A visit to the zoo isn’t just about education, it’s a fun day out too. You get to see wonderful creatures, as well as learn about conservation and how to protect our wildlife. Julia Nekich visits our pick of the top 10 zoos and aquariums (in no particular order) in NSW and the ACT. 1. Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo is celebrating its 90th birthday this year with gifts for visitors. Visit on your birthday between now and June 30, 2007 and pay only 90 cents entry fee. Besides its gorgeous harbourside location, a highlight at Taronga is the overnight Roar & Snore program, where you get a sneak peak at the nocturnal animals – perfect throughout the warmer months. Open every day (including Christmas day), 9am–5pm. For more details call 9969 2777 or visit Taronga Zoo. NRMA Members receive a discount on tickets that are pre-purchased. Visit your local NRMA office or call 13 11 22.

2. National Zoo and Aquarium

If you’re a cat lover, you’ll appreciate the country’s largest collection of big cats at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. Australia’s only combined zoo and aquarium, it’s home to the only two tigons (offspring of male tiger and female lion) in Australia. Here, visitors can also get hands-on contact with Australia’s only king cheetah, one of 20–30 in the world. You can also hand-feed brown bears! Don’t forget your camera. Open 10am–5pm daily (except Christmas Day). For more information call 6287 8400 or visit National Zoo and Aquarium.

3. Mogo Zoo

Mogo Zoo is Australia’s only privately owned zoo committed specifically to the conservation of exotic animals, including Australia’s only three white lions. Over the last 16 years, owners Bill and Sally Padey have proved their conservation approaches work, because the zoo continually delivers new cubs. Located near Batemans Bay, Mogo Zoo was awarded Best Regional Attraction by South Coast Regional Tourism for the fourth time this year. Open 9am–5pm daily (except Christmas Day). For more info call 4474 4930 or visit Mogo Zoo.

5. Featherdale Wildlife Park

Featherdale Wildlife Park offers a unique Aussie experience in Doonside, 40 minutes from Sydney’s CBD. It boasts Australia’s largest collection of native animals in a bushland setting and is a NSW Tourism Awards 2005 winner. Open 9am–5pm daily (except Christmas Day). For more information call 9622 1644 or visit Featherdale Wildlife.

6. Birdland Animal Park

Birdland Animal Park has some special characters. Take Arthur, for instance. This orphaned deer, hand-reared at the park alongside an orphaned kangaroo, now thinks he’s a roo and loves to hang out in the roo enclosure. There are around 50 more animals to visit in the lush, waterfront bushland and gardens of Birdland Animal Park in Batemans Bay. Open 9.30am–4pm daily (except Christmas day). For more info call 4472 5364 or visit Birdland Animal Park.

7. Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Get a good dose of snakes, crocs, spiders and amphibians at the Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary near Gosford. It is the only Australian zoo that produces lifesaving venom. Through its Venom-milking Program, the zoo saves around 300 lives (usually victims of snake and funnelweb-spider bites) each year. Open 9am–5pm daily (except Christmas day). For more information call 4340 1022 or visit Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

8. Symbio Wildlife Gardens

Symbio Wildlife Gardens is a family owned zoo on six hectares of parkland and bushland in Helensburgh (45 minutes south of Sydney’s CBD). Symbio is the first park permitted to import and export the Tasmanian Devil, now on the brink of extinction. For more information call 4294 1244 or visit Symbio Wildlife Gardens.

9. Sydney Wildlife World

See over 6000 animals living in their natural habitats and ecosystems in the heart of Darling Harbour! Visit the cassowary, but don’t get too close, it’s said to be the world’s most dangerous bird. There’s also butterflies, snakes, spiders, possums, quolls, wallabies, native birds and more. For more details call 9333 9288 or visit Sydney Wildlife World. NRMA Members receive a discount on tickets that are pre-purchased. Visit your local NRMA office or call 13 11 22.

10. Sydney Aquarium and Oceanworld Manly At Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour, you can take an underwater walk and see sharks and giant stingrays close up, or gaze into myriad aquariums. Open every day 9am–10pm. Closed Christmas Day, and closes 6pm New Year’s Eve. For more information call 8251 7800 or visit Sydney Aquarium and Oceanworld Manly. At Oceanworld Manly you’ll find an a five-million-litre oceanarium. Enjoy the many live shows and guided tours. Open 10am–5.30pm daily (except Christmas day). Call 8251 7877 or visit Oceanworld Manly.

NRMA Members receive a discount on tickets to both aquariums if they are pre-purchased. Visit your local NRMA office or call 13 11 22.