Taronga Zoo - Meerkats

These adorable animals are so entertaining, I have spent hours watching them before at the zoo. They are so intelligent, cunning, incredibly cute, lazy, and hilariously funny!

Taronga Zoo - The Animals

Did you know that Taronga Zoo hasn't always been located where it is today?

Way back in 1884 the zoo was originally located in Moore Park, Sydney! As this original venue was too small, and developers wanted to adapt the 'no-bars' zoo layout, land was acquired on the other side of the Harbour for the zoo to be relocated to. There is lots of interesting information about the history of the zoo here. I am probably incorrect, but from what I know, the only remaining orignal structure is the elephant temple, which is heritage listed.

Admission Prices (from the website at time of publishing this post)

• Adults $44
• Children (4-15 years) $22
• Children (under 4) Free
• Concession $31.50
• Families SAVE 15%: adult $37.40, child $18.70
  (minimum 3 guests with 1 child aged 4-15 years visiting)

Going to the zoo is a full day experience! Its worth while to plan ahead, and to assist with this, you can use the interactive map on Taronga Zoo's website.

There is plenty of interaction to be found throughout the day - From giraffe feeding, to the famous bird show.

There is a 'food court' and bar at the zoo, but if you are traveling and on a budget - bring a packed lunch and save your money for treats (coffee, ice cream) and souvenirs.

Taronga Zoo is open 365 days a year! Including NYE! If you are in Sydney, I recommend going to the zoo for your NYE celebration. I have been a few times and its great! The views of the harbor and fireworks are amazing!

Taronga Zoo also has a sister zoo located in Western NSW - Taronga Western Planes Zoo, Dubbo - worth a visit, you can cycle your way through this park, or hire a golf buggy!

Taronga Zoo - Getting there

Taronga Zoo has to be on everyone's list of of places to see when they come to Sydney.

Because there is so much to see I'll spread this post out over a couple.

Lets start with getting there...

Sure you can drive to the Zoo, head north over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and battle the traffic down Military Road through Neutral Bay to Mossman, or, you can catch the ferry!

Catching the ferry from Circular Quay has to be everyone's favourite way to get to the Zoo! Its fairly inexpensive and you can bundle your zoo ticket with your ferry fare. There is no better way to see the world famous Sydney Harbour and its icon land marks, The Sydney Opera House, The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park. The ferry trip takes about 20min (don't quote me on that its a rough estimate) and takes you past Mrs Macquaries Chair, Woolloomooloo Navel base and Fort Denison. Have your camera ready as you will be clicking the whole way!

When you alight the ferry at the port at Taronga Zoo, most people (if its included in their pass) will catch the cable car to the top entrance. Although there is a massive hill you can walk up if you like the exercise!

Pretty birdy

Mind your p's and q's

There seems to be a running theme this week, with food and vegetarian cafes.

Badde Manors cafe has two ticks for me.

1. They are completely vegetarian and there are allot of vegan options on the menu!
2. They serve Campos Coffee! (which happens to be the second love of my life introduced to me by the first love of my life. You will become addicted!)

Badde Manors is pretty much open all the time! Well, from 7am until 1am on most days, which is great because you pretty much have vegetarian snack-age available when you need it.

It is located on Glebe Point road, Glebe, just on the outskirts of Sydney. If you're visiting the area for the first time, I would recommend going on a Saturday first. Why? So you can take advantage of the infamous Glebe markets where you can pretty much get anything and everything!

My friend, Tulip and I both ordered the same breakfast. Field mushrooms on sourdough with a side of haloumi... nom nom nom.

If you do come down to Glebe on a Saturday (or any day) head down Glebe Point road and check out all the eclectic shops - and stop in a Natures Energy (I love this place, its health, oils and day spa all in one!)

I crossed a river to Yulli's

Being a vegetarian and a massive food fan, I am always on the look out for great places to eat!

If you find yourself in Sydney, head to Surry Hills, in particular Crown Street (so many amazing places to eat) and be sure to schedule enough time to eat at Yulli's. The night we happen to go, there was a massive down pour of rain, the gutters were overflowing so intensely, it was like a mini rapid to cross!

Its earthy and raw interior is incredibly welcoming, old LP records run a boarder across the side wall, and the relaxed and friendly nature of the staff just make it so cozy!

I have eaten here a few times, and the food is always great. Its tasty and filling, and I love the idea of the 'share' plates, especially if you're with your meat eating friends (yes Gary, this is you), its a great way for them to sample different things and tempt their taste buds further!

The wine list here is also pretty good. But if your not too clue-y on good wine, just ask the waiters!

What did we eat?

We shared... Salt and Pepper Tofu, the Eggplant Involtini, and the Porcini Mushroom and Haloumi Pizza. Sounds like allot? Yep...we were pretty full!

She sells sea shells down at Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach, for me is the ultimate beach for 'beach bums' and holiday makers. Edging onto the beach is a pretty nice looking caravan/cabin park - 50 meters walk and your on that soft sand. The cabins that we rode past looked pretty nice - I'm pretty sure that this link here was for that park. I haven't spent much time at Shelly Beach, but it proves to be a popular location - It was fairly busy for a late Sunday afternoon with distant grey clouds rolling in.

There is a golf course right on the cliffs here. Looks pretty good - but I do not know a thing about golf - views would be amazing and I imagine with the view like that it would be a prime location for weddings and events! www.shellybeachgolfclub.com.au.

There were allot of people out walking their pets and I happen to capture a picture of a little staffy whose name is Frodo (cute). There is a cafe under the surf club (which is an impressive looking surf club). Didn't stop to eat, but it looked like a standard cafe menu and it was packed, so it has to be good.

Stopping by for lunch

When hunger sets in, you also fell like taking in some magnificent photographs and you're driving through Erina, drop in to the Ken Duncan Gallery.

I'd like to say that this is how it happen for me, but I had other plans originally. After trying to get a seat at the Bamboo Buddha and being not successful (always book on the weekends, its that good!) - The idea of visiting the gallery and the cafe popped up.

The cafe is nice - Being on the main road does make a little noisy but if you get a seat towards the back of the cafe you should be fine! The food is tasty and the cafe hosts a customary cafe menu, a little over priced but the coffee is good and so was the service.


The gallery is really quiet nice. the photographs are beautiful and you constantly here the sounds of 'ahh' and 'ooh' and 'whoa' reverberate around the main room, so you know its worth a visit.

www.kenduncan.com

High tea in the tree tops

Tea time? Then jump in your car or bike and head to Avoca! 

Cloaked in the surrounds of the high tree tops, the Avoca Tea House is a quaint and homely spot to relax and unwind with a good old cuppa!

As soon as you walk through the doors of the tea house you are greeted with a bouquet of mouth watering baking and fresh brewing tea.

We came for the 'high tea' experience, and we were not disappointed. Greeted by the owner, we were shown to our table that was laid with cornflower blue napkins and a personal tea pot and cup. 

Having allergies and diet requirements can be hard when eating out anywhere, but not here. When booking the high tea (at least 24hours notice is required as all the luscious treats are made fresh for you that day) I was asked for diet restrictions, and was extremely surprised and elated when I was told they would cater for my gluten free-veggie diet!

The food was perfect - fresh, well proportioned and wonderfully homemade and tasty! Normally gluten free treats tend to be awful and just not worth the indulgence - NOT HERE, AMAZING! If your a coeliac, feel at ease!

The non-gluten free, non-veggie option was just as impressive. Freshly made scones hot from the oven (mouth watering goodness) chocolate truffles, cucumber sandwiches and mini smoked salmon and cream cheese bites!

Both G-free/veggie and 'normal' high teas were amazing and very reasonably priced at $28pp and that is with bottomless tea!

So, lets talk tea... I love tea, and I have to say the tea that they use here is very nice indeed. On this occasion, we tried...

• Earl Grey Romantica (which I purchased, I'm a massive Earl Grey fan and as a very special person to me once said, have it black with just a dash of sugar! AMAZING)
• Organic Cinnamon Black (YUM!)
• Symphony
• Sundance

All in all, it was a great afternoon full of home made goodies, great company with friendly and devoted management and staff.

Head down to Avoca for a day on the weekend! Take your bathers, the beaches are amazing, and have a look around (on a side note there is a very charming little antique shop with the most brilliant art deco diamond rings I have ever seen - Avoca Beach Antiques and gifts.)

The Avoca Tea house doesn't have a website yet, but you can find their full menu and information on their FaceBook here.