Happy Feet at Sea World
With the opening of Sea World’s new $12 million Penguin Antarctic Adventure, littlies can head onto the ice with the 24 resident King and Gentoo penguins (after donning special snow gear to keep them warm!) There’s also a behind the scenes tour and souvenir photograph. Book at MyFun.com.au.
 Magic and Mascots at Currumbin
A new show chock-full of magic and animals has been added to the daily entertainment schedule at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Ranger Rikky is an old favourite at Currumbin and his new Magic & Mascot Show gives kids the chance to meet Lori and Lollie the Lorikeets, Kanga the Kangaroo and the resident crocodile, Snappy. The show features magic, comedy, dancing, sing-alongs and plenty of audience interaction. At the end, the kids will have time to get up close to these Aussie animals and pose for a photo. For more information, www.cws.org.au.
Catch a crab
This September, Sydney Aquarium will be displaying some of the world’s largest crabs in the CLAWS Exhibit. Kids of all ages will have a blast exploring the bizarre world of these aquatic creatures. This exhibit will showcase many fascinating crustaceans, including the Giant Japanese Spider Crab, the Darwin Prawn, Murray Crayfish, Banded Coral Shrimp and the Red Bait Crab. The exhibit will run from September 5 for the entire month. Tickets are $35 for adults, $18 for children between 4-15yrs and $23 for concession. www.sydneyaquarium.com.au
By George!
Stay overnight at Fantasea Adventure Cruising’s offshore Reefsleep in the Whitsundays and George the Giant Queensland Groper might just gatecrash your dinner, as he did to some recent guests, including a Japanese travel writer who took the photo on the previous page! George is around three metres long, and is estimated to weigh around 400kg. He’s just one of the amazing sights you can see during a visit to Reefworld. www.fantasea.com.au
New Mogo giraffe
In the early hours of August 21, Shani the Rothschild giraffe gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The calf is standing tall at 180cm and has been bonding very well with his mum and zookeepers. This is the second giraffe birth the Zoo has welcomed in two years. With only a few hundred Rothschild giraffes remaining in their natural habitat of Kenya and Northern Uganda, Mogo’s successful breeding pair are playing a modest but essential role in securing the future of this endangered subspecies. Shani is a very proud mum so pop on over to Mogo Zoo to celebrate and gaze at this too-cute calf. Visit www.mogozoo.com.au.
 WILD time at Sydney’s Darling Harbour
Bringing the ultimate Australian Animal Adventure to Sydney, WILD LIFE Sydney launches at Aquarium Wharf on 13 September. Formerly the site of Sydney Wildlife World, a refurbishment took place throughout July and August and now reopens with a brand new attraction.
It is an amazing journey through Australia’s most famous and travelled locations, where visitors encounter Australia’s most loved and feared animals. Walking through eight Australian habitats, from Kakadu Gorge to The Outback, Butterfly Tropics and more, this Australian Animal Adventure takes on average 1.5 to two hours to complete. There are enhanced interactive displays, daily shows, feeding sessions and walk-through habitats including Koala Encounters.
WILD LIFE Sydney is home to Australia’s largest kangaroo, a monster croc, Rex, and from 13 September six unbearably cute baby emus. The striped chicks have made their debut in time for September school holidays.
For more information, go to www.wildlifesydney.com.au
Zoo keeper for a day
If your kids have ever wondered what it’d be like to work in a zoo, the Canberra National Zoo’s Keeper for a Day has launched in time for the school holidays. Kids will be taken behind the scenes and learn just what it takes to care for zoo animals. They will also make enrichment toys for the animals, and learn about conservation issues facing the world today. Each day offers insight into a different animal. We recommend you book soon because places are limited, and dates are October 22 for kids in years three to six and October 23 for kids in years seven to 10. For more information visit www.nationalzoo.com.au
Jungle princess
Monarto Zoo’s new little lioness has a name – Jahzara. Meaning ‘blessed princess’ she is 15kg as we write this, although not for long as she gains an average of 1kg weekly! She is slowly being introduced to the other females alongside mum Kiamba and as she grows she is easily visible from the tour bus as she soaks up some sun on the platforms in the Cubbing Exhibit. Also joining the Monarto family is a zebra foal, born in early August. Come and visit these delightful African babies at Monarto Zoo. Go to www.monartozoo.com.au for more information.
Savannah safari
Get set for a new African experience this September school holidays at Australia Zoo, when stage one of this nine-hectare Savannah spectacular opens. You and the kids can watch giraffe, zebras and rhinos interact from the safety of the Safari Shuttle. There’s a drinking hole for the rhino, and the entire plain has been landscaped for an authentic African feel.
Keep an eye out for the zoo keepers, who will be conducting cheetah walks through the Savannah during the busy periods. www.australiazoo.com.au
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