Let's Slip-Slop-Slap and Explore A Bit of Australia in San Diego - Australia Part 4

Three local spots with Australia connections

These totem poles welcome you to the Australian Outback section of the San Diego Zoo.

Slip-Slop-Slap is an iconic Australian sun protection campaign which has successfully reduced cancer rates in the Sunburnt country. So let's slip on long-sleeved clothing, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat and go explore three Terhific local spots with Australia connections.

1. The San Diego Zoo

 The San Diego Zoo is home to a fairly new Koalafornia exhibit in the Australian Outback section of the zoo. There you can visit many native Australian animals such as Koalas, Tasmanian Devils, Kookaburras, Wombat and Wallabies. You can also have Breakfast with the Koalas, Adopt a Koala or organize an Aussie Outback Birthday Bash for your child. The San Diego Zoo's website is also a great resource on animal facts. My favorite is the Koala Cam through which you can take a look what the Koalas are doing right now. Usually, not much is happening on the Koala exhibit, as those cute cuddly animals like their beauty sleep.

2. San Diego Botanic Garden 

There is an Australian Garden at the San Diego Botanic Garden. There are kangaroo paws, bottle trees, firewheel trees, and many low water landscape plants. I do not have pictures of the Australian Garden as the Hamilton Children's Garden and the Seeds of Wonder usually take up most of our time. Our family really likes the San Diego Botanic Garden. Every year the landscape looks more mature and there are wonderful children's programs and activities. Thursday Family Nights during summer months are a lot of fun as well. Musical Groups entertain both adults and children.

3. Australian Garden at Balboa Park

The Australian Garden at Balboa Park is located in the Gold Gulch, southeast of the Spreckles Organ Pavillion. In actual fact it is quite difficult to find it. We stumbled upon it when we walked from the international cottages to Independence Point. If you turn from Park Boulevard to President's Way, then the garden will be on the right, just before the parking lot on the right. There are no signs that indicate that you have arrived in the Australian Garden. You'll just have to be on the look out for Native Australian plants and trees. The garden contains Grevellia, Acacia, Callistemon, Banksia, Hakea, Stenocarpus, Leptospermum, Melaleuca, and Gum trees (Eucalyptus). My kids were happy to look at the trees, and especially happy when they found a worm!

Native Australian plants and animals do well in San Diego as the climate is very similar to coastal Australian weather. When I started looking into Aussie things to do in San Diego, I stumbled upon this article: Get a Taste of Australia in San Diego. It is a good read especially for those Australians who are living in Southern California and feeling home sick.

The time is starting to run out and Australia Day is coming up soon. The Australian community is getting together in a park here in San Diego this weekend! Let's hope that the weather and the sun remind them of home!