Fur, feathers, fine food and family fun — Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is full of little surprises! There are lots of native furry friends and cuddly nursery animals, mini golf, train rides, playgrounds and barbecues. There's rabbit petting, face painting, a treehouse, and a reptile display including the local Brown Snake and Death Adder. All safe behind glass, of course. Visit the crocodile exhibit and cuddle a croc. Treat yourself to breakfast or lunch with some great local coffee and delicious food. Enjoy pancakes, homemade cakes and cookies. Specialties include macadamia baked cheesecake and their famous beef burger infused with macadamia nuts. The shop on the premises offers a wide range of gourmet macadamia products and tastings of hot, roasted nuts. There's a fascinating gift shop and a full display of the macadamia nut industry.

Chester Zoo is home to over 21,000 endangered and exotic animals based in beautiful, award-winning gardens and is the nearest large zoo to Manchester. With over 500 different animal species in their 125 acres, visitors are sure to have an adventure discovering and learning about the amazing wildlife. Conservation and education are at the heart of everything at Chester Zoo. They are committed to providing the highest standards of care for their animals as well as protecting native and international wildlife. Their team of expert and knowledgeable staff work hard to prevent extinction and are passionate about connecting visitors to the natural world. Chester Zoo has a variety of tours and hands-on experiences, as well as daily animal talks to guarantee a day full of animal adventure. Stop for a snack at one of their many restaurants, cafes, and kiosks, including their recently refurbished contemporary British pub, The Oakfield. It's a huge zoo, but there are plenty of options for getting around, including the Zoofari Monorail and the Lazy River Boat Trip on the Islands. Don’t forget to stop in at the gift shop on your way out for a souvenir of your trip.

For experienced divers, the Manta Reef — also known as Rangali Madivaru — is a must-visit diving spot. Once underwater, divers will find themselves at arm's length from the majestic Manta rays, some reaching 3 metres in size. Visitors to the area must carefully follow instructions given to them, so as to minimise the damage done to the reef.

Kashima Island is a distinctive mountain in the sea just off the shore of Hojo, on the northern boundary of Matsuyama. Kashima means “Deer Island”, and you can easily spot wild deer in its forest. Just 1.5 kilometres round, it offers a number of good walks around the island and over the top of the mountain. On a clear day, there are spectacular views from the lookout at the top over the Seto Inland Sea. The island is ideal for swimming, fishing and camping.