Archives: Discovery Centres

Melbourne Zoo was established on 1862 and has over 300 species of animals on their 22 ha site near the city. Residents include Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), orangutans (Pongo abelii), sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sondaica), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and giraffes (Giraffa). The ocean aquarium includes Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) and a variety of…

Billabong Sanctuary is a zoo with estuarine crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas, wedge tailed eagles, emu, and various snakes and monitors. There are various feeding sessions and ranger talks throughout the day. The Sanctuary is a family owned business and has accreditation as an Ecotourism attraction. Sanctuary Billabong is a member of the Zoos and Aquariums Association…

The Perth Zoo has been on the same site in South Perth since it opened in 1898. The Zoo has more than 160 species of exotic and native animals. All together there are more than 1500 animals who are looked after by 200 humans! Keeper talks and guided walks are free. Close encounters are available…

The Kalkari Discovery Centre gives visitors to Ku-ring-gai National Park north of Sydney an opportunity to learn about local fauna and flora, as well as the Indigenous history of the area. The centre is also the start point of the 4 km Birrawanna walking track to picturesque Bobbin Head on Cowan Creek. Open everyday except…

Perth Observatory is located in the Darling Range east of Perth in Korung National Park. The Observatory has a range of telescopes including the remote controlled R-COP Celestron 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain. Special programs include astrophotography workshops and sessions for events like eclipses. Open every day except for public holidays. Fees apply. Photo: kitta (CC BY NC…

Crocodylus Park is a zoo and crocodile museum. There are thousands of crocodiles on display, ranging in size from 30cm hatchlings to 5m adults. Other animals include water buffalo, turtles, monkeys and big cats. Animal feeding and reptile handling sessions are scheduled throughout the day. Crocodylus Park was founded in 1994 by crocodile expert Professor…

The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens are spread over 42 ha on the edge of Darwin’s city centre. As well as orchids in the plant display house, there are several landscapes presented, including a rainforest gully with 450 species of palms, and mangroves and coastal plants fringing Fannie Bay. The baobab collection includes species from…

Potoroo Palace Native Animal Sanctuary is a not-for-profit charity with the aim of educating the local community about the importance of native wildlife and how twe can all make a difference to their environment. Visitors can see about 30 long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus), some rufus bettongs (Aepyprymnus rufescens), koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), wombats (Vombatus ursinus), echidnas…

Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a short walk from the centre of Alice Springs and has displays more than 600 species of native plants, including more than 40 endangered species. Olive Pink founded the garden in 1956. You may see rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis) and euros (Osphranter robustus) while walking through the garden, along with…

The Australian Inland Botanic Garden are located in the New South Wales town of Mourquong, just across the Murray River from Mildura. The Garden was opened in 1991 on 49 hectares (120 acres) of land and has grown to over 150 hectares including reservation areas for future development. The flora in the gardens includes over…