- Dolphin and seal kisses included in entry price
- Kids can even feed the penguins for free
- In pictures: Take a look inside Dolphin Marine Magic
IF you ever paid $25 extra on top of your admission price to hug a seal, you're going to be cranky reading this story.
There is a place in Australia where you can be kissed by a seal, touch a dolphin and feed penguins for free. Well, after you pay the entry price. Once you're inside the kisses are included.
It's called Dolphin Marine Magic and it's in the town of Coffs Harbour, an hour north of Sydney by plane.
The seal who kissed me had scratchy whiskers and fishy breath. His nose was wet like a dog.
News.com.au reporter Alison Godfrey get kissed by a seal at Dolphin Marine Magic Coffs Harbour. Picture: Dolphin Marine Magic Source: No Source
Two minutes later I'm standing in line to be kissed by a dolphin. Looking into the camera I can't help but crack a laugh as the dolphin nudges my cheek. His nose is hard like plastic. It's like banging a Coca-Cola bottle against your cheek. It's one of the weirdest things I have ever felt.
In pictures: Take a look inside Dolphin Marine Magic
During the park's dolphin and seal show there's more opportunities for crowd members to get involved. From feeding seals their lunch to throwing them balls to catch and even cleaning a dolphin's teeth.
Outside the pool area children can experience feeding the little penguins. Standing behind a small barrier the children smile as the penguins waddle up and reach out for their daily fish. My daughter aged two is mesmerised.
Amelie Godfrey, 2, feeds the penguins at Dolphin Marine Magic Coffs Harbour. Picture: Alison Godfrey / news.com.au Source: No Source
Dolphin Marine Magic CEO Paige Sinclair said the smaller nature of the park allows them to offer a more intimate experience.
"I forget what magic happens here every day," Ms Sinclair said.
The one experience that does cost extra is to take a swim with the dolphins. It's not just swimming. The dolphins push you on a body board, give you hugs with their flippers and take you for a ride on their back.
Newcastle Knights players Dane Gagai, Jarrod Mullen and Matt Hilder at Dolphin Marine Magic in Coffs Harbour. Source: Supplied
Opened in 1970 as the Pet Porpoise Pool, the park has the most successful breeding record of the endangered Australian Sea Lion in the world, with less than 12,000 left in the wild. They have successfully rehabilitated and released hundreds of animals, including dolphins, seals, turtles and sea birds back out into the wild.
Ms Sinclair said she hopes that by letting children experience the wonder of caring for these animals they will think critically about caring for the environment.
The animals that are currently at the centre have no chance of release. They simply wouldn't make it.
"We can't send these animals back to the wild, they would die, they would starve to death. We offer a real connection to these animals that will hopefully help little ones to think closely about protecting their environment."
Dolphin Marine Magic is located at Coffs Harbour 558 kms north east of Sydney, about 400kms south of Brisbane and about 320kms south of the Gold Coast.
Admission to the park costs $33 for adults and $17.50 for children older than three. A family pass for two adults and two children costs $95 but you can save 10 per cent if you buy online.
The writer travelled to Coffs Harbour as a guest of Tiger Airways, Novotel Pacific Bay Resort and Coffs Coast Tourism.
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