SYDNEY WILDLIFE WORLD
Reporter: TOM JORDAN
It’s school holidays and here’s a great way to take the kids around Australia … all in one day! Sydney Wildlife World allows you to have a real Aussie adventure without having to travel around the country. Visit the hot, dry red centre of Australia then trek through the lush rainforest canopy ... all before lunch!
This is a great day to spend a day – the kids will love it!
There is over 7000m2 and 2 floors of exhibits where you will see over 6,000 animals living in their 9 natural habitats and ecosystems. Two of these are the Semi Arid Grasslands and the Reptile Habitat.
Semi Arid Grasslands
The Semi Arid Grassland exhibit is also known as Red Heart, and it is modelled on the famous dry inlands of Australia. This is the largest of all the exhibits, spanning 50 metres in length.
It depicts a quintessentially hot and dry Australian landscape, which is what most people think of when they hear the words “Australian Outback” – which is right since over 80% of Australia is considered arid or semi-arid, making Australia the driest continent on earth.
Although this harsh environment may appear dead and hostile, if you take a closer look you will actually see an abundance of animals, including bandicoot, wallabies and echidnas all thriving successfully in this waterless environment.
The Semi Arid Grassland exhibit is currently heated to 35 degrees to replicate the Red Centre of Australia.
Reptile Habitat
The Reptile Habitat or Scales and Tails as it is known, is a series of reptile exhibits including snakes, dragons and lizards. Featured animals include Bearded Dragons, Thorny Devils, Frilled Neck Lizards, Geckos and Skinks. You can also see the Scrub Python which is the largest snake in Australia.
Interesting Reptile Trivia
Did you know that there is a greater variety of reptile species in Australia than on any other continent? Australia has 840 known species! This is an unusually high number, especially in comparison to North America which is a similar sized land mass, but which supports only 280 reptile species.
Not only does Australia have a large variety of reptiles, but approximately 90% of Australia’s reptiles are found nowhere else on earth.
Bird Sanctuary/Bird Training Demonstration
With over 80 birds flying around the two storey flight canyon there is always something to see. Whether it’s the brush turkey foraging around the canopy floor for insects and seeds or the male Satin Bowerbird building his beautiful blue nest to lure the females, there is always some fascinating bird activity to be seen in this habitat.
Now visitors can meet some of Australia’s intriguing and endangered birds in the brand new Bird Training Demonstration Shows, which occur every day at 11am and 3pm in the Conservation area, at the upper level of the Butterfly Habitat.
Koala Sanctaury
The Koala Sanctuary habitat is an example of a temperate forest, one that grows north or south of a tropical rainforest and is mainly home to deciduous trees that drop their leaves in autumn and remain in a dormant state until spring time.
Extending from the temperate south to the tropical north, koalas are found in a range of habitats such as coastal islands, tall eucalypt forests and woodlands along eastern Australia. Koalas are found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. They are very fussy eaters and prefer different types of gum leaves. In Australia there are over 600 types of eucalypts, but koalas will not eat many of these. Within a particular area, as few as one, and generally no more than two or three species of eucalypt will be regularly eaten. Different species of eucalypts grow in different parts of Australia, so a koala in Victoria would have a very different diet from one in Queensland.
Did you know that despite popular lore, koalas aren’t actually drunk on eucalyptus? The only way an animal can survive on a diet so low in nutrients is to waste little energy on a big brain or an active lifestyle. This is why you will often see koalas sleeping.
The Koala Sanctuary is also home to other fascinating animals such as the Rufous Bettong, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Tammar Wallaby and more.
Koala Interactive Area
Ever wanted to get up close and personal with a Koala? Well, now you can! Sydney Wildlife World has just opened up their brand new Koala interactive area.
Come up to the roof top Koala habitat and see the cute Koalas doing what they do best. Not only will you be able to see and take photos of the Koalas from the public viewing area, you can get your photo taken with one!
Roving Rangers
Sydney Wildlife World has lots of roving rangers who wander around with all sorts of interesting animals for visitors to meet.
More Information
Sydney Wildlife World
Aquarium Pier, Darling Harbour
Telephone: (02) 9333 9288
www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au
Open from 9am to 10pm every day
Special Sydney Weekender Deal
Log onto the Sydney Wildlife World website - www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au – and get your 15% off voucher.
*valid until 31/5/07
Tourist Attractions Association Special Deals
School holidays are just around the corner and thanks to the Tourist Attractions Association we’re getting in early with a couple of deals…
Sydney Royal Easter Show
The 2007 Sydney Royal Easter Show kicks off this Thursday and the easiest way to get there is with a ShowLink ticket. It’s got your travel and entry covered at just $31 for adults and $21.50 for the kids. For more info log onto www.cityrail.info
Sydney Tower Restaurant
And treat the family to the international buffet at Sydney Tower Restaurant. Tell ‘em the Whit’s sent you and you’ll save 20%. The offer is good until the end of June, but you gotta book and pay by next Thursday. Call them on (02) 8223 3800.
Valid 10/4/07 – 30/6/07
Tourist Attractions Association
www.taa.asn.au
Prices correct as at 31/03/07