National Zoo and Aquarium

Private zoos tend to be rundown, dinky affairs that seldom offer good value for money or humane animal enclosures. This one, though, looks after 28 endangered species in a nice bushland setting, and has Australia's largest collection of big cats, including even a couple of ligers -- or are they tigons? It's not cheap (A$95/US$86/£43 on weekdays and A$125/US$113/£56 on weekends and public holidays), but the 2-hour ZooVenture Tour is a great way to get up close and personal to tigers, lions, and bears, and is one of the most hands-on animal adventure tours in the country. There's a safety fence between you and the big cats, but that doesn't feel like much protection when you're looking a 110-kilogram (243-lb.) Sumatran tiger in the eye as he takes a piece of meat from your hand. There is also a "Meet a Cheetah" program that takes you inside the cheetah's enclosure and allows you to touch the fastest land animal in the world.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.