Beloved: Be charmed by one of the world’s fluffiest marsupials at Sydney Zoo. During a memorable encounter, you will have the chance to hand-feed a koala and pose for a photo. Photos: Supplied.
Pure, wide-eyed wonder. Tiny gazes of unadulterated curiosity. An encounter with mythical giants, furry marsupials and smaller mammals. Pint-sized first-timers. Toddlers experiencing zoo magic. It was an honest observation from an unexpected source — two young grandchildren — that provided a whole new perspective — the first visit, reimagined!
No sooner did a welcoming “ROARsome” invitation land in our mailbox from the Sydney Zoo, alerting us to get up close to awe-inspiring wildlife from all over the world, than we considered revisiting to capture and channel the thrill of such encounters. This offer is valid only until 24 September.
Thanks to this invite, our family adventure turned out amazing! Sydney Zoo is home to more than 150 species, including awe-inspiring and endangered ones from all around the planet. Our breathtaking wildlife journey included seeing roaring lions, curious capybaras, diving penguins, slithering snakes and keeper talks throughout the day.
Take a stroll down the African boardwalk, where you’ll see scenes from the savannah in remarkable mixed-species habitats, wander down the leafy primate boulevard, and be mesmerised by the animals of South-East Asia. Get closer to all your favourite Australian natives in a beautiful, open-range habitat where kangaroos and wallabies hop freely around the meandering pathways.
Explore the aquarium and see animals swim and play, or come face-to-face with creatures slithery and scaley in the reptile and nocturnal house, one of the largest in Australia!
Get even closer to the animals with new encounters and the popular mini zookeeper for a day program for children aged eight to 12. Choose your favourite encounter (from the list below) to book online.
Meeting: Feed an adorable meerkat, snap a photo and learn more about these African favourites at Sydney Zoo.
Start by discovering the charm of one of the world’s most beloved marsupials. Designed for ages four and older, this program takes visitors behind the scenes to share in an up-close-and-personal experience with a koala. Join the zookeepers, get hands-on with an Aussie icon and learn what makes koalas unique.
Experience a mob of meerkats at close range, along with majestic camels. See a capybara, the world’s largest rodent, in Sydney’s only encounter where you can feed and pat these mammals. Have thrilling moments with an impressive prehistoric reptile, the crocodile. Go behind the scenes to see the gentle power of the planet’s greatest land mammal, an elephant.
Meet the tallest species on earth, the giants of the savannah — the resident giraffes. Hand-feed the clan of spotted hyenas, Africa’s most misunderstood mammals. Care for a lion encounter? Then feel the power of the pride, join the animal care team and engage with these apex predators.
What makes cheeky quokkas cute and happy? Get within arm’s reach of one of the world’s most elusive species, a fluffy red panda. Meet the big, adorable white rhino. Manually feed a troop of cheeky squirrel monkeys or experience the thrill of hand-feeding a tiger. Select your visit date and book an educational visit to Sydney Zoo.
North-central Victoria, at least the Bendigo region, a vibrant, historic destination renowned for its rich gold rush architecture, thriving arts scene and status as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, will reawaken with Bloom this spring! This annual festival has more than 100 activations and experiences.
Experiences: A highlight of the Bloom program is the iconic Bendigo Annual Tulip Display, now in its 23rd year.
Until the end of October, the region is bursting into colour, offering endless opportunities to connect with nature, get creative and explore some of Victoria’s most picturesque landscapes. A program highlight is the iconic Bendigo Annual Tulip Display, now in its 23rd year. It features thousands of tulips in bloom across four prominent CBD locations, including Rosalind Park and the Conservatory Gardens, from mid-September to early October.
A celebration of spring, creativity and connection, Bloom showcases the best of the Bendigo region, encouraging everyone to explore and observe vernal alchemy. Returning for Bloom this year are wonderful experiences such as Bloom After Dark, Cornella Canola Walk, Village of the Gnomes and Bloomin Good Market.
New events to be launched this year are:
- Bloomin’ Hungry Picnic Packs.
- Petals and Parasol and pick your own flowers at Pure Maiden Farm in October.
- New agritourism events set against a stunning backdrop of canola fields in full golden bloom, Hillcrest Farm, during September and October.
- Until October, nature enthusiasts can indulge in a range of nature-based events and trips such as Kooyoora wildflower tours at Kooyoora State Park, guided walks at Bendigo Botanic Gardens, Wedderburn Open Gardens weekend and the inaugural Bloom in Borough Garden Show at Canterbury Gardens.
- An abundance of cultural tours and events is also on offer, including First Nations experiences delivered by DJAARA, such as the Bendigo Ulumbarra CBD Tour, Larnigaringilang Walking Tour, Argyle Spring Walking Tour and Kooyoora.
The Bendigo Region Bloom program offers a packed line-up of events.
