Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

WHAT TO SEE & DO IN SYDNEY 139
to the Observation Center at the Novotel and a guided tour of Stadium Australia
and the Sydney Aquatic Center (including swimming). Tickets are available
from participating venues or the visitor center for A$40 (US$26) for adults,
A$20 (US$13) for children, and A$79 (US$51) for a family.
One of the best ways to get to the Olympic Site is via the Sydney Explorer
bus; otherwise, FJ Tours runs a daily afternoon Olympic Site tour from outside
McDonald’s at Circular Quay leaving at 1pm. It includes a tour of Stadium Australia
and the Sydney International Aquatic Centre, as well as a river cruise, and
costs A$72 (US$47) for adults, A$66 (US$43) for students, and A$36 (US$23)
for children.
Sydney Olympic Site, Olympic Park, Homebush Bay. www.sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au. CityRail: Olympic
Park. Sydney Explorer bus.
Wonderland Sydney If you’re used to big Disneyesque extravaganzas, then
this theme park (until recently called Australia’s Wonderland) might be a bit of a
disappointment—though I guarantee The Demon roller coaster will more than
satisfy in the terror department. Other big rides are Space Probe 7, which is basically
a heart-stopping drop, and a cute and rattly wooden roller coaster called the
Bush Beast. Live shows and bands round out the entertainment options. The
entry ticket also includes admission to a wildlife park, with all the old favorites—
koalas, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, and more. Allow half a day.
100 Wallgrove Rd., Eastern Creek. & 02/9830 9100. www.wonderland.com.au. Admission (includes rides,
shows, attractions, and entrance to Australian Wildlife Park) A$46 (US$30) adults, A$30 (US$20) children,
family tickets only available for wildlife park. Daily 10am–5pm. CityRail: Rooty Hill (trip takes less than 1 hr.);
Wonderland buses leave from Rooty Hill station every 1 ⁄2-hr. on weekends, and at 8:55, 9:32, 10:10, 11:35am,
and 12:14pm weekdays. Wonderland express coach is a convenient way to get to Wonderland Sydney, with
city return transfers available daily from major CBD locations. For bookings and information call 02/9830
9187. Free parking.
’ROOS, KOALAS & OTHER AUSSIE WILDLIFE
The Sydney Aquarium is discussed above on p. 137.
Australian Reptile Park What started off as a one-man operation supplying
snake antivenin in the early 1950s has ended up a nature park teeming with the
slippery-looking creatures. But it’s not all snakes and lizards; you’ll also find
saltwater crocodiles, American alligators, as well as plenty of somewhat cuddlier
creatures, such as koalas, platypuses, wallabies, dingoes, and flying foxes. The
park is set in beautiful bushland dissected by nature trails. A truly devastating
fire burned down the entire park in mid-2000, killing all the animals. The staff
has worked valiantly to start up a new collection, and it’s looking as good as ever.
Pacific Hwy., Somersby. & 02/4340 1022. Admission A$16 (US$10) adults, A$8 (US$5.20) children, A$40
(US$26) families. Daily 9am–5pm. Closed Christmas. Somersby is near Gosford, 84km (52 miles) north of Sydney.
By car: Take the Pacific Hwy. and the Sydney–Newcastle Fwy. (F3); the trip takes about 1 hr. CityRail trains
leave from Central Station for Gosford every 30 min. From Gosford, take the bus marked Australian Wildlife
Park (10-min. ride).
Featherdale Wildlife Park Kids If you only have time to visit one
wildlife park in Sydney, make it this one. The selection of Australian animals is
excellent, and most importantly, the animals are very well cared for. You could
easily spend a couple of hours here despite the park’s compact size. You’ll have
the chance to hand-feed friendly kangaroos and wallabies, and get a photo taken
next to a koala. (There are many here, both the New South Wales variety and
the larger Victorian type.) The park’s newest addition is the “Reptilian Pavilion.”
It houses 30 different native species of reptiles in 26 spectacularly lifelike