We had Melbourne Zoo in the back of our mind when we decide to head down south, but it wasn't till I was chatting to other travelers around the pool that I was convinced that we should check it out, even if it meant staying an extra night. Ivy was determined that she didn't want to catch the train (which stops right outside the entrance) so I was brave and drove there dodging the trams along the way. I thought it was going to be tricky as I remember a lot off tension in the car between my parents when I traveled through the city years ago, but by sticking behind a local I made it without any incident. The zoo has a great layout with plenty to see, most of the exhibits can be seen by wandering along lush paths that are surrounded by leafy plants which were great on a hot day like we had. Ivy 's favourite animals were the Meerkats, African wild dogs and the Tigers. She had been practicing her tiger growl most of the morning in anticipation of meeting one and was quiet disappointed when she didn't get a response when she tried it out! Jay really enjoyed the African wild dogs, especially watching the pack try to get meat that had been placed really high up a tree, as part of their enrichment. Apart from the animals and watching the kids enjoy every minute of our visit my favourite part was the Zoo membership we got! For $88, not only are your supporting the zoo and all the conservation programs that they operate, adults can get unlimited entry and kids get in free, not only for 3 Melbourne zoos but also Taronga and Dubbo! After an exhausting 6 hour day we walked back to the car park, glad that we didn't have to catch public transport back to the camp ground!
When we left Melbourne it was pouring rain and we were undecided on where we were heading to next. Thinking the Great Ocean Road might be our next destination, we decide to drive to Geelong before making a finally decision. Along the way we found Weeribee Zoo, and because we could get in for free ( yeah for the Zoo membership!) we dropped in for a break. This Zoo is an open range so we jumped onto the first bus /train ride for the day. Even though the rain fell down, we could see all of the animals that were on display. The baby Rhino came right to us and sharpened his horn on the front carriage! Although this was a great opportunity for us they had to call the Zoo keepers down to move her because we couldn't drive forward. We didn't stay and walk around the other exhibits as it was raining too much, but we really enjoyed our trip there and it helped me make the decision to drive north and try to out run the rain!
Heading north led us to Canberra, and to the Royal Australian mint. The mint like many attractions in Canberra is free, and combined with a tour was really interesting. Both kids enjoyed watching the robots who do most of the work nowadays, and the tour guide was very enthusiastic and informative about the history of coin in Australia as well as how the process occurs. Honestly I am surprised that this was one of Ivy's favourite moments as she spent half the time chatting to a new found friend or rolling on the floor but since we have returned home most of her drawings are of coins or the robots that she saw! Just goes to show you that just because a child isn't intently listening they aren't taking it all in and learning from it.
So that's Ivy's favourite moments,
Next is mine!
Mumma Bear.
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