Suzanna

I am trying to decide which Zoo to go to on our upcoming trip. We will be in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Most of these cities have a Zoo and the entry fee appears to be quite a lot. So I would like to pick one of them but based on the description I do not know which one would offer more (the best representation of Australia's fauna). Recommendations would be appreciated.

Bokhara2

Sydney's Taronga is the biggest and in a spectacular location. Take the ferry from Circular Quay.

It costs a lot to feed, house & care for the number of animals we have in our zoos. We have a small population and they receive very little assistance from our taxes. Add in the costs of providing, maintaining & staffing facilities for visitors and it's easier to understand why the costs may be more expensive than in places with huge population/ visitor numbers, generous government assistance, lower wages or sub-standard animal care.

Just by way of interest, what are the admission prices to your zoos?

longhorn55

I've been to Taronga Zoo (Sydney), Featherdale Wildlife Park (Sydney) and Cleland Wildlife Park (Adelaide) as well as many other Australian zoos and wildlife parks.

Taronga Zoo is definitely the largest and most impressive of all these zoos, but I will admit that their $44 admission fee for adults is really steep, especially considering the USD-AUD exchange rate now. If this admission fee is within your budget, then that's the one I'd recommend.

If you can't quite afford that, then I would recommend either Melbourne Zoo (based on the many good reviews I have read of it) or Cleland Wildlife Park (based on equally good reviews and my own experience there.) If you want to read some reviews of these zoos, check out Trip Advisor.

Bokhara, like Australia, entry fees at U.S. zoos can vary. The entry fee at the San Diego Zoo, which is probably the preeminent zoo in the U.S., is the equivalent of AUD 40. The Bronz Zoo, another excellent zoo, has an entry fee of AUD 29. However, there are good zoos such as the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and the National Zoo in Washington D.C. that do not charge any entry fees.

Bokhara2

That's interesting, thanks Longhorn. So our preeminent zoos charge more or less the same.

Unfortunately, we don't have the population, philanthropy or government assistance to run our zoos properly without charging an admission.

Memberships are steep too, but allow unlimited visits and for some locals that's the way to go. It is an expensive day out if you have kids though and I think it's a pity, because families who can't afford it miss out on such a great experience.

I don't know(but should find out) whether schools take their kids on Zoo excursions.

Suzanna

Thanks for the info and suggestions. We live in Portland, OR which has a very nice Zoo. Obviously every place is different. Here the admission for an adult is $10.50. Every second Tuesday of the month is $4. We just got an annual membership that allows unlimited admissions for 2 adults and 2 kids for $59. In Portland there are lots of volunteers that help out at places like this one. I am looking forward to seeing one of the zoos in Australia and then seeing some of the animals in the wild on our trips.

northie

another part of Melbourne zoo is Healesville sanctuary which is a great place to see native animals even tasmaina devils and is a great trip from melbourne -really like going to an outer sunburb

northie

oops Tasmanian

Melnq8

Suggest you give the Perth Zoo a pass...you can do better elsewhere. Last time I was there it was $22.50.

I highly recommend Caversham Wildlife Park in Perth though - great place to spend half a day. I think it's about $22.

Melnq8

<really like going to an outer sunburb>

Too much time spent in the suburban sun = sunburb

Clifton

<i>I don't know(but should find out) whether schools take their kids on Zoo excursions.</i>

Bokhara - they do in Melbourne. We're zoo members so we go often to all three of Melbourne's zoos - Melbourne (the main one), Healesville (native animals in native rural setting) and Werribee ("safari" style, seeing roaming animals from moving bus) and I've seen school groups at all of them pretty much every time. Being a member means being able pop in for a short visit without feeling like you're losing money. It also allows us entry into Taronga and the other major Aussie zoos (but not the Irwin's)

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I remember Memphis Zoo was $15 for adults. It was small, but very good. It had special displays that included Giant Pandas, Komodo Dragons, Polar Bears (with underwater dive viewing area) and Bonobos. I think it's hard to gauge a zoo entirely by size, fame or location. Most have something going for them. I like Melbourne's moving towards a "rain forest" feel on many of their walking paths, removing the pavement and letting the leafyness close in around and above the natural paths, for instance.

giggleguts

Like Clifton, we too have a family membership. It really saves money for the locals.
I'd pass on the Perth and Adelaide Zoos and opt for either Taronga or Melbourne.

Depending on what time you are going, Summer generally has twilight walks or more family activities to partake in.

The Weribee Zoo even has a Safari sleepover, where you can stay overnight and get involved in feeding time with the nocturnal animals - could be a waste of an evening in Melbourne for you though?

Healesville is a great drive away, often friends visiting from overseas to Melbourne go there - as they get to see the kangaroos and pat a koala etc. Great if you're interested in our native wildlife. You can stop in a town or a winery for lunch and be back before dinnertime. If you're a foodie - there's plenty about in that whole area.

http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions...alesville.aspx