CQU Gold Coast students were welcomed to Term 3 with an Australian wildlife presentation.

Students had the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and get up close and personal with a variety of native species.

'Mimi' the 2m spotted python evoked squeals of delight and fear. She was passed around the crowd, giving whomever was game enough, the opportunity to feel the wonderful cool, smooth skin.

Students ‘smiled at a crocodile', nursed a beautiful little sugar glider and had their photos taken with a blue tongued lizard, bearded dragon, frilled neck lizard and a shy stumpy tailed lizard.

GCIC students had a unique opportunity to learn about and handle some wonderful Australian fauna while enjoying pizza under the trees in the beautiful campus grounds.

This experience was captured in plenty of fantastic photos taken by resident photographer Daniel Nieva (alias State IT manager) which are probably being sent to families and friends all over the world!