Page 210 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

208  NE W SOUTH W ALES AND A C T

summit of Black including koalas, wombats,
Mountain. The tower dingoes, fairy penguins,
houses state-of-the- Tasmanian devils, emus and
art communications kangaroos. As well as the native
equipment, such residents of the zoo there are
as television trans- many favourites from all over
mitters and cellular the world, including several big
phone bases. The cats (the zoo has the largest
tower also features collection of big cats in the
an exhibition on the country), primates, two giraffes
history of telecom- and African antelopes.
munications in The zoo also organizes
Australia, from its “Meet a Cheetah” encounters.
first telegraph wire Under the supervision of a
in Victoria in 1854 keeper, you will enter the
to the 21st century. cheetah enclosure and
There are three actually be able to touch
viewing platforms and pat the animals. For even
at different levels more close encounters, there
offering spectacular is the two-hour ZooVenture
360° views of tour, which would appeal to
Canberra and the those animal lovers who want
Rock Garden section of the Australian National surrounding country- to enjoy a more hands-on
Botanic Gardens side. There is also a revolving behind-the-scenes kind of
restaurant. In 1989, Black experience. Both this tour
9Australian Mountain Tower, as it was and “Meet a Cheetah” have
National Botanic originally called, was made a age and height restrictions,
Gardens member of the World Federation and must be booked well
of Great Towers, which includes
ahead of your visit.
Clunies Ross St, Acton. Tel (02) 6250 such buildings as the Empire
9588. Open 8:30am–5pm daily. State Building in New York.
Closed 25 Dec. 7 8 - wAustralian
∑ anbg.gov.au Institute of Sport
qNational Zoo
On the slopes of Black and Aquarium Leverrier Crescent, Bruce. Tel (02)
Mountain, the Australian 6214 1010. @ 7, 980. Open for tours
National Botanic Gardens hold Lady Denman Drive, Scrivener Dam. only: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm
the finest scientific collection Tel (02) 6287 8400. Open 9:30am– daily. Closed 25 & 26 Dec. &
5pm daily. Closed 25 Dec. & 7
7 8 obligatory.
of native plants in the country. 8 by arrangement. - = ∑ experienceais.com
Approximately 90,000 plants ∑ nationalzoo.com.au
of more than 5,000 species Australian Olympic athletes
are featured in its displays. A wonderful collection of are often on hand to show
The Rainforest Gully, one of Australia’s fish, from native visitors around the world-
the most popular attractions, freshwater river fish to class Australian Institute
features plants from the rain- brilliantly coloured cold of Sport (AIS). This is
forests of eastern Australia. sea, tropical and coral the national centre of
One fifth of the nation’s species are on display Australia’s sports efforts.
eucalypt species are found in the National Zoo Here you can see where
on the Eucalypt Lawn. The and Aquarium. This is the athletes sleep, train
Aboriginal Trail is a self-guided Australia’s only and eat. You can see
walk that details how Aborigines combined zoo and how your fitness levels
have utilized plants over aquarium. There are compare and test your
thousands of years. about 20 aquariums sporting skills. There is
on show, including a also an exhibition of
number of smaller interactive sports
0Telstra Tower tanks containing Kangaroo in the displays, the Sportex
Black Mountain Drive, Acton. freshwater and marine National Zoo exhibition, which
Tel 1800 806 718 or (02) 6219 6120. animals. They have includes themes such
Open 9am–10pm daily. & 7 - some eight different species of as “Heroes and Legends” and
∑ telstratower.com.au shark on display. “How do you measure up?”
The 9-ha (22-acre) landscaped Athletes can take visitors on
Known affectionately by locals grounds of the adjacent Zoo guided tours around the
as “the giant syringe”, Telstra have excellent displays of amazing facilities. A shop and
soars 195 m (640 ft) above the numerous native animals a café are also open to visitors.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p485 and pp510–11