Having been a staple of the LA Zoo for decades, Australia had changed ever so slightly. Although it is known as the Australia, it has become more of Australasia over the past 2 decades and will be what I’d be referring to the section throughout the review and overview. A species that was once a staple, the Red Kangaroo, seems to have been weeded out by the early 2000’s. It is one of the smaller geographical areas in the zoo, can be explored within 10 to 20 minutes pending on how enthusiastic you are to see each specie. The biggest attractions in Australasia are the Tasmanian Devils, Koalas, and Komodo Dragons. The Tasmanian Devils arrived recently to the zoo a few years ago and are amongst the most interesting zoo animals to see during the day. The Australasia section has 8 exhibits, a couple have different species housed together. A part that has changed a bit over the decades is the Australia House which is a nocturnal house for wombats. Koalas and several other nocturnal Australian fauna made there home there previously until the recent renovation. When the Australia House reopened, it housed approximately 3 to 4 different species. Today it remains a home for wombats. For positives, it’s an easily accessible area and can be completed in a short amount of time. Families can navigate the whole area, children being amused by the unusually beautiful animals of Australasia. In regards to the lineup of animals, it’s a solid group and can introduce the visitors to new animals that you may think were made up. 2 of the newer additions to the Australasia section would the Dragons of Komodo and the very recently built Laughing Kookaburra exhibit. Regarding negatives, they are minimal but noticeable. The Australia House suffers from lack of species due to their history of housing multiple species, allowing for visitors to listen to the sounds created in the darkness. If you have trouble seeing or don’t like the dark, the Australia House is not for you. Even though I don’t have the eyes of a hawk, I would consider myself having good vision see which at times I find the Australia House rather too dark to be able to see much. You’re lucky if you can see the shadow of a wombat at times. Another issue is the almost unchanged structure to the exhibits that are in desperate need of refurbishment. The only part that seems to be recently fixed is the home for the Tasmanian Devils which truly looks like a recreated forest in the island of Tasmania. Listed below will be a mini tour of the Australasia section, typically which I do starting along the right side of the entrance.
Right side of entrance, first exhibit:
Tasmanian Devil
Right side of entrance, second exhibit:
Double Wattled Cassowary
Left side of entrance, first exhibit:
Western Grey Kangaroo
Left side of entrance, second exhibit:
Koala
Short Beaked Echidna
Tammar Wallaby
Tall and wide cylindrical center exhibit:
Rhinoceros Hornbill
Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby
Dragons of Komodo exhibit:
Komodo Dragon
Perente
Laughing Kookaburra exhibit
Laughing Kookaburra
Australia House nocturnal house:
Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat
Although minuscule in size, Australasia is very fun and intriguing to zoo visitors every single day. A good tip would be take a stroll on a warm day while getting a delicious churro sundae at the Churro Factory directly across the entrance from Austalasia. There is a Walkabout Australasia tour offered on Saturday and the Tasmanian Devil feedings on Sunday. Will be posting pictures of this section and others as I review each area of the zoo. I hope you all enjoy them and I do enjoy making them!
Right side of entrance, first exhibit:
Tasmanian Devil
Right side of entrance, second exhibit:
Double Wattled Cassowary
Left side of entrance, first exhibit:
Western Grey Kangaroo
Left side of entrance, second exhibit:
Koala
Short Beaked Echidna
Tammar Wallaby
Tall and wide cylindrical center exhibit:
Rhinoceros Hornbill
Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby
Dragons of Komodo exhibit:
Komodo Dragon
Perente
Laughing Kookaburra exhibit
Laughing Kookaburra
Australia House nocturnal house:
Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat
Although minuscule in size, Australasia is very fun and intriguing to zoo visitors every single day. A good tip would be take a stroll on a warm day while getting a delicious churro sundae at the Churro Factory directly across the entrance from Austalasia. There is a Walkabout Australasia tour offered on Saturday and the Tasmanian Devil feedings on Sunday. Will be posting pictures of this section and others as I review each area of the zoo. I hope you all enjoy them and I do enjoy making them!
