Page 22 - Holidays with Kids - Volume 62 (January 2020)

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Best animal

attractions

1 Australia Zoo
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Coming in at first once again, Australia Zoo promises an Bindi Irwin © Australia Zoo
immersive wildlife experience. This 28-hectare wildlife
oasis hosts over 1,000 native and exotic animals including 1
elephants, cheetahs, rhinos and, of course, crocodiles. On
top of the incredible animal exhibits and shows (the
midday Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show is a highlight),
the Zoo Keeper for a Day program, which runs each
school holidays, is not to be missed as it allows budding
wildlife keepers to get up close with their favourite 4 Taronga Western Plains Zoo
animals. australiazoo.com.au Dubbo, NSW
5 National Zoo & Aquarium
2 Taronga Zoo Canberra, ACT
Sydney, NSW
Jump on a ferry from Sydney’s CBD, and 12 minutes later 6 SEA LIFE Sydney
you’ll be at Taronga Zoo. With more than 350 species Sydney, NSW
calling the zoo home, there’s sure to be something for
everyone. From cheeky chimpanzees to adorable otters, 6 Werribee Open Range Zoo
tiny meerkats to enormous elephants, Taronga Zoo has Werribee, VIC
more than 4,000 animals. Jump on the Sky Safari cable
car for a bird’s-eye view of a number of animal enclosures, 7 Perth Zoo
as well as spectacular city views. Highlights throughout Perth, WA
the day are the Seal Show and the QBE Free Flight Bird
Show. taronga.org.au 8 SEA LIFE Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
3 Melbourne Zoo 9 Currumbin Wildlife
Melbourne, VIC Sanctuary
Melbourne Zoo’s huge menagerie of animals means that Currumbin, QLD
Melburnians won’t miss out on the zoo action either. Free
keeper talks on a number of species are a must for your 10 Australian Reptile Park
day’s itinerary, along with visits to creatures great and Gosford, NSW
small – from butterflies and baboons to elephants and
giraffes. And the little ones aren’t left out either: aspiring
zookeepers, vets, horticulturists or researchers will love Highly commended
the Keeper Kids indoor play area, which has dress-ups and
toys for role playing. zoo.org.au/Melbourne Symbio Wildlife Park,
Healesville Sanctuary

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