Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
intimidating array of sharks, massive rays and swoon-worthy corals. Residents of the pen-
guin enclosure have lawless amounts of fun.
The aquarium's two dugongs were rescued when washed up on Queensland beaches,
and attempts to return them to the wild failed; they're some of only a handful of these
large marine mammals in captivity worldwide.
Needless to say, kids love this place. Arrive early to beat the crowds. Booking online
will save you a few dollars.
WILD LIFE SYDNEY
Dec-Mar; Town Hall)
Complementing its sister and neighbour Sydney Aquarium, this large
complex houses an impressive collection of Australian native reptiles, butterflies, spiders,
snakes and mammals. The nocturnal section is particularly good, bringing out the extro-
vert in the quolls, potoroos, echidnas and possums, but the kids may be more interested in
holding snakes and posing with koalas.
ZOO
You'll save around $20 on a combined ticket with the Aquarium and there are often ex-
cellent deals if you book online.
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
Beneath an Utzon-like roof (a low-rent Opera House?), the Maritime Museum sails
through Australia's inextricable relationship with the sea. Exhibitions range from Abori-
ginal canoes to surf culture to the navy. There are free tours every day and kids' activities
on Sundays.
MUSEUM
The 'big ticket' (adult/child $25/10) includes the cost of touring the vessels moored
outside, including the submarine HMAS
Onslow
, the destroyer HMAS
Vampire
and an
1874 square rigger, the
James Craig
. Normally a replica of James Cook's
Endeavour
also
drops anchor.
Outside, the austere 100m-long
Welcome Wall
(2 Murray St)
honours Sydney's migrants,
allowing families to inscribe names and register their history on the database.
MADAME TUSSAUDS
MUSEUM
celebrity-obsessed age, it's hardly surprising that Madame Tussauds' hyper-realistic wax-
