Visit The Taronga Zoo: Where Wildlife Comes With A View

Sydney is the largest and most visited destination in Australia. Ever wondered why Sydney is so popular among the locals and the tourists? Well, it’s because Sydney really has it all. If you’re looking for a quiet time by the beach or bustling streets with amazing dining and shopping experience or just escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the beautiful scenery, you’ve come to the right place. It’s easy to see why people start their journey with Sydney first as the city has a lot to offer and appeals to every traveller.

One of the most fascinating things about Australia is its wildlife. You will fall in love with its wildlife.

Located at Mossman bay, Taronga Zoo is one of the largest open zoos in the world and the first open zoo in Australia. In 1884, The Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales opened it’s first Public Zoo at Moore Park. However, in 1908, when the then secretary  Albert Sherbourne Le Souef visited the Hamburg Zoo he was inspired to establish an Open Zoo (bar-less). As Moore park was too small, the New South Wales government granted land north of Sydney Harbour.

Later in 1916, the Taronga Zoo was officially opened. The zoo was divided into eight zoogeographical regions and has been home to 4000 animals over 350 species spread across 28 hectares land. The idea behind the Taronga Zoo was to let the animals have wide-open spaces rather than being caged. Taringa Zoo is a must-visit attraction as you get a chance to witness the wildlife overlooking the stunning Sydney city. Read further to see what the zoo has to offer and how you can fit it into your itinerary. 

Attractions In Taronga Zoo:

Taronga Zoo is one of the most popular wildlife parks in Sydney. Taronga Zoo offers amazing wildlife experiences along with breath-taking views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. It aims at safeguarding the animals and at the same time improve the tourist experiences. It is a perfect place for wildlife lovers, for adults, for kids as there’s so much to see and experience. You can meet native Australian wildlife like Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Koalas, which freely roam around as you pass by the zoo. It is also home to endangered Platypus species. It is also the place where the first elephant male calf was born. 

Besides wildlife, yet another beautiful landscape feature is the Rustic Bridge. This is also one of the oldest attractions in the park as it was built in 1915. 

Things To Do: 

You might be wondering why Taronga Zoo is different from the others. Apart from being bar-less and an open space zoo, it lets you explore the Zoo in a unique way. 

Taronga Sky Safari Cable Ride: 

The cable car ride starts from the lower entrance of the Zoo and takes you all the way to the top entrance. Once you’re at the top, you get a perfect blend of the stunning views of Harbour Bridge and spot the animal enclosures at the same time. 

The round-trip cable car is included in your admission tickets. Once you reach the top, you can walk downhill along the paths surrounding the animal enclosures. One can always take the cable car ride to the top again and begin walking downhill along a different path. 

Animal Encounters: 

If you wish to get up close with the animals and take a picture with them, then you can opt for the animal encounters experience. This experience lets you enter some of the animal enclosures with the help of a ranger and you can take professional pictures taken.

Wild Ropes: 

Looking for an adrenaline-filled way to explore the zoo? The wild ropes course lets you see the Zoo and Sydney from new heights. You can walk, climb or swing the ropes above the zoo and can also get a glimpse of the native Australian wildlife along the way. The course is suitable for all age groups. It takes somewhere between 45 minutes to 2 hours to complete the course depending on the package one has taken.

Stay at Taronga Zoo:

Yes, you read it right. If you wish to stay away from the usual hustle and bustle of the city, then you can opt to stay overnight at the Taronga Zoo. You can choose to stay in the luxurious Wildlife Retreat, settled in the natural landscape of Taronga Zoo or you can stay in Roar and Snore, which are nothing but comfortable safari-style tents offering incredible views of Sydney’s skyline.

Getting There:

There are plenty of transportation options for you to choose from to visit the Taronga Zoo. Some of the best options include: 

By Bus:

If you’re staying close to the city centre, you can take the M30 metro bus to reach the zoo. One can take the busy Sydney Central, Townhall and Wynyard stations and reach within 15 minutes. 

By Ferry:

The best way to reach the Taronga zoo would be by taking a ferry. You can take a ferry ride from Circular Quay and reach the zoo within 15 minutes. Ferries depart every 30 minutes from the Quay. One can also find a ferry from Darling Harbor to Taronga zoo. 

By Train:

You can take a train to the Circular Quay and then take a ferry to reach the zoo. 

By Cab/Taxi:

This is another option you can consider to reach the zoo. However, if you’re looking for a cost-effective mode, then taking public transport would be recommended. 

Visitor Information: 

Entrance Ticket:

For children below 4, the entrance ticket is free of charge. For children between the ages of 4 to 15, the online price is 26.10 AUD and the gate price is 29 AUD. For adults, the online price is 44.10 AUD and the gate price is 49.00 AUD. 

Timings:

The Taronga Zoo is open throughout the week from 9:30 A.M in the morning to 5:30 P.M in the evening. 

Insider Tips: 

• It is advisable to book your tickets online as it is cheaper. Book it in advance so it doesn’t get sold out. 
• Visit the Zoo during weekdays and non-public holidays in order to avoid large crowds.
• There are cafes and restaurants around the zoo. However, it is recommended that you have food outside as it might be cheaper. If not, you can always bring food yourself and have a nice picnic at the zoo. 
• The Taronga Zoo app will help you navigate your way around the zoo.

So, when you’re planning your trip to Australia, be sure to add Sydney as a part of your itinerary. You’ll be surprised to see what the city has to offer! Head to Pickyourtrail for more itinerary suggestions and start planning your own customised itinerary.