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Wildlife Aquariums, Reserve, Sanctuary, Zoos |
Australia has a bountiful heritage of wildlife, from the native wildlife to the
more commercial imported ones, there are many places where you can enjoy them.
From national parks, wildlife reserves, reptile farms, conservation refuges and
zoos, the assortment and variety of places are considerable.
We will bring some
suggestions here, as well as links to many online resources, conservation groups
and wildlife contact organisations that are available. |
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Northern Territory - Wildlife Nature Reserves, Zoos, Parks,
Aquariums
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 Alice Springs Desert Park
• Larapinta Drive, ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870
• Ph: +61 8 8951 8788 • Fax: +61 8 8951 8720 •
• Web:
www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au
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The park introduces visitors to the incredible but subtle richness of
Australia’s arid zone. Designed to move well beyond the boundaries of
traditional zoos, botanic gardens and museums, the park has adopted a holistic
“habitat-based and story driven” approach. Discover the desert in its entirety,
the landscapes, animals and plants, and their traditional use and management by
Aboriginal people.
 Nestled in the foothills of the West MacDonnell Ranges, just ten minutes from
the centre of town you will experience diverse and spectacular landscapes and
learn about the adaptations of hundreds of species of desert flora and fauna.
There are:
- Free-flying birds of prey display.
- Desert Rivers, Sand Country, and the Woodland habitats to explore.
- Close encounters with rare and elusive wildlife in the Nocturnal House.
- A theatre where four and a half billion years of desert evolution will
flash before you in a 20 minute cinematic journey called ‘The Changing
Heart’.
- Interactive interpretive exhibits.
To see our images
click here...
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 Alice
Springs Reptile Centre
• 9 Stuart Terrace (at the base of Billy Goat Hill
(opposite Royal Flying Doctor
Service), ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870
• Ph: 08 8952 8900 • Fax: 08
8952 8700
• Web:
www.reptilecentre.com.au
• Opened Daily — Talks daily —
see website for
details.
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Hands on fun for everyone! Come and
see thorny devils, frilled neck lizards, goannas, pythons, venomous snakes,
taipans, and Terry the saltwater croc.
To see our images
click here...
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Aquascene
• 28 Doctors Gully Rd, DARWIN NT 0800
• Ph: 08 8981 7837 • Fax: 08 8941 8844 •
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Fish feeding at Doctors Gully. Treat
yourself to an unforgettable experience right in the heart of Darwin within
distance of most city hotels. Aquascene is where hundreds of fish come to shore
at high tide to be fed by hand. Among the many species that you may see, as they
come close enough to touch competing for food, include milkfish, mullet,
catfish, bream and barramundi. Other species that may be seen in the shallow are
rays, cod, mangrove jack and diamond fish. Feeding happens only for a few hours
daily, with the most favourable times being generally in the mornings. Fish
numbers are highest during December to August. Check the website for feeding
times.
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 Territory Wildlife Park
• Cox Peninsula Rd, BERRY SPRINGS NT 0837
• Ph: +61 8
8988 7200 • Fax: +61 8 8988 7201 •
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Operated by the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, this
park demonstrates the relationships that exist in the wild, between the
unique native plants and animals of the region. It offers an amazing and
unparalleled insight into the diversity of tropical Australia. Just 45 minutes drive south of Darwin, nestled in almost 1,000 acres of
natural bush, with 4 km of easily walked paths.
- Fascinating daily guide presentations about the native flora and fauna.
- The Aquarium offers remarkable views of crocodiles, barramundi and
more as you journey from the river's source to its end.
- Free-flying birds of prey display.
- Walk through one of the largest domed walk-through aviaries in the
Southern Hemisphere. The path beyond explores a monsoon forest fed by an
underground spring.
- Goose Lagoon bird watching from a hide overlooking a vast billabong.
- Nocturnal House with endangered and rarely seen native species.
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Crocosaurus Cove
• Located in the heart of Darwin’s tourist precinct • Ph: +61 8 8981 7522 •
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Swim with the crocodiles in Darwin
City! Crocosaurus Cove, opening soon, has ‘BFC’ (Big Flippin’ Crocs). There will
be seven crocodile enclosures with underwater viewing areas, and one with a
swimming pool next to a viewing window so you'll be able to feel a bit like
you're swimming with the crocs.
As if that wasn’t enough, there is the ‘Cage of Death’ — a clear box made from
just 1.6 inches thick acrylic, where the thrill seeker can climb into, before
being lowered into Choppa’s lair. It is described as ‘a shark cage without the
bars’, where the tourist can get an close up view of the jaws of Choppa, an 18
foot saltwater crocodile.
As well as
the crocodile displays, there are live reptiles and massive fish aquarium
stocked with turtles and a variety of fish species relevant to the waters of the
NT. The enormous reptile section will house 11 goanna species, frogs, skinks,
dragons and geckos. The exhibit will consists of both diurnal and nocturnal
animals found in the ‘Top End’ and Kimberly regions of Northern Australia and
will also show one of the worlds most venomous land snakes through to the rarest
of Top End pythons. Private function space is available and gift shop.
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Crocodylus Park
and Zoo
• 815 McMillans Rd, BERRIMAH NT
• Ph: 08 8922 4500 • Fax: 08 8947 0678 •
• Open 7 days - 9 am to 5 pm / Feeding & Tour Times 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm 3:30 pm
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A great place to come face to face
with the largest reptiles on the planet. Built over 30 years of experience in
crocodile research and conservation, the park plays host to over a thousand
crocodiles that vary from hatchlings to massive adults measuring 16 feet and
weighing over half-a-ton. There are also a diverse array of other wildlife
including big cats, primates, birds and other reptiles including the hawksbill
turtles. There is a museum, education centre and souvenir shop. Check the site
for feeding times.
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Darwin Crocodile Farm
• (Farm 40 km south of Darwin) Stuart Hwy, DARWIN NT
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Australia’s largest crocodile arm
housing some 36,000 animals. It operates as both a farm producing skins, meat
and other products for export and as a tourist facility. Get here in the early
afternoon for feeding time.
See ‘Snowy’, the world’s largest albino crocodile in captivity and many other
very large animals feeding daily. With the ‘freshie’ billabong, garden, and bush
settings, it is a place that is home to many native birds and animals. For the
bird enthusiasts there have been spotted kingfishers, ibis, sandpipers, storks
and birds of prey. Water monitors, turtles and many lizard species can also be
spotted in the surrounds.
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Indo Pacific Marine
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Wharf Precinct, DARWIN NT 0801 • Ph: 08 8981 1294 •
(for bookings use
online form)
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The Indo Pacific Marine is the
longest established man-made tourism facility in the Northern Territory,
receiving industry recognition for excellence over many years. The exhibition is
unique in the fact that this is a land based living marine centre where each
system is totally self supporting – no feeding, filtration or water changing. As
the marine displays are contained eco systems, rare and unusual species can be
observed far more easily than would ever be the case on a dive in the open sea,
even for skilled SCUBA divers.
Indo Pacific Marine also features unique night tours of the reef. Yet again,
this all happens indoors where each visitor is supplied with a torch to observe
the nocturnal world of the reef environment, and this can include corals
spawning or fluorescing in a spectacular display of light. For an even more
close-up experience, magnifying sheets are placed against the glass walls of the
displays to observe minute organisms as they go about their business, as they
would in an ocean environment.
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