If you love animals big and small, then head to Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium this winter for a unique opportunity to connect with the wonders of the natural world. As Australia’s only combined zoo and aquarium, you can enjoy two attractions in one as you explore over 47 acres of land, get up close and personal with over 200 native and exotic animals, and experience the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia.
Here’s what you can see and do at the National Zoo and Aquarium this winter.
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Animal lovers will be thrilled to meet some of the world’s most amazing creatures with countless experiences on offer this season. If you’re a Cheetah lover, you can meet a gorgeous baby cub, get close to a fully grown Cheetah, take a Cheetah for a walk, or have an immersive experience in a Cheetah enclosure. If you love Lemurs, you can go into the enclosure and meet the Ruff Lemur family where you can feed and cuddle them.
If you’re after something a little more adventurous, you can have a close encounter with a Sun Bear, go behind the scenes and become acquainted with Eco or Ubuntu the Rhinos, or feed a White Lion with one of the zoo’s experienced keepers. There are also interactive experiences with Tree Kangaroos, Giraffes, Tigers, Meerkats, Red Pandas or the Barking Owl siblings, Rocco and Ruby.
Photography by Dmitry Chernyshov
AWESOME ROARSOME TOUR
On the Awesome Roarsome Tour you can expect to come face to face with some of the world’s most dangerous and endangered animals. You can look forward to feeding a Serval, Tiger, Bear, Hyena and maybe even some Leopards! There’s also an opportunity to touch a Python and meet the adorable Meerkats and Otters. This interactive animal tour is held early in the day to maximise your chances of seeing the zoo animals being active.
AFRICAN SAVANNAH SAFARI
The African Savannah Safari is an interactive tour that will take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the amazing animals of Africa and beyond. Be prepared to feed a Giraffe, pat a Rhino, and spend some time with Zebras, Lemurs, Cheetahs, and the Siamang Ape family. This tour is a must-do for the whole family.
Photography by Hugo Herrera
JAMALA WILDLIFE LODGE
If you want to take your zoo experience to the next level, then spend a night or two at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge. This world-class luxury hotel will show you the zoo from a whole new perspective, bringing you up close and personal with some of the most dangerous and endangered species on earth. There are three individually designed five-star accommodation options including the Ushaka Lodge, Giraffe Treehouses and Jungle Bungalows each with their own unique wildlife experience.
WONDERS OF WILDLIFE
The Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) tour is the ultimate all-day wildlife experience. This fun and educational experience will give you an insider’s look into the conservation of many of the larger and more dangerous animals at the zoo. The tour includes encounters with Rhinos and Meerkats, providing enrichment for Tree Kangaroos, visiting the off-display Reptile collection, seeing a Cheetah up close, hiding breakfast for the Sun Bears, designing food puzzles for the Monkeys to solve, meeting the amazing Giraffes, as well as feeding Lions, Tigers and Bears!
WILD NIGHT ZOOVENTURE
The Wild Night ZooVenture evening tour is one of the best experiences the National Zoo and Aquarium has to offer. This nighttime adventure includes a meet and greet with the animals at the Viewing Park, a guided tour to see the wildlife with your very own driver and special tour vehicle – think Hummers and Can-Ams – plus a hayride for the kids. Enjoy two “African Sundowner” canape and drink stops in front of the animals, as well as dinner in the Viewing Park.
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