Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
views but seem blissfully unaware of the privilege. The animals are well looked after,
with more natural open enclosures than cages.
Highlights include the nocturnal platypus habitat, the Great Southern Oceans section,
the Asian elephant display, and seal and bird shows. Animal displays and feedings happen
throughout the day; twilight concerts jazz things up in summer.
Tours include
Nura Diya
( 9978 4782; 90-minute tour adult/child $99/69; 9.45am Mon, Wed &
Fri)
, where indigenous guides introduce you to native animals and share Dreaming stories
about them, while giving an insight into traditional Aboriginal life.
Roar & Snore
(
9978 4791; adult/child $275/190)
is an overnight family experience that includes a night-time sa-
fari, a buffet dinner, breakfast and tents under the stars.
From the wharf, the Sky Safari cable car or a bus will whisk you to the main entrance
(for free if you've got a ZooPass), from where you can traverse the zoo downhill back to
the ferry. A Zoo Pass (adult/child/family $51/25/143) from Circular Quay includes return
ferry rides, the bus or cable-car ride to the top and zoo admission. Parking is scarce - take
public transport instead. Disabled access is good, even if arriving by ferry, and wheel-
chairs are available.
BALMORAL BEACH
(The Esplanade; 245)
The beachy enclave of Balmoral faces off with Manly across Middle
Harbour, and has some good restaurants and a beaut swimming beach. Split in two by an
unfeasibly picturesque rocky outcrop, Balmoral attracts picnicking North Shore families.
Swimmers migrate to the shark-netted southern end.
BEACH
CHINAMANS BEACH
(Cyprian St; 229)
Gorgeous, peaceful and serene, despite its proximity to busy Balmoral.
Good for a photogenic swim.
BEACH
OBELISK
(Chowder Bay Rd; 244)
An isolated gay and nudist beach surrounded by bushland in the
Middle Head section of Sydney Harbour National Park. It loses the sun quickly in the af-
ternoon (chilly for the nudists).
BEACH
COBBLERS BEACH
(Cobblers Beach Rd; 244)
A nude and secluded beach on the other side of Middle Head from
its partner in crime, Obelisk.
BEACH
