Melbourne Zoo

The Melbourne Zoo is home to several thousand animals, including Aussie natives like kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and wombats. And don't miss the Australian fur seals or the Australian little penguins: They're too cute to forget. Opening in 1862, it's also the oldest zoo in the country, but that doesn't mean it has an ancient design. Most of the full-time residents are free to roam in landscapes that mimic their own natural habitats.

Many visitors say that you'll need half a day to visit the zoo. One VirtualTourist user says, "If you would like to have a good look through the zoo, allocate at least 4-5 hours." And a TripAdvisor user offers a recommendation, "Pack a picnic and have a nice picnic on the grounds there and have a close up view of the wallabies and kangaroo at the Australian animals exhibit.

The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you'll find it the suburb of Parkville, less than three miles north of Melbourne's city center. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, kids from ages four to 15 get into the zoo for free. (Kids age three and under always get in for free.) But during the week, kids will be charged $12.60 AUD (about the same in American dollars). Adult admission is always $25.40 AUD. For more information, visit the website.