Taronga Zoo was on our itinerary while we were in Sydney. Located on the shores of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Taronga Zoo is home to thousands of fascinating animals, including koalas, kangaroos, and platypuses.
Taronga Zoo is open daily:
| May – August | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm |
|---|---|
| September – April | 9:30 am – 5:00 pm |
| New Years Eve | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm |
Self-Guided Tours
General entry fees to Taronga Zoo are:
| Adults | Children | |
|---|---|---|
| $51 AUD ($32.22 USD) | $30 AUD ($18.95 USD) | Prices are as of October 2022. You can check current prices here. |
What’s included:
- Sky Safari Cable Car
- Taronga Zoo Entry Ticket
- Seals for the Wild and Free Flight Birds
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation to the zoo
Admission to the zoo includes access to the Sky Safari cable car, which allows you to see down into the animal enclosures and enjoy sweeping views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline.
Guided Tours
Discover Australian native animals including koalas and kangaroos on a guided tour of Sydney Taronga Zoo with a zoo guide. Get an up-close look at some of the animal’s furry friends by going behind the scenes with the zoo guide. You will learn more than you could on your own and get to explore areas normally off-limits to the public and gain access to areas you couldn’t reach on your own.
Small groups of six people are limited to this tour, which includes Sky Safari tickets at Taronga Zoo.
Guided tour fees are:
| Adults | Children | |
|---|---|---|
| $99 AUD ($62.54 USD) | $69 AUD ($43.59 USD) | Prices are as of October 2022. You can check current prices here. |
What’s included:
- All-day pass to Taronga Zoo
- Sky Safari round-trip
- Small-group guided tour(1.5 hours)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drink
- Transportation to the zoo
What To Expect
I would honestly recommend spending an entire day exploring the zoo, especially if you opt for the guided tour. The Taronga Zoo is home to everything from gorillas to seals and everything in between. Upon entering, you’ll see the Koala bears, Australia’s most iconic animal.
Make sure to check out the shows, feeding times, and animal talks by picking up a map at this point and making your way around the zoo.
A variety of talks and shows will be held throughout the day by keepers to give you a better understanding of what the zoo offers. One of my favorite shows is the seal show, which runs every day at around 2:00 pm.
Before you tackle the tiger trail and Australian bushwalk, grab lunch at the on-site cafe overlooking the elephant enclosure. See kangaroos up close and experience their true beauty.
How To Get There
Any major mode of transportation can be used to get to Taronga Zoo, including car, bus, train, and ferry. The best way to get to the zoo is by ferry. The ride takes only 15 minutes from Circular Quay and gives beautiful views of Sydney Harbor.
The first thing you need to do is obtain an Opal card! This card can be used on ferries, trains, and buses in Sydney. Transportation throughout the area is a breeze thanks to it. There are a number of convenience stores that sell cards. In case you are unsure, locals will be glad to guide you to the right place to buy one.
If you’re in the central city, simply board one of the ferries at Circular Quay and take the peaceful, relaxing ride to the Zoo.
If you’re already on the north side of the harbor bridge, it’s easy to catch buses and taxis to the zoo. Walking along the coast and into the zoo is also possible if you are close enough.
Taronga Zoo Photos
