| When
it opened in 1862, Melbourne Zoo (daily 9am–5pm; also Jan–early
March Thurs–Sun until 9pm for Twilight Concerts at the Zoo; $15;
Mon–Sat tram #55 from William Street, Sun #68 from Elizabeth Street) was
the first in Australia. Some of its original features are still in
evidence, including Australian and foreign trees, landscaped gardens, and
a few restored Victorian-era cages, but almost all the animals have been
rehoused in better, more natural conditions. The Australian area contains
a central lake with waterbirds, open enclosures for koalas and other
animals, and a bushland setting where you can walk among emus, kangaroos
and wallabies. |
 |
| Strolling
along the boardwalks of the Great Flight Aviary (daily
10.30am–4.30 pm) you’ll come across areas of rainforest, wetland, and
a scrub area with a huge gum tree where many birds nest. The dark Platypus
Habitat (daily 9.30am–4pm) is also worth a look, since the mammals
are notoriously difficult to see in the wild – even here there’s no
guarantee you’ll be lucky. Highly enjoyable, too, is the Butterfly
House (daily 9.30am–4.30pm), a steamy tropical hothouse with
hundreds of colourful Australian butterflies flitting about. |
