We are getting ready for our second trip to Australia. Last time we went to the fabulous zoo and botanic gardens in Sydney. Are the zoos and botanic gardens in Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide worth a visit? If so, which are best? (We'll be in Canberra for a lot longer so will have more time there than the others, where we'll only be for 2 days each.)

Although the Botanical Gardens in Canberra are not as extensive as those in Sydney, they are very nice indeed and worth a visit. Admission is free and they offer free guided tours daily as well. (Another of the wonderful free attractions in Canberra.) They also often have special events, such as Breakfast with the Birds, which are popular.
Unfortunately, it has been many years since we visited the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. At that time, they were undergoing renovations so I imagine there have been improvements and enlargements since then. It can't compare, of course, to the size and location of Taronga Zoo, but based on what I saw on their website, it looks like a nice little zoo.

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne are the nation's best, and rank among the great gardens of the world. They are located quite near the city centre on the southern side of the Yarra River, and are easily reachable by walking or by tram.
The Melbourne Zoo is in the inner city suburb of Parkville, and is an excellent facility.

What sets the Canberra gardens apart is that all the plants are Australian natives. A surprising range of microclimates have been established on the lower slopes of Black Mountain - very close to the ANU, by the way - including rain forest (the natural vegetation around Canberra is dry sclerophyll forest). There's also a marked educational walk indicating the food and medicinal uses practiced by indigenous peoples.

Sorry, I can't comment on the zoo and aquarium.

The new botanic gardens at Cranbourne, just out of Melbourne, are worth seeing, but maybe only if you are heading in that direction (to Philip Island, for example). Although the plantings are still mostly young ,the Australian Garden is delightful, with very interesting landscaping. More details here: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/rbg_cranbourne

The Botanical Gdns in Melbourne are just beautiful. Funnily enough, they are also close to the cultural heart. So whereas in Sydney you can combine the Opera House, the Gardens, the Art Gallery of NSW, State Library exhibitions and Museum of Sydney - in MLB you can combine the Gardens with a visit to the arts precinct at Fed Square and the National Gallery of Victoria.

It's a while since I've been to the BGs in Adelaide - but seem to remember they have a wonderful Victorian glass house.

Don't know if the other zoos can measure up to Taronga, which, let's face it, must have the best location in the world.

BTW the gardens surrounding the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne are also worth a visit (as is the building, of course). It has World Heritage listing, and a significant place in Australia's history.

Happy gardening!

judilie: There is also the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve outside of Canberra. When I was a postdoc at the ANU in the '80s we used to love going there for walks and BBQ picnics. Tidbinbilla had lots of freely roaming roos, koalas, and birds (including emus). It's been about 10 years since I last visited and I've heard the park suffered badly from bushfires a few summers ago. So I can't speak for what it is like presently..maybe someone (Neil?) can weigh in here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidbinbilla_Nature_Reserve

BTW, the Gibraltar Rock hike at Tidbinbilla was one of my favorites. Here's a link to someone's recent pictures:

http://www.novaci.info/Tidbinbilla-%...ock/index.html

BTW, writing this brings back memories of how aggressive the emus at Tidbinbilla were at stealing food. They would swipe sausages right off a hot grill or fire if given half a chance. Once, one of them snuck up behind me sitting at a picnic table and snatched a hamburger right out of my hands as I went to take a bite!

Here's another "thumbs up" for Tidbinbilla. We left Canberra just months before the bushfire in January 2003 but I know there was a lot of damage done to Tidbinbilla. (For example, they lost all of their koalas except for one which got named "Lucky&quot. But I just took a look at their website and it looks like they have recovered pretty well now. (http://www.tams.act.gov.au/play/park...nature_reserve)
I, too, remember those aggressive emus at the Flint Picnic Area. I wonder if they are still there?
Also, an interesting side trip from Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve would be the Tidbinbilla Tracking Station, especially if you have an interest in space science.

Chaina has recelently announced that two Pandas Bears for a breading program will be sent to the zoo in Adeladie. Also in Adeladie is the Manartoo zoo, wher the Adladie zoo has created a game reserve, which is very popular with the locals here