Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens

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Brrr, it was cold this morning, but the sky was blue and the sun was shining. This made it a bit difficult to decide what to wear - if we started with our puffer coats on we were going to be carrying them before long. We decided to tough it out to start with in just T-shirts and jumpers ... which was fine when we were standing in the sun, but very chilly when we were in the shade!

We made a good start and arrived at the zoo right on opening time at 9.00am, with our Melbourne Zoo membership entitling us to free entry at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo through the zoos’ reciprocal arrangements. After driving all day yesterday we decided that we should complete the six kilometre circuit of the zoo on foot.

After entering we made our way past the African Wild Dogs sunning themselves in their paddock to the Meerkat exhibit. Located nearby was the zoo’s youngest male Black Rhinoceros and around the corner, in a separate paddock, was a more mature male. The Black Rhinos lead a solitary life in the wild which is why they are kept in separate enclosures. We stayed to listen to the Black Rhino talk and feed ... despite the fact that we had to stand in the shade for the duration!

The next paddock housed a herd of 15 giraffes and four zebras. It was nearly feeding time so the herd was quite animated in anticipation of the keeper arriving. The keeper tipped grain/pellets into a number of high containers and the giraffes jostled for position to get their noses into the feed. There were about 50 visitors who had paid for the ‘Giraffe Encounter’ so they were being let out onto the platform one group at a time to feed carrots to the giraffes. The giraffes were very keen on the carrots and had their long blue tongues lolling about waiting for a carrot to come their way.

Heading towards the Savannah section of the zoo we passed the areas housing the Eland, the Ring-tailed Lemurs and the Common Hippopotamus before arriving at the Elephant and Cheetah enclosures. The Elephants are actually Asian Elephants so a bit anomalous that they are housed with all the African animals. The Cheetahs also knew that their ‘talk and feed’ time slot was coming up so they were pacing around restlessly. One was very animated and was making what can only be described as a chirping sound like a bird. Very unexpected. I was looking for a bird and then realised that it was actually the Cheetah making the sound.

We paid $10.00/head to take the Savannah Safari ... which was a bit disappointing compared with the bus tours at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. And that is a completely unbiased opinion, I’m not just saying it because I’m a Victorian. Firstly it was a very short tour, in terms of both time and distance and secondly, there were not very many animals to be seen.

We had a break for lunch in the small cafe that is adjacent to the zoo’s Waterhole Cafe and Water Play development. We enjoyed a lovely outlook onto temporary fencing and construction works! Lunch was followed by stops at the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and the Otters. There were otter pups in the enclosure that were very, very cute. I mean, otters are super cute anyway, so baby otters even cuter.

Starting to feel a bit footsore and the afternoon getting away from us we decided to bypass the Camels and the Barbary Sheep and the ‘Wild Herds’ area and fast-track through the Wild Asia Wetlands and the Billabong Camp. We also skipped the whole Australian section feeling that we were familiar enough with our own wildlife. Our next stop was at the African Lion who was showing the visitors his back so no pics of a magnificently maned Lion.

At the enclosure of the Galapagos Tortoise we (OK, I) photographed what I thought was one of the tortoises only to discover that they were actually keeping warm in their inside enclosure and what I had photographed was a rock!! And on that photographic low point our day at the zoo drew to a close.

From the zoo we set the SatNav for the Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden which we were led to believe included a Japanese garden. When we arrived we found another work in progress rather than a fully developed botanic garden. Of course the gardens were also in a bit of a winter hiatus so we were a little disappointed that it was much smaller than we had anticipated and rather lacking in foliage and flowers.

We were going to try another restaurant for dinner tonight, but were stymied by it being Sunday night and the fact that some restaurants decide to take a night off on Sundays. Not to worry, we enjoyed the pub last night so decided to return there and try other meals from their extensive menu. I’m sure they were very pleased to have us as it seemed that they had more staff on this evening than they had paying customers!

Since we weren’t as tired tonight as we were last night we broke out the cards for some Bolivia. It was agreed that Cathy and I would team up against Steve and Bernie. After the first game went to the ladies in two hands it was only 8.15pm so we decided to play again. After a blistering start for the boys, their luck deserted them and the ladies came from behind for a second win.



Steps: 15,746 (11.61kms)

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Comments

[John Wemhof]

Another trip
I always look forward to your travel blog entries and Bernie's photos. Hope you're all happy and healthy.

[Trabern]

Memories
Hi John, I (finally) photobooked our cycling holiday last year. Bernie’s 50th Birthday trip completed just in time for his 57th Birthday! That is sill one of our best holidays. Glad you are still enjoying our blog. Maybe this year’s will inspire a trip to Oz?? Cheers, Tracey