Just 12 minutes across the Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay is the Sydney’s amazing Taronga Zoo. Open every day throughout the year, this is a must see attraction for visitors to Sydney. For those that choose to drive, the parking lot is off of Bradleys Head Road and costs $15 AUD.

One of the largest zoos of its type in the world, the Sydney Taronga Zoo has more than 2600 animals representing over 340 species. This spectacular city zoo was established in 1916 and is spread out over 21 ha on the Sydney Harbour shore. When you enter the zoo, you step into an amazing world of animals.

The Turonga Zoo has amazing creature encounter programs that allow you to interact with a variety of creatures like koalas, seals, giraffes, and more. Each animal encounter has a fee and its specific rules and limitations. To avoid disappointment, make sure that your group will meet the rules in place before you promise the kids they will have a specific encounter as you are planning your visit.

Like the Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo, the Taronga Zoo in Sydney has a Roar & Snore program. You get to camp out in the park overlooking the incredible Sydney Harbour. The fee for this program includes a delectable supper, animal encounters, a night safari, and a behind the scenes morning walk after breakfast. Where else can you see the city spread out below on one side of you and hear the roar of big cats on the other?

This jewel of a zoo celebrates the aboriginal heritage through its programs, including putting a priority on hiring aboriginal students. The programs include a journey through about 8,000 years of ancient Australia and its aboriginal people and an exploration of the Cammeraigal peoples. Through the aboriginal programs, the zoo celebrates the contribution that aboriginals have made in the conservation of the Australian wildlife.

The public brings injured wildlife to the zoo on a daily basis and these animals are cared for by the wildlife hospital. The goal of is to rehabilitate those creatures and return them to the wild if possible. When injuries prevent a successful release, the animal is provided a home at the zoo. If the animal’s temperament is appropriate, it may be integrated into the educational programs.

Exploring the zoo is an experience that you will not soon forget.

Inland from Sydney at Dubbo and set on over 300 ha, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo will capture your heart with its incredible displays of creatures in their natural habitat areas. With a myriad of native creatures; as well as creatures from Africa, Asia, and South America; this zoo will entrance you.

A wide variety of educational programs are offered by the Taronga Western Plains Zoo to enhance the experience of visitors and to encourage conservation. One of the best programs, in my view, is the Twilight Safari. For a very reasonable fee, they offer students a unique way to learn more about the creatures of the night. After an evening BBQ, there is a guided tour of the zoo.

Visitors can explore the zoo by foot, car or bicycle on the 7km of roadways and 6km of walking trails. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the areas set up to picnic in with their amazing views. Plan to visit anytime since the zoo is open all year from 9am to 5pm.

To add to the enchantment of this wilderness zoo, the Zoofari Lodge offers the opportunity to sleep over in luxurious safari tents near the African Savannah area. You get to fall asleep listening to the sound of animal nightlife. There is a main house that offers a relaxing bar, a veranda that offers a great view, delectable meals, and a saltwater pool to enjoy an early morning swim in. Everything is included in the price you are quoted except for alcoholic drinks. To top it off, you have an amazing private area from which to view the Savannah exhibit. An absolute must for those that may never get to Africa to be able to watch an incredible sunrise on the savannah. A sleepover in a setting that has a hint of romance and a touch of adventure all wrapped up in one amazing evening.

Like the Sydney Taronga Zoo, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo has a Roar and Snore program. Camp overnight in the zoo and get a guided night “safari”. This delightful program allows you to interact with some of the friendlier animals before you are fed a wonderful outback meal. An educator will take you on a trek through the zoo so that you can catch glimpses of the nocturnal creatures. In the morning, you are treated to another walk after breakfast but this time it is behind the scenes. Through this program you get a terrific adventure while staying perfectly safe.