DAWSONVILLE, Ga.- With a combination of national publicity and an influx of "staycationers" during a summer filled with high gas prices through the region, the Kangaroo Conservation Center's mid-season admission total is up 45 percent over this time one year ago.
Attractions nationwide saw only a 2 percent average increase in admissions as a whole.
A 10-minute feature story and in-studio appearance by founders/directors Roger and Debbie Nelson, along with a few selected marsupials, on NBC-TV's "Today" show on July 10 fueled an immediate increase in bookings by phone and online through www.kangaroocenter.com and gift shop business for the KCC.
Families throughout Georgia have learned that the KCC as a "staycation" option as part of one-day or one-tank trips to Northeast Georgia destinations.
"We've had so many first-time visitors this season and they have fallen into one of two categories: out-of-towners who saw our 'Today' show story and added the Kangaroo Center to their Atlanta vacations, and Georgia families that got both educational and entertainment value convenient to home," Debbie Nelson said.
The Kangaroo Conservation Center - selected as "Best Animal Encounter" in Atlanta magazine's Best of Atlanta 2006, profiled by NBC-TV's "Today" show, The New York Times, Smithsonian and Delta Sky magazines and rated "Fodor's Choice" by Fodor's The Carolinas and Georgia, 17th Edition in 2007 - features the largest kangaroo collection outside of Australia.
The staff at the Kangaroo Conservation Center have successfully bred and cared for a dozen different species of marsupials for over 25 years. The KCC, certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is dedicated to the preservation of kangaroo species through captive breeding and public education.
Individuals and tour groups can take the "Aussie Adventure" at the Kangaroo Center - an approximate 90-minute guided tour that consists of a boomerang exhibition, a ride on the "KangaRanger" truck though the park where visitors can view the kangaroos in their natural environment, the "Wild Australia" show in Australia Station where visitors meet the animals up close in an entertaining and educational look at the different species living at the KCC.
Before or after the guided tour, visitors can walk through the "Billabong Encounter" that is home to native Australian birds, mammals and reptiles, walk or hike along the "Aussie Walkabout" to view kangaroo mobs (what groups of kangaroos are called), enjoy the adjacent butterfly picnic garden and follow the trail through "Fern Valley," which is a native Appalachian forest. KCC souvenirs, gifts for friends and family and delicious snacks are available at the "Aussie Outpost." All KCC gifts and souvenirs can also be ordered online year-round at www.kangaroocenter.com.
Sunday
August 24th, 2025
3:19PM
