wildlife Archives - Destination's Journey

National Zoo and Aquarium

Modern and spacious, the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra houses animals from around the world, but also includes many from Australia.

Getting There and Parking

Located a short 15-minute car ride from the centre of Canberra, it’s easy to get to. Plenty of on-site parking allows easy access for cars. A great feature is that entrances from different car parks mean you do not need to walk all the way to the front entrance to get in. Just remember which entrance you used!

Getting Around the National Zoo and Aquarium

The zoo’s layout enables all exhibits to be seen by walking a circular path, with a few deviations. Because of this excellent layout you do not need to double back and retrace your steps very often.

Food Outlets

Two main food outlets are placed on either side of the zoo. Near the lower carpark entrance a restaurant serving light meals and drinks is near the monkey enclosures. On the far side of the zoo, next to the open range area, the Rhino Bistro also serves food and drinks.

Vending machines scattered around the zoo allow you to buy snacks and drinks as you go.

If you would rather bring your own food, picnic areas throughout the zoo let you sit and relax while you eat.

National Zoo and Aquarium Exhibits

Housed in large modern enclosures, the animals have plenty of space to move around. This reminded us of a mix between the open range zoo at Dubbo and the Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

African Wildlife

The zoo has a large collection of African wildlife on display. Ranging from lions and cheetahs to elephants and giraffes, most people’s favourites are there. Most of the carnivores had been fed and by midmorning were dozing in the sun. If you want to see them roaming around, early morning is the best time, because this is when they are more active.

The zebras, giraffes and other herbivores were more active, often walking close to the fence. This was great, giving us a much better close up look.

African Painted Dog National Zoo and Aquarium — African Painted Dog

Tigers

Unlike their African counterparts, the tigers were active and wandering around their enclosure. One of them came up to the large Perspex viewing window so we could get a very close look at him.

Meerkats

Meerkats are always fun to watch and the ones here were no exception. Whether they were fighting, eating or just standing guard, they were entertaining.

Meerkat National Zoo and Aquarium — Meerkat

Birds

Aviaries hold many birds, but the one we like the most was the fairy penguins, because theirs was open to the air and you could see them swimming around.

Fairy Penguin National Zoo and Aquarium — Fairy Penguin

Reptiles

Located next to the aquarium, the reptile houses a huge number of snakes and lizards. This is a great way to see many of Australia’s poisonous snakes behind a glass wall so that you remain safe. Seeing them out in the wild can be a little more dangerous.

Heat lamps and low lighting keep them active, although most of the snakes were not moving.

Green Iguana National Zoo and Aquarium — Green Iguana

Primates

The primate section was very active, with monkeys climbing along rope and through trees. The lemurs, apes and monkeys had only just been fed, so were out in their enclosures playing and eating.

Bears

Deer

There were many different species of deer, all in large enclosures so that they could move around.

Wapiti Elk National Zoo and Aquarium — Wapiti Elk

Australian Wildlife

As expected, the Australian section is one of the largest, with kangaroos, wallabies, emus and koalas.

It was great to see Tasmanian devils there, as they are endangered due to a facial cancer that is destroying their population in Tasmania. Breeding programs and disease free populations have been set up around the country to save them from extinction.

Tasmanian Devil National Zoo and Aquarium — Wallabies

Extinct Animals at the National Zoo

A very unusual section of the zoo is dedicated to extinct animals and birds. The first we saw was the dodo, famous for being made extinct by sailors who killed them for food. The Tasmanian Tiger was also there, push to extinction by sheep farmers and graziers.

The message from these displays is that animals can easily be made extinct, but can be brought back again.

Also in the area were a few dinosaurs, showing that life has changed significantly over the last 100 million years. They are also fun for kids to look at because they look quite life-like.

Velociraptor Sculpture National Zoo and Aquarium — Dodo Sculpture

What did we think?

This is one of the best zoos we have seen, and we have visited a lot of them. So much space for the animals. Great location, no issues with parking, and plenty of spots to sit down and have a snack or sit down to order food. A must if you love this stuff!

For other places to visit in the Australian Capital Territory click here

Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

How to Get There

The Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise leaves from Adventure Bay on Bruny Island. On arrival, park your car in the large carpark and make your way to the large building, where you check in and wait for the tour to start. From here, the guides will walk you to the boats tied up at a nearby pier.

What to Wear and Take

The weather in this part of Tasmania is very changeable, meaning that although it may be warm before you start, it may be cold or raining later. The tour recommends warm clothing, as the temperature out on the water may be cold. A waterproof jacket is provided, which is ankle length, but you may still get wet. We wore woollen jumpers and jackets, but still used the jackets provided. Gloves and something warm for your head, like a beanie and a scarf are also recommended.

There is room in the overhead nets for bags and backpacks to keep them dry, but anything on the floor will get wet. To avoid water damage photos are best taken when the boat stops. We kept cameras inside our jackets when not being used and they did not get wet.

Prior to the boat leaving the dock, the crew provide a safety briefing and distributed ginger seasick tablets. Fortunately, no one became sick during our cruise.

The Bruny Island Adventure Cruise Boat Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise — The Bruny Island Adventure Cruise Boat

The Coastline

One of the main attractions for the cruise is the rugged coastline which provides a fantastic backdrop throughout the three hours you are on the water. Whether it is towering cliffs, blow holes, sea caves or arches, there was always something to look at. The boat stopped regularly, which allowed us to take pictures. Taking pictures while moving was impossible, as we moved too fast, and it was too bumpy and wet.

Cliffs

The towering dolerite cliffs dominate the coastline, throughout the trip, reminding you of how rugged the coastline is. One of the best sights is the monument, an eroded spire standing out of the sea watching over the coast.

Opening to a Sea Cave — Dolerite Cliff Face

Sea Caves and Blow Holes

Wave action has cut caves and fissures into the cliffs in many places, producing caves and blow holes. As the water enters the fissures and is forced out by air pressure, huge spouts of water erupt into the air. The boat got close enough so that we were often covered by the spray.

Blow Hole on a Cliff Face Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise — Blow Hole on a Cliff Face

Arches

Over time erosion around the sea caves turns them into arches. These look magnificent standing above the sea, with waves crashing around their base.

Islands

The Friars, several small islands are home to seals and sea birds. The tour takes you out to them, but they also look good by themselves.

The Friars Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise — The Friars

Wildlife to See on The Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

Although a major highlight of the tour, there is no guarantee that wildlife will be seen during the cruise. We were lucky, because seals and seabirds were basking on the rocks and dolphins put on a show for the return journey.

Birds

During the cruise we were able to see many sea birds, most of which were drying their feathers on rocks off the coast. We managed to see a sea eagle, but it was too far away for a good photo.

Black-faced Cormorants and a White Faced Heron — Black-faced Cormorants

Seals

New Zealand and Australian fur seals were basking on rock ledges when we were there, making for great photo opportunities. At the Friars, the boat was able to get close inshore where we saw them up close. This was very special and a highlight of the trip, although the smell was overpowering.

Dolphins

During the return trip dolphins swam next to the boat, putting on a great show.

Whales

Sometime during trips whales are visible as they migrate to and from the Antarctic. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any, but the other wildlife we saw was great.

Back on Shore

After returning our wet weather jackets and thanking the crew, we made our way to the restaurant where we had a hot meal and a drink from the bar.

What Did We Think of The Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

This was the highlight of our visit to Bruny Island with the coastline and wildlife being amazing to see. Remember to wear warm waterproof clothing and don’t forget your camera.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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Tag: wildlife

National Zoo and Aquarium

National Zoo and Aquarium

Getting There and Parking

Getting Around the National Zoo and Aquarium

Food Outlets