Wild Life Sydney Zoo's Two Newest and Cutest Residents

Come take a peek at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo's two newest and cutest residents

Ringo, our adorable bare-nosed baby wombat (pictured right) who's just 10 months old, and our yet-to-be-named baby girl koala who's just seven months old.

Visitors over the school holidays can enjoy over 25 keeper talks and animal encounters, perfect for families looking to get up close to Australia's most iconic animals.

Visitors also have the chance to come face-to-face with our resident koalas and take an amazing photo with them

School Holidays at WILD LIFE Sydney

Hop into WILD LIFE Sydney these school holidays and celebrate Easter with Australia’s Easter Bilby! This long-eared endangered Australian animal is Australia’s new symbol for Easter. Throughout the school holidays WILD LIFE Sydney will have a WILD LIFE Egg Hunt, special Bilby talk and feed sessions as well as our regular keeper talks, feeds and animal encounters.

On your visit, keep an eye out for our ever-expanding group of baby Australian animals including koalas, Frill-necked Lizards, Quolls, and our newest resident, a Golden Brushtail Possum, Bailey! Adorned with huge dark eyes, a little pink nose and a bright yellow fluffy coat, Bailey is settling in as the attraction's golden girl!

Holiday Operators Gloomy. Will Santa Bring Them Tourists?

Sentiment about the performance of the domestic tourism sector is at its lowest point in three years, according to the latest TTF-MasterCard Tourism Industry Sentiment Survey.

TTF chief executive John Lee say it has been a tough year and operators are wary.

“If there’s a brighter spot, it’s that tourism operators are slightly less pessimistic about domestic travel for the upcoming holiday period,” Lee said, “but keep in mind that expectations remain well below average.”

“Continuing global economic upheaval, natural disasters at home and in two of our top inbound markets, and the number of Australians travelling overseas have contributed to the current malaise, especially for leisure tourism operators in regional areas.

“More than 40 % of operators expect international tourism to be worse than usual over the Christmas-New Year period, with only 6% expecting improved conditions.

“Expectations for domestic tourism are more positive, with 15% forecasting improved conditions, against 30% suggesting domestic trade will be worse than usual for the period.

“In other words, tourism operators are not getting their hopes up too high – but they are hoping for better weather than we had for Christmas and January last year, especially in Queensland.”

Lee says the dollar remains a key area of concern.

“57% of respondents rated the strong Australian dollar among the top three factors negatively impacting their business,” he said, “however that’s down from 72%last quarter.

“The survey also shows labour and skills issues continuing to gain prominence, with 88% of operators nominating the skilled labour shortage and two thirds nominating a shortage of unskilled labour as being medium or high impediments to their businesses.”

Edited by : Peter Needham

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au)

Sydney Tourism News and Information: How to Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular

How to Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular - World Tour Premiers in Australia, March 2012.

Global Creatures, the masterminds behind the phenomenon Walking with Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular, and DreamWorks Theatricals are bringing high-flying, fire-breathing dragons to life in an unprecedented live entertainment event for a worldwide audience. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON ARENA SPECTACULAR is an epic arena adventure inspired by the Academy Award nominated DreamWorks Animation firm, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

Sydney Tourism News and Information: How to Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular

A new Australian Animal Adventure opens in time for September school holidays

To coincide with the September school holidays, Merlin Entertainments Group is bringing the ultimate Australian Animal Adventure to Sydney as it officially launches WILD LIFE Sydney, at Aquarium Wharf on 13 September.

Visitors will be taken on an amazing Australian journey as they travel into Australia’s most famous and travelled locations.

Walking through eight iconic Australian habitats, this Australian Animal Adventure takes on average 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish and will see visitors encounter Australia’s most loved and feared animals as they travel to Kakadu Gorge, The Outback, Gum Tree Valley, Daintree Rainforest, Butterfly Tropics and more.

Formerly the site of Sydney Wildlife World an exciting refurbishment took place throughout July and August, and now opens as the brand new attraction, WILD LIFE Sydney. Domestic and international visitors are now offered the opportunity to experience the ultimate Australian Animal Adventure and come face‐to‐face with one of Australia’s largest collection of native Aussie animals.

More than just a new name, WILD LIFE Sydney will feature enhanced interactive displays, inspiring and entertaining daily shows, captivating daily feeding sessions and enhanced walk‐through habitats including Koala Encounters, The Outback and Butterfly Tropics.

WILDLIFE Sydney is home to the un‐bearably cute koala, Australia’s largest kangaroo, the world’s deadliest bird and WILD LIFE’s monster croc, Rex!

To coincide with the official 13 September relaunch, WILD LIFE Sydney will expand its iconic Outback habitat by introducing six baby emus. The cute striped chicks will make their debut in time for the September school holidays. Alongside their neighbour – the towering Red Kangaroo ‐ the baby emus will call the Outback’s Red Centre habitat home, completing Australia’s Coat of Arms in one iconic habitat.

When: The Australian Animal Adventure official launch Tuesday, 13 September
Where: WILD LIFE Sydney, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (right next door to Sydney Aquarium)
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm every day of the year
Cost: Adults $35
Children $18 combo tickets also available combining entry to WILD LIFE Sydney
with Sydney Aquarium, and/or the new Sydney Tower Eye experience, and/or Oceanworld Manly starting at $50 for an adult and $30 for a child.

For more information and exciting updates on WILD LIFE Sydney, please visit:
www.wildlifesydney.com.au

Book nearby accommodation Sydney Accommodation with Metro Hotels

For more information, to arrange an interview or request photography, please contact:
Rachel de Graaf at Hausmann Communications on 02 8353 5787 or
rachel.degraaf@hausmann.com.au