Images from left: 4-week-old orphaned black flying-fox, Georgia; Craft sign and a bat puppet made by a Batty Boat crafty kid; Wildlife Queensland volunteers Zai and Jasmine with Peter the boat skipper. Images: Jo Towsey.
3 November 2022
Beautiful warm weather greeted a boat full of excited passengers at this year’s Batty Boat Halloween Cruise on 30 October 2022. A fun, spooky night was enjoyed by all, and batty prizes were awarded to passengers who dressed in Halloween-themed costumes.
In between scanning the skies for flying-foxes, learning about our super pollinator friends, and munching on some Halloween treats, our crafting table proved popular with 28 crafty kids joining in the fun to make cute bat puppets to take home.
Passengers also got to meet Georgia, an adorable 4-week-old orphaned black flying-fox.
Georgia was found clinging to her deceased mother on powerlines in Lowood, QLD. Though dehydrated, Georgia was still alive, and the amazing Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland (BCRQ) team is giving her wonderful care until she’s released at 15 weeks.
“Sadly, we lose a lot of flying-foxes due to powerlines, but the babies often survive,” says Bat Conservation & Rescue QLD president Mel Brennan.”
4-week-old orphaned black flying-fox, Georgia; Passengers Kate and Isabelle enjoying the Batty Boat Halloween Cruise. Images by Isabelle.
New BCRQ member Isabelle said the Batty Boat Cruise was the perfect way to end her birthday/Halloween weekend and meeting baby Georgia and her carers was the highlight of the cruise.
“We loved the cruise and plan to attend the next one. The bat commentary really enhanced our enjoyment of the flyover, and it was brilliant to learn about the behaviours and ecological importance of flying-foxes,” said Isabelle.
“Meeting baby Georgia and her carers from Bat Conservation and Rescue QLD was the absolute highlight of the cruise.”
If you ‘missed the boat’ in October, never fear! Our November Batty Boat Cruise is here!
Batty Boat ‘Spring into Summer’ Cruise – 20 November 2022
Enjoy warm late spring breezes and learn all about local flying-foxes on our Batty Boat ‘Spring into Summer’ Brisbane River Cruise on Sunday 20 November 2022.
Interact with orphaned baby bats on board and watch these cheeky fruit bats wheel out over the river as you enjoy a beverage or snack from the onboard cafe, while the kids enjoy some batty craft-making activities.
This one-of-a-kind experience will delight young and old. Boarding from 4:45 pm. Boat departs at 5:00 pm and returns at 7:30 pm.
This is our final Batty Boat Cruise for 2022, so don’t miss out! BOOK NOW!
For more information, head to our Batty Boat Cruises web page.