Mogo Zoo, NEW SOUTH WALES
Airing Date: Oct 28th, 2002
Mogo could be described as a boom and bust town. In the gold rush days of the 1850s, Mogos population peaked at around 20,000 people. When the gold disappeared, so did the people. Mogos current head count stands at just 230.
Despite the plummeting population, the town has bounced back. Today, Mogo's attractions include a great collection of art, craft shops, galleries, and a fantastic zoo.
Mogo Zoo is no ordinary zoo. In fact, it has nearly as many animals as Mogo has people. Many of the animals are rare and endangered.
One of the zoo's biggest attractions, the Pygmy Marmoset, is the worlds smallest monkey. Other star attractions at Mogo Zoo are the baby cubs, known as Congo and Binji, and the snow leopards from Central Asia.
The animal feeding times are especially fascinating, but at human feeding time, head to the zoos Springbok Caf.
Mogo Zoo has recently expanded. The Primate Islands are one of the most exciting parts of the renovations. These house spider monkeys, ring tailed lemurs, the ruffed lemur and some gibbons.
Another addition to Mogo Zoos urban sprawl is the Brazilian Tapirs area. A Brazilian Tapir is similar to a pig in that their nose acts as a sensitive finger to pull leaves and food into their mouths.
Mogo is a good old fashioned mining town, and if you're curious to see how it was in the old days, head a couple of minutes up the road to Old Mogo Town. Tours run twice a day. The guides provide a light hearted account of Mogos history and characters.
The facts:
Mogo Zoo is open seven days a week and entrance costs $14 for adults and $7 for kids.
Mogo Zoo
Tel: 02 4474 4930
Accommodation at the Broulee Beach Van Park, about 15 minutes from Mogo, costs from $23 for campsites for two people and from $62 per double for cabins.
Broulee Beach Van Park
Tel: 1800 633 590
Entrance to Old Mogo Town including the tour costs $12 for adults and $5.50 for kids.
Old Mogo Town
Tel: 02 4474 2123
