talk give visitors the choice of sitting right up next to the landscaped gardens where the coolest fish in the world will swim up to them for a hello and a pat or you can get into your swimmers and stand in knee- to waist-deep water with sharks and rays for a wetter and more interactive experience.
Shark and Ray Gardens Location:
Shark and Ray Garden’s is literally just off the M1, located in the ground of Nielsens’s Native Nursery on Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road at Loganholme.
If you book an experience at The Shark and Ray Gardens set aside some extra time to wander the grounds of the a great nursery and discover brightly coloured statues, beautiful plants, stone possums in the trees, birds and watch dragons that run freely around the gardens.
There is also an onsite marine aquarium shop filled with loads of Nemos, dories and lots more.
If you’re in need of a coffee or snack there is a quaint cafe set in the heart of the nursery.
When you come through the main entrance of Nielsens’s Nursery stay on the path to the right, past the Marine Mates aquarium shop and continue on the path until you reach the gate to the Shark and Ray Gardens.
Session Times:
Standard Session Times: Thursday-Sunday: 10.50am, 11.50am, 12.50pm, 1.50pm
Christmas School Holiday Times: Tue-Sun: 10.50am, 11.50am, 12.50pm, 1.50pm
School Holidays Times (outside Christmas) Mon-Sun: 10.50am, 11.50am, 12.50pm, 1.50pm
Pricing:
Stand Entry Prices for The Shark and Ray Gardens are Family = $95, Adult = $35, or Child = $25.
If you make a purchase from Nielsen’s Native Nursery, Marine Mates or Lorikeet’s Cafe you will receive a discounted entry of Family = $75, Adult = $25, or Child = $15.
Family packages are for 2 Adults and 2 Children. Child tickets valid for under 12s.
What to Bring:
No wet suits or waders provided; customers need to bring own swimwear.
There are changing rooms if required, definitely bring hats and towels.
For the care of the marine life no sunscreen can be applied on arms or legs if you are participating in the animal interaction.
For warmer days make sure you take along some drinking water for your visit.
Toddler Review
Shark and Ray Gardens offer a unique marine experience like no other. They offer a pat and play aquarium experience where you can interact with nurse sharks and stingrays.
The environment is suitable for adults and toddlers alike.
How immersed and interactive an experience with the sharks and rays is completely up to you and your toddlers’ bravery levels!
You have the option to stay high and dry whilst patting the marine life poolside or get wet and jump with two feet in (literally).
I think I have told you in the past, I am not raising the bravest of toddlers so poolside was the best option for us.
Paul and his team make this experience! They are friendly, passionate about what they do and try and make you feel as comfortable as possible, especially when it comes to getting your toddler involved and interacting. There is no pressure and the team help your little one relax into the whole experience one step at a time.
If you are looking for a present idea for that toddler that has everything or just a unique experience to enjoy with your toddler, I highly recommend Shark and Ray Gardens at Loganholme.
Remember to allow extra time for your visit to experience everything that Nielsen’s Native Nursery has to offer including the marine aquarium shop and cafe.
We have a number of Nurseries on the Fun Things for Toddlers places to visit and I am always surprised just how much my toddlers gets out of a visit to a great nursery and Nielsen’s is one of the great ones!
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