Another tourist question

[dwyman]

Has anyone visited the new Sydney Wildlife World at Darling Harbour? We'll be in Oz in October and would like to know if it's worth it.

Don W

[norm]

Hi Don,

I went there around March this year and must admit, was pleasantly surprised how good it was. I didn't think they could cram in so much, but once inside there are quite a few things to see. However, you do need to realise its only Australian fauna - don't expect to see Elephants!.

We were there for about 2-3hrs and got our monies worth.
Highlights :

Butterfly enclosure
Snakes/reptiles
Australian marsupials.

The Sydney Aquarium is next door and that too is pretty amazing. I would also put it on the agenda. Just don't go there when its our school holidays, the line-up and crowd will test you!!!

If you want an overall experience, Taronga zoo maybe the way to go and make sure you catch a ferry from Circular Quay to get there. They've got cable cars so you get a birds eye perspective of the zoo and scenery. That will make a nice day out.

btw: If I had to choose between the 1st 2, or latter, it would be tough. Both offer different experiences and you wouldn't be disappointed either way.

[Outbackmanyep]

Expect long line-ups!
I went to the Oyster Bar on the waterfront at darling harbour a few weeks ago...NO TOOHEYS OLD So i hope you like Kilkenny or Guiness!

[dwyman]

I don't mind a Coopers or even a VB, but the dark beers are what I ask for first.

Thanks for the response, Norm. We have something called the Sydney Smartvisit Card that gives us admission to a ton of attractions including the three you listed. There are several other 'wildlife' parks listed too such as Featherdale and the Koala Park. I can see elefunks at the zoos here in Wisconsin. We want to see Aussie creatures.

When we were in Oz in 2005, we stopped in Gunnedah, the Koala Capital of the World. Or so the signs said. The visitors center gave us maps to find the fuzzy little buggers. We spend several hours hunting high and low but didn't see nary a one. This time we're going to see one or know why.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Don,

I consulted with my two boys (age 6 and 9) that have been to all of the exhibits in question (Taronga Zoo, Wildlife World and Sydney Aquarium)...

Their consensus is that they were all nice to visit but their clear favorite was the Taronga Zoo. While refusing to "poor mouth" any of the venues, it was their opinion that a trip to the Taronga Zoo offered more...

They elaborated by mentioning the ferry ride from Circular Quay to the zoo plus more space at the zoo to play, as well as more to see and do like the overhead cable cars, kangaroo enclosure, food kiosks with ice cream (especially important to my growing kids) heavily influenced their preference.

They mentioned that their Wildlife World visit felt more "confined" (as it would having a much smaller footprint at Darling Harbour)...

They again concluded that either of those attractions listed would make for a fun visit and that you would not go far wrong at any of them...

Safe Travels...

[dwyman]

Taronga is highly rated and nicely situated for a day 'out'.

Thanks

[Outbackmanyep]

Originally Posted by dwyman

I.

When we were in Oz in 2005, we stopped in Gunnedah, the Koala Capital of the World. Or so the signs said. The visitors center gave us maps to find the fuzzy little buggers. We spend several hours hunting high and low but didn't see nary a one. This time we're going to see one or know why.

Best to find them at night with a spotlight, their eyes glow like a pale gold colour, like deer except a little fainter.......when i go hunting (not koalas though,hehe) the spotlighting arm gets a little tired , the light starts to wind its way into the trees and thats how i've found 90% of them! hehe
They grunt too when you get close to them!

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by dwyman

When we were in Oz in 2005, we stopped in Gunnedah, the Koala Capital of the World. Or so the signs said. The visitors center gave us maps to find the fuzzy little buggers. We spend several hours hunting high and low but didn't see nary a one. This time we're going to see one or know why.

When I was last there I saw one in a tree at the hospital and nearly ran one over on the main road to Narrabri.
Having said that we had one with a baby on it's back on my driveway late last year so I don't see the need to drive all the way to Gunnedah.