Hi there

I've been in the ACT for a while now but have just started a family and my DD#1 is now old enough to appreciate animals. I would love to take DD#1 and #2 (6 mths) somewhere to see and maybe even pat animals. But where do you go? The zoo here is quite expensive and DH says that Mogo is a bit too much of a drive for the little ones.

Apart from feeding the ducks at a lake somewhere, there doesn't seem to be anywhere to take them?

You could go for a drive out to Tidbinbilla. Lots of kangaroos and emus. There is also a great playground.

Careful of the red belly black snakes out there. We were there about 4-6 weeks ago and we saw 3 red belly black snakes sleeping on different parts fo the trail. it was very scary. My son almost trode on one. Thankfully it didnt try and bite him but took off. (tidbinbilla). Hopefully the cool change will keep them off the tracks.

There is the walk in bird aviary and reptile place at Gold Creek. Pretty sure you can't pat the wildlife at the reptile place but you can hand feed the birds in the aviary.

A standard family membership for the zoo and aquarium (good for free entry for a year, plus 15% off cafe and gift shop purchases) is $275. Or, adult memberships are $95 and a child membership is $55 for the year (and children under 4 get in with gold coin donation). So depending on the number of adults that will go to the zoo, and how old your children are, a membership might be a good idea. We don't live in Canberra yet, but we will definitely purchase a membership when we arrive later this year. We have a membership to the zoo in our current city, and we use it at least a dozen times a year.

Here's the information page on memberships: http://nationalzoo.com.au/memberships.htm

we went to that playground at tidbinbilla today and it was great. Such a beautiful place. And was very popular today too. Zoo membership is a great idea, I didn't know they did that - thanks. So the aviary will be our next outing. It's a shame there is no native animal park here. I heard there used to be one out on Macs Reef Rd, Bywong.

I used to go there when I was a kid and it has been closed for quite a long time, I would guess almost 15-20 years.

The Farmyard Nursery is excellent - they only do bookings, we've been to birthday parties and a preschool excursion and every time has been fantastic. Might be worth giving them call to get prices and how many they need as a minimum and maybe get a few families together http://www.farmyardnursery.com.au/

It's still a few months away, but keep in mind that Floriade has had a petting zoo for the last few years, and may do so again this year. It's great.