Taronga Zoo

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.