| How Did Kangaroos End Up in Kentucky | Contact Us | Employment Opportunities | Press Room | Terms of Use |

How Did Kangaroos End Up in Kentucky? -

In 1990, the special interests of two outgoing individuals came together to create a unique attraction in central Kentucky. In that year, Bill and Judy Austin opened Kentucky Down Under to the public. Bill and Judy first met in New Zealand in the late 1960s. Judy, a native Australian, was working as a physical therapist on the island, while Bill, an engineer with the National Science Foundation, was preparing for an expedition to Antarctica.

In time, the two married and moved to Washington, D.C., but stayed there only a few years before deciding to move to Horse Cave, Bill’s hometown. Back home again, Bill became manager of Mammoth Onyx Cave (which was later renamed Kentucky Caverns), which his grandfather had purchased in the 1920s. Throughout the years, peacocks and other small animals had been added to the park for visitors to enjoy on the surface in-between cave tours. Bill and Judy observed how much their guests like these animals, and this encouraged them to add others. They started by adding a herd of American bison in the 1970s, followed by the Australian animals in 1990, and Kentucky Down Under was born.

We want to hear from you and always welcome you comments, questions and suggestions. Here is how to reach the Kentucky Down Under Staff:

Employment Opportunities -

Kentucky Down Under is always accepting applications for qualified, hard working people to be a part of our TEAM!
For full consideration, please download a Kentucky Down Under Employment Application, fill it out and mail to:

Karin Barnes
Personnel Manager
PO Box 189
Horse Cave, KY 42749

Electronic submissions and resumes can be sent to: Karin Barnes at karin@kdu.com

Press Room -

For Media Information Please Contact

Melissa McGuire
1-800-762-2869 or (270) 786-2634
melissa@kdu.com

Watch a short video about Kentucky Down Under produced by the Hart County Tourism Commission - called Adventures in Hart County.

Check back often for updated information.

Terms of Use -
We want you to feel confident in dealing with us on the Internet and regard the security of your personal information as a priority. Only specific employees in our customer service and marketing have access to your personal information.

It is the policy of Kentucky Down Under (KDU) that personal information, such as your name, personal postal and E-mail address, or personal telephone number is private and confidential. By using our web site, you consent to the terms of our privacy policy for the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information for the purposes set out below. We do not collect, use or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than those identified below, except with your consent or as required by law.

Personal information, such as your name, personal postal and E-mail address, or personal telephone number is collected only when you voluntary provide it. Such information is received when you send an E-mail through the site or make some other specified contact, such as completing an online form.

The personal information you provide to KDU is forwarded only to the person or department equipped to handle your request and is used only to respond to your inquiry.

Personal information will not be sold to any third parties, nor will such information be added to bulk E-mail lists. The only exception is to provide you with information about the South Central Kentucky region when you are requesting information about Kentucky Down Under. If you receive marketing offers, subscriptions or newsletters from KDU and do not wish to receive them in the future, please ensure you contact us immediately.

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or wish to update any of the personal information you have provided to us, contact us at info@kdu.com.

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy please note that all content and information contained in this Web site is provided to you on an "as is," "as available" basis without any warranty of any kind. Kentucky Down Under makes no representations about the suitability, reliability, availability, timeliness, or accuracy of this Web site for any purpose. Kentucky Down Under does not represent or warrant that the information contained in this Web site will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that the Web pages or the server that makes it available are free of viruses or other harmful components. For the most up to date information, please call 270-786-2634.