Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is one of the world's most beautiful zoos
A fun 12 minute ferry ride across Sydney Harbour lands you right at beautiful Taronga Zoo. The name Taronga means beautiful view and is certainly appropriate. The zoo is located on a 52 acre site situated right on the north side of the harbour across from downtown Sydney.
Taronga Zoo first opened in 1916 replacing the first zoo in New South Wales that opened in Moore Park in 1884. The concept was to avoid bars and create a more natural environment for the animals. Today the zoo continues with a tradition of conservation and education. It is the first zoo in Australia to successfully breed an elephant and the second to breed a platypus. You can see, photograph and even interact with some of the 2600 animals representing 340 species. Zoo keepers hold interesting talks throughout the day.
For even more spectacular views you can enjoy a ride on the gondola which carries you above the zoo from the Ferry Wharf to the Main Entrance. Since you will probably want to spend the better part of a day here you can get something to eat form Bakhits's Cafe which has a regular dining area or take-out. You can also pack you own picnic lunch taking advantage of the picnic and BBQ facilities located around the Zoo's walking circuit.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: From: $44.49 CAD...May vary slightly due to currency fluctuationsSydney Taronga Zoo General Entry Ticket
Get an up-close look at the animals of the world at Sydney Taronga Zoo — the zoo with a view! Situated on the foreshore of Sydney's magnificent harbor, Taronga Zoo has something for animal-lovers of all ages. This entry ticket provides general admission to the zoo, including the Sky Safari cable car. If you’re interested in seeing or learning about more of the wildlife, optional activities such as keeper presentations, animal encounters, a seal show and bird show are available; some of these activities require an additional cost at your own expense.
From: $122.12 CAD...May vary slightly due to currency fluctuations
Sydney Taronga Zoo General Entry Ticket and Wild Australia Experience
Go behind-the-scenes at Sydney Taronga Zoo for an in-depth, interactive and close up encounter with Australian wildlife. Get close to a wallaby and take photos with a koala during this intimate small group tour which has a maximum of only eight participants. Led by a professional zoo keeper, you'll learn all about Australian animals as you meet them face-to-face at Sydney Taronga Zoo.
Open Now
Hours This Week:- Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia
Phone: (02) 9969 2777
Official Website: Taronga Zoo
Directions
| Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| T2 or T3 + Ferry | Circular Quay | 1 minute |
How to get to Taronga Zoo by
By Train and Ferry: Make your way to Circular Quay Station by Train or Bus and board the Taronga Zoo Ferry which usually operates out of Wharf 2. This is an enjoyable 12 minute ferry ride that departs every 30 minutes at 10 and 50 minutes past the hour on weekdays and every 20 minutes at 0, 20 and 40 minutes past the hour on weekends. Exit the ferry and follow the walkway around the perimeter of the cul-de-sac to the stairs or elevator up to the zoo entrance.
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Reviews
Rated out of 5
Fabulous family day out! All zoo staff were helpful, cheerful, friendly and eager to assist. The displays (Dinosaurs exhibits) were fun and fabulous, and the animals were simply beautiful and very well looked after. I was incredibly impressed with how clean everything was, and how comfortable all of the animals were with people being in such close proximity, which tells me they're well looked after. Enclosures were open and generously sized in most cases, and there was a huge variety of activities and things to see. Lots of opportunities to get up close and personal too - we're now "zoo friends" as a result of such a fabulous visit and will be back often! 👌
Troy Spencer - 3 days ago
Fabulous family day out! All zoo staff were helpful, cheerful, friendly and eager to assist. The displays (Dinosaurs exhibits) were fun and fabulous, and the animals were simply beautiful and very well looked after. I was incredibly impressed with how clean everything was, and how comfortable all of the animals were with people being in such close proximity, which tells me they're well looked after. Enclosures were open and generously sized in most cases, and there was a huge variety of activities and things to see. Lots of opportunities to get up close and personal too - we're now "zoo friends" as a result of such a fabulous visit and will be back often! 👌
Reading all good reviews in here I was expecting a better experience. I went on a hot day and find it really difficult to walk around. The zoo is arranged in a way that you must walk and climb long distances which was very hard for a family with kids. The signs which guide you are not clear, and we ended up seeing just few of what we wanted to see. The trip in all was good, but from where I see it there are many better ways to improve the zoo and attract more people.
Ibrahim Alshardan - 6 days ago
Reading all good reviews in here I was expecting a better experience. I went on a hot day and find it really difficult to walk around. The zoo is arranged in a way that you must walk and climb long distances which was very hard for a family with kids. The signs which guide you are not clear, and we ended up seeing just few of what we wanted to see. The trip in all was good, but from where I see it there are many better ways to improve the zoo and attract more people.
Shreya Kshirsagar - 6 days ago
Graeme Moore - 10 days ago
Plenty of seats available, which is good because walking around all day your feet might get sore. The sky car to the top and walking downhill saves getting sore legs. Food and drinks are a bit more expensive than general Sydney prices, but not exorbitant. Still, you might like to bring your own snacks. They have bubblers available where you can get free water, and the water tastes good. You can also refill your drink bottle there. The exhibits were well done, you can usually see the animals from at least one of the viewing spots. The educational component was good without going overboard like a school lesson. I went on a nice sunny Spring day and the weather was very pleasant. I probably wouldn't want to go when it's raining. While there is plenty of shade available, a lot of that is from trees. The crowds were quite a reasonable size for a Saturday. When there were queues, they weren't very long.
Susan Etheridge - 1 month ago
Plenty of seats available, which is good because walking around all day your feet might get sore. The sky car to the top and walking downhill saves getting sore legs.
Food and drinks are a bit more expensive than general Sydney prices, but not exorbitant. Still, you might like to bring your own snacks. They have bubblers available where you can get free water, and the water tastes good. You can also refill your drink bottle there.
The exhibits were well done, you can usually see the animals from at least one of the viewing spots. The educational component was good without going overboard like a school lesson.
I went on a nice sunny Spring day and the weather was very pleasant. I probably wouldn't want to go when it's raining. While there is plenty of shade available, a lot of that is from trees.
The crowds were quite a reasonable size for a Saturday. When there were queues, they weren't very long. 
Video
Photo Gallery
Gondola from the Ferry Wharf at Taronga Zoo cc licensed photo by BeauGiles 
Ape on a rope! cc licensed photo by Robert Linsdell 
Careful - you are being watched cc licensed photo by Andy Tyler -
Peacock is checked out by children, Taronga Zoo, Sydney cc licensed photo by Dimitry B -
Lion King, Taronga Zoo, Sydney cc licensed photo by Dimitry B -
Sydney Harbour from Taronga Zoo, NYE 2011/12 cc licensed photo by Darren Foreman -
A Thoughtful Meerkat cc licensed photo by Sidneiensis -
IMG_2434 cc licensed photo by Mark Scott Johnson -
cc licensed photo by Sidneiensis -
IMG_2378 cc licensed photo by Mark Scott Johnson -
IMG_3040 cc licensed photo by Mark Scott Johnson -
A large kangaroo sleeping through the heat cc licensed photo by conor.mcdermottroe -
IMG_2602 cc licensed photo by Mark Scott Johnson
