This first sphere takes its inspiration from the flora and fauna of eastern Australia. The biome has a diameter of 560 meters and a height of 120 meters. The “bowl” of the biome sports a rock-landscaped perimeter averaging 28 meters in height. Running diagonally from northwest to southeast through the center of the biome is a raised observation causeway with a width of 40 meters.
The causeway rises gently at it’s midpoint to a height of 36 meters above the biome floor, and features 3 lengths of moving sidewalk to assist all visitors in traversing the just over .5 kilometer distance.
The biome features regions of hardwood, coniferous, semi-tropical and Eucalyptus forests, as well as, two water falls and a gently flowing “river” lagoon. The waterfalls are inspired by two actual waterfalls found in Australia. On the western wall is Little Kalimna Falls which is a two tiered fall were the second sections cascades off of a rock ledge into a stable pool.
The second is the source for the in-flow of water for the river/lagoon feature and is loosely based on the Beauchamp Falls. Both falls can be found in the Great Otway National Park in Victoria state.
Within the Eucalyptus is a raised observation center and education/research lab for the study and education of Koala Bears. The facility is open to the public and allows for a Koala-eye-view of the iconic marsupial’s eco-system.
A subterranean observation area opens up the underwater world of the platypus lagoon, and can be accessed from one of the two attached Educational centers which are associated with the Down Under Biome. The observation area is part of the Center for the study of Marsupials. Which features a wide ranging look at the species known as marsupial with special attention to the role of marsupials in Australian ecosystems.
The other center located off of the northwest entrance to the biome is the Center for the Study of Species Diversification on Tasmania.
The goal of every biosphere is to produce the freest possible environment within which to observe, study, preserve and when possible breed animals from unique global eco-systems. It is about giving people an opportunity to experience animals in natural and authentic settings while giving animals their privacy. Through the use of tinted and one-way mirrored glass, camouflage, and hidden cameras, visitors can see animals in as natural a setting as any captivity can allow without interfering with their natural behaviors and rhythms.
The location of The Down Under Biome Sphere is in the far northwestern corner of the Zoo. The Down Under Biome Sphere is the only sphere to have its own dedicated entrance from the exterior of the park.
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