Taronga Zoo.....

This spectacular zoo enjoys a dress-circle position overlooking Sydney Harbour and is famous for its panoramic views alone. It houses a comprehensive collection of exotic animals, a native animal collection which includes Australia's only platypus exhibit, and offers visitors the opportunity to share a photo portrait with a koala. There's also the brilliant aviary, the Orangutan Rainforest, and performances twice daily at Taronga's popular Seal Theatre. Only 12 minutes from Circular Quay by ferry, with departures every 30 minutes. Open every day from 9am until 5pm. Bradley's Head Road, Mosman. Tel: 9969 2777.

Sydney Aquarium.....

Enjoy submarine thrills right here in the city. Sydney Aquarium has sharks, rays and fish of every imaginable shape and size.

Entertainment and education when you witness the underwater world as never before. Darling Harbour.

Open 9.30am - 9pm, 7 days a week. Tel: 9262 2300

Featherdale Wildlife Park.....

This fascinating wildlife park offers visitors a superb exhibit of native birds displayed with diverse Australian fauna rarely seen in metropolitan Sydney. Not only can you see koalas close up at Featherdale, a close encounter with a crocodile can also become a reality.

Other animals exhibited in near-natural habitats include kangaroos species, wombats, fairy penguins and Tasmanian Devils. Visitors will become more aware of the animals' environment in Australia and the conditions they live in. 24-hour infoline: 9671 4984.

Waratah Park.....

Set in beautiful bushland on Sydney's Northern Peninsula is the park that featured in the original "Skippy" TV show. See koalas, kangaroos, emus, birds - even crocodiles and Tasmanian Devils - and of course, "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo". Namba Road, Duffy's Forest. Ph: 9450 2377.

Australian Reptile Park.....

A unique Australian wildlife sanctuary, out of town. This world-famous park not only has the largest collection of reptiles in Australia, it also features a colourful collection of Australian birdlife and marsupials These include the Platypus, Koalas, Gliders, Kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils, Cassowaries and Dingos. And every morning and afternoon there's the thrilling sight of deadly snakes being milked of their venom. Pacific Highway, Gosford.

Open daily 9am - 5pm. Tel: (02) 4340 1146.

Western Plains Zoo.....

It's well out of town, but a trip worth making. 5 km from Dubbo, close to motel and caravan accommodation, is this award-winning open-range Zoo. 300 hectares of parkland is home to over 1,000 individual animals of 72 different species.

Easy to cover - drive, bike, walk - or hire an electric kart. Picnic grounds and free BBQ facilities. Open 9 am to 5 pm daily (last entry at 3.30 pm.) Open late over selected school holiday times - phone for details. Obley Road, Dubbo. Ph: (02) 6882 5888.

Oceanworld Manly.....

In the seaside suburb of Manly, a short ferry ride across the harbour from the city. Experience the living colours of the Great Barrier Reef and its inhabitants at close quarters, without even getting wet. Oceanworld features the best of Australia's oceans from the deadly underwater beasties to the delicate marine creatures and, being an interactive aquarium, there is always something happening for visitors.

Spectacular shark and giant stingray feeding sessions are held every day, and you can watch from just inches away through the huge perspex tunnel.

You can also experience the creatures of the touch pool, touch a shark in the shallows, thrill to the seals performing in their own show and watch giant turtle feeding sessions.

Daily 10am-5.30pm. Tel: 9949 2644.

Australian Wildlife Park.....

One of our most exciting tourist attractions, the Australian Wildlife Park, is 50 minutes from the centre of Sydney. The Park offers an extensive selection of Australian flora and fauna spread over ten acres.

You can enjoy a wide range of close up views - wonder at a one tonne saltwater crocodile, see rare albino kangaroos, and koalas. Wallgrove Rd. Eastern Creek (next to Australia's Wonderland)

Open daily 9am - 5pm. Tel: 9830 9187