A former CEO has had a remarkably unusual lifestyle change, operating his own private menagerie in the Gold Coast hinterland.

John Taylor told Sofie Formica he’s never been happier after retiring and looking after the exotic animals on his 8-hectare property in Tamborine.

He is now the custodian of ostriches, water buffalo, pythons, peacocks and camels.

“I looked at the land, and thought what am I going to do with it?”

Press PLAY below to hear how it all came about