Discover "Down under" through Mandy's lens: 2010

Taronga is an aboriginal word meaning "beautiful view" and this zoo totally lives up to its expectations ...Officially opened in 1916 (7th Oct), this is one of the most oldest zoos in the world and managed by Taronga Zoological Parks Trust. Spread over 21 hectares this park is home to over 2600 animals of 340 species. Recently elephant breeding program has been successfully implemented and it has no. of different exhibits like Reptile World, African Waterhole, Wild Asia, Great Southern Ocean, Wild Australia etc. The zoo is located at the north end of Sydney Harbour in the suburb of Mosman. It takes about 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay. If you want to take plenty of photos then it requires nearly entire day as there are many bird or animal shows during the day. For more information, please check the link below.

http://www.taronga.org.au/

Here are some of the pics....enjoy!

Wallaby (L) & Red back Kangaroo

Chestnut Teal with cute ducklings

Emu

Black swan duckling

Koala enjoying his lunch of Eucalyptus leaves...no wonder they sleep up to 20 hrs a day

Giraffe

Sudden arrival of Peahen (female peacock) with her young ones...enough to freak few small kids :)

Pelican...

Penguins...

Asian Elephant with trainer...

King of the Jungle

Majestic tiger...

Meercat

Red Panda

Mountain Goat

Hippopotamus...

Ostriches...

Chimps happy to show some moves :)))

Coogee-Bondi beach walk:

Bondi is one of the most famous surf beaches around the world and also one of the closest to the city (approx. 8 km). A coastal walk from Bondi to all the way to Maroubra is known as Eastern beach coastal walk). Coogee-Bondi walk which is part of Eastern beach walk is very popular among the tourists as well as local people, this walk takes about 2 hours (approx. 6 km distance). There are shops to eat and beaches to swim and we can easily spend an entire day as I did. This is mostly level walk with gentle slopes except a slightly steep section...On the way are spectacular coastal views of the Pacific, Waverley Cemetery where many famous australians lay in peace and beaches with different characters (Clovelly-sheltered and safe family beach, Gordon's bay popular for scuba diving & snorkelling & Tamarama- a renowned gay beach).

Following are the major stops along the way from Coogee to Bondi...

Gordon's bay: Popular for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Clovelly: A sheltered beach, safe for children to swim and very popular family spot.

Waverley Cemetery: With a dramatic views of the pacific, this is final resting place for many famous australians such as Henry Lawson (famous poet), Victor Trumper (very famous cricket player arguably in the same league as Sir Don Bradman).

Bronte: Beautiful beach but rough surf...have plenty of cafes around

Tamarama: Renowned for being one of Sydney's gay beaches

Mackenzies point: Views of north and south bondi, also aboriginal whale carving into the rock.

For more information, please check following links.

http://www.frogandtoad.com.au/nsw/sydney/bondi/index.html

http://www.visitnsw.com/town/Bondi_Beach/Bondi_to_Coogee_Coastal_Walk/info.aspx