Saturday 12 January 2019

Melbourne Zoo

This morning we boarded a tram to the Melbourne Zoo. We were there just on opening and had the place to ourselves for a little while at least.

We went into the platypus house early while it was still light in the enclosure. We were very lucky to see one of these unique monotremes so active in well let conditions. It was busy chasing around the couple of yabbies that had survived from yesterday and searching for other tasty treats.


The industrious coatis are always entertaining. The troupe in Melbourne have quite big living area with lots to keep them interested.


This is Mischka the snow leopard. The keepers coaxed her out of her den to do some training. Snow leopards are captivating creatures and to see Mischka interacting with the keepers was quite special.



Harry's favourite was the tiger. She put on a show for us casually swimming the length of her lake. What a show off! Who said the big cats are lazy lay abouts? (Me probably).






We also saw....


 Mountain Gorillas,


Sea lions,



Butterflies,


Red pandas, and many more.
One of the big surprises of the day was the Zoo bakery. As it turns out, there is a proper bakery in the middle of the zoo where they make their baked goods from scratch. So you can get fresh rolls, pastries, sausage rolls & pies. I was very impressed with the pie I had for lunch and it was a huge leap from the expected disappointment of most food outlets in zoos & similar public places.


Before we left the zoo, we went back to see Mischka doing what cats do best....


Lazing around.



This afternoon we went to the tram museum just outside the inner city. Not surprisingly, it was all about trams, from the very old to the relatively new. Harry, in particular, had a great time.


 Another box ticked and another day done.