Werribee Zoo

In between the finals games this weekend (and there are plenty of them: national, state and local footy, and rugby which I am considerably less familiar with), I managed to escape long enough to finally visit the Werribee Open Range Zoo just 30 minutes up the highway. I forgot my camera (a trend lately! - no proof of the footy-end-of-season party either :(  ) but I've borrowed the one at right so you can get a taste of my favorite part of the day.

The Werribee Zoo has a unique open range area where the animals wander in relative freedom. The public (as part of admission) is toured around in buses to get a peek at the unconstrained habits of giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and various antelopes and gazelles. It was pretty cool and there were a few moments when I was jealous of the tour guides.... and the tours they guide. I've never heard of a "touch the animals" tour in the US, have you?

photo from: http://www.welcome2australia.com.au/victoria/werribee/