Taronga Zoo Sydney 2026: Tickets, Sky Safari & Visitor Guide
Taronga Zoo Sydney 2026 visitor guide: tickets, opening hours, how to get there by ferry, must-see animals, the new Sky Safari update, family tips and a sample day plan.
Taronga Zoo Sydney sits on a hillside above the harbour, looking straight back at the city. The slope on the harbour’s north shore is home to thousands of animals from about 350 species, with the city skyline as a permanent backdrop and a 12-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay as the gateway. This complete Taronga Zoo Sydney guide covers tickets, opening hours, the Sky Safari closure and its replacement, must-see animal encounters, food and drink, accessibility, family tips, the Roar & Snore overnight stay, and how to plan a smooth full-day visit.
Taronga Zoo Sydney at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW |
| Opening hours | 9:30am–4:30pm (May–August), 9:30am–5pm (September–April) |
| Adult entry (online) | From AU$51.30 |
| Child (4–15) entry | From AU$29.70 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 kids) | From AU$144 |
| Zoo Express bundle (return ferry + zoo) | AU$85 adult / AU$48 child |
| Animals | 4,500+ across 350 species |
| Time to allow | 5–7 hours |
| Pram and wheelchair access | Yes; some steep paths |
About Taronga Zoo
Opened on 7 October 1916, Taronga Zoo Sydney took its original design from the bar-less enclosures pioneered at Hamburg Zoo. The name “Taronga” comes from a Cammeraygal word meaning “beautiful view.” The zoo is operated as a not-for-profit conservation society and reinvests ticket revenue into wildlife conservation programmes across Australia and the Pacific.
Taronga is one of only a handful of accredited Australian zoos for the Conservation Breeding Program, with active programmes for the Tasmanian devil, regent honeyeater, corroboree frog, plains-wanderer and Bellinger River turtle.
Taronga Zoo tickets and prices
2026 ticket prices (booking online costs less than paying at the gate):
- Adult (16+): From AU$51.30 online (AU$57 at the gate)
- Child (4–15): From AU$29.70 online (AU$33 at the gate)
- Concession (student / pensioner / NSW seniors): From AU$38.70 online (AU$43 at the gate)
- Children 0–3: Free
- Family pass (2 adults + 2 children): From AU$144 online (AU$162 at the gate)
- Taronga Zoo Express (Captain Cook Cruises return ferry + zoo entry): AU$85 adult / AU$48 child
- Wild Australia Experience: AU$182 adult / AU$162 child
- Roar & Snore (overnight glamping): From AU$420 per person
- Annual membership (Zoo Friends): AU$124 per adult plus a AU$20 joining fee; Family Flex from AU$140 per adult plus the joining fee, with children under 16 in the household free
Always book online via taronga.org.au — an adult ticket starts from AU$51.30 online against AU$57 at the gate, and booking ahead saves queuing in school holidays. Tickets are for one day’s entry; the zoo is open 9:30am–5pm from September to April and 9:30am–4:30pm from May to August.
Getting to Taronga Zoo
The classic way to arrive is by ferry — and it’s part of the experience.
By ferry
Catch the F2 Taronga Zoo ferry from Circular Quay; the indicator screens show which wharf it leaves from. The crossing takes about 12 minutes, with harbour views all the way over. For first and last sailings, check the timetable in the Trip Planner at transportnsw.info. Tap on with your Opal card or contactless credit card (AU$7.35 each way). Captain Cook Cruises’ Zoo Express is the alternative, putting its own return ferry and zoo entry on one ticket.
By bus
Route 238 runs from Taronga Zoo wharf up the hill to the zoo’s top entrance and on to Balmoral Beach. From the city, route 100 runs from the QVB to Mosman. Tap on with Opal.
By car
Limited parking at the upper entrance — AU$24 for the day off Bradleys Head Road (AU$12 for Zoo Friends members). Better to take the ferry or bus.
Walking up the hill
The original Sky Safari cable car, which lifted visitors from the ferry wharf to the top of the zoo, closed on 31 January 2023, and its replacement is planned for late 2027 (see below). Until then, the Lower Zoo Entrance is a three-minute walk from the wharf, or bus 238 climbs to the top entrance. In NSW school holidays a free shuttle also runs to its published schedule.
Sky Safari cable car update
The famous Sky Safari cable car — which carried visitors over the giraffe enclosure with harbour views — is currently not running while Taronga builds a new and more accessible experience. The replacement is planned for late 2027, with larger gondolas that fit prams, larger wheelchairs and up to ten people.
Until the new Sky Safari opens, getting up the hill means bus 238 from the wharf to the top entrance, or walking. The free shuttle runs only in NSW school holidays.
Must-see Taronga Zoo animals and exhibits
Australian icons
Start with Nura Diya Australia, the precinct that opened in 2023 where the Australian Walkabout and Nocturnal House used to be — koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas and the elusive platypus, with elevated walkways letting you see them from multiple angles. The Tasmanian Devil exhibit is part of the zoo’s national breeding programme.
Tigers and Pygmy Hippos
Home to Sumatran tigers and pygmy hippos. The zoo’s last two elephants left Sydney for Monarto Safari Park in April 2025.
African Savannah
Giraffes (with the famously photogenic harbour-view feeding station), zebras, lions, kudu and cheetah.
Wild! Rainforest Trail
Opened in July 2005 as Wild Asia and later renamed the Rainforest Trail. Two-toed sloths, sun bears, gibbons and free-flying birds in a walk-through aviary.
Backyard to Bush
Native Australian wildlife in increasingly larger habitats — from suburban back gardens through bushland to the wild outback. Excellent for kids learning about Australia’s biodiversity.
Marine Mammals
The harbour-facing amphitheatre hosts the Seal Show, starring Australian sea lions, Californian sea lions and long-nosed fur seals. Show times are on the day’s programme, with extra presentations in school holidays. Free with admission. Get there 15 minutes early for a good seat.
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Centre
Opened in June 2024, this centre replaced the zoo’s older reptile exhibits. It is also where Taronga breeds the critically endangered Bellinger River turtle.
Free Flight Bird Show
A daily show in which birds such as the Andean condor, red-tailed black cockatoo and galah fly over the audience. Free with admission. The amphitheatre faces the harbour; weather-dependent.
Taronga Zoo experiences and add-ons
- Wild Australia Experience — A keeper-guided tour of about 1 hour 45 minutes, with a close-up koala photo opportunity and a look at the zoo’s conservation work. AU$182 adult / AU$162 child.
- Wild Ropes — High-ropes adventure course suspended above the giraffe enclosure. AU$45–55 add-on.
- Roar & Snore — Overnight glamping in safari-style tents inside the zoo, with keeper-guided experiences after the public goes home, dinner and breakfast. From AU$420 per person.
- Animal Encounters — Limited-availability up-close experiences with a giraffe, koala (no touching or holding) or red panda. Prices vary by encounter: the giraffe encounter is AU$39.95 for up to four people, with zoo entry sold separately.
- Twilight at Taronga concerts — Outdoor summer concert series (December–March) with Sydney Symphony, international touring acts and indie favourites. Tickets AU$90–180.
- Zoo Friends membership — AU$124 a year per adult plus a AU$20 joining fee, with unlimited entry to Taronga’s Sydney and Dubbo zoos, exclusive events and selected discounts.
Photography at Taronga Zoo
Taronga is a photographer’s dream. Best vantage points:
- Giraffe enclosure — Iconic frame: giraffes, harbour, Opera House and Bridge in one shot.
- Seal Show amphitheatre — Harbour backdrop, performing seals.
- Top of the Sky Safari hill — Sweeping panorama of the harbour.
- Tiger walkway — Tigers in their forested habitat.
- African savannah viewing platform — Zebras and giraffes with city skyline.
Tripods are allowed; flash photography is restricted in the nocturnal and reptile exhibits. Zoo photographers also offer paid keepsake photos.
Food and drink at Taronga Zoo
- Top of Taronga Restaurant — Mid-range meals with the city’s most photogenic harbour view from a zoo restaurant. Lunch around AU$25–40 per main.
- View Restaurant — Casual self-service, cafeteria-style, family-friendly.
- Backyard Cafe — Sandwiches, salads, kid-friendly snack boxes.
- Multiple coffee carts and ice cream kiosks across the grounds.
- Picnic areas — BYO is permitted at the Sydney Picnic Lawn near the Sydney Aquarium of native fish; free ice and water refill stations.
The zoo runs a no-single-use-plastic policy, so bring a reusable water bottle.
Taronga Zoo with kids
Taronga is one of Sydney’s best family attractions for kids of all ages. Tips:
- Plan around the Seal Show and Free Flight Bird Show times, and the giraffe encounter’s two-minute feeding session (daily at 10:40am)
- Strollers can be hired from the retail store at the Top Entrance; ask about the charge there
- Strollers can take all paths, though some are steep
- Multiple picnic areas with shade and rope playgrounds nearby
- Free ice and water refill stations
- Kids’ “Junior Keeper” experiences run during school holidays
- The Wild! Rainforest Trail is the most kid-friendly exhibit
- Souvenir shops at the lower and upper entrances
Accessibility at Taronga Zoo
- Paths are sealed with bitumen, but some links between the zoo’s levels are steep, so check Taronga’s accessibility map before you go
- With the Sky Safari closed until its replacement opens, bus 238 links the ferry wharf and the top entrance; a free shuttle runs in NSW school holidays
- Companion Cards are accepted (free entry for the support person)
- Pram and wheelchair hire available at the upper entrance
- Sensory-friendly mornings run periodically — check the official site
- Audio guides in multiple languages
- Accessible toilets at every cluster of exhibits
Roar & Snore overnight experience
One of Sydney’s more unusual stays: on a Roar & Snore night you sleep in a safari-style tent with electric blankets, after guided after-hours experiences, animal encounters and dinner, then wake up to breakfast inside the zoo. From AU$420 per person, including all meals, the after-hours experiences and zoo entry the next day.
Sample Taronga Zoo day plan
9am: Catch the F2 Taronga Zoo ferry from Circular Quay (12 minutes; the screens show the wharf).
9:30am: Arrive and take bus 238 from the wharf to the upper entrance (in NSW school holidays the free shuttle also runs).
9:45am–11am: Nura Diya Australia (koalas, kangaroos, platypus).
11am: Seal Show.
11:30am: African Savannah (giraffes, zebras, lions).
Noon: Free Flight Bird Show.
12:30pm: Lunch at one of the zoo’s cafes.
2pm: Sumatran tigers and pygmy hippos.
3pm: Wild! Rainforest Trail, or a second Seal Show if the programme has one.
4pm: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Centre, Backyard to Bush.
4:30pm: Walk back down to the wharf for harbour-side ferry views.
5pm: Ferry back to Circular Quay.
Best time to visit Taronga Zoo
- Weekdays are quieter than weekends.
- Outside school holidays for less-crowded exhibits.
- Mornings show the most active animals — many big cats nap mid-afternoon.
- Cooler months (April–October) are more comfortable for prolonged outdoor visits.
- Avoid peak rain — many exhibits are outdoor; the cable car (when running) is closed in high winds.
Taronga Zoo Sydney vs. other Sydney wildlife options
If you have time for only one wildlife experience in Sydney:
- Taronga Zoo — Large collection, harbour views, ferry experience. Best overall.
- WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo (Darling Harbour) — Smaller, walkable from the CBD, koala cuddle photo experience. Best if your time is tight.
- Featherdale Wildlife Park (Doonside) — Pat a koala on a paid encounter that comes with a photo. Best for tactile interaction.
- SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium (Darling Harbour) — Marine life, tunnel walks, dugongs.
- Manly Sea Life Sanctuary — Smaller aquarium, more relaxed, great with younger kids.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Taronga Zoo tickets?
Online adult tickets start at AU$51.30, child (4–15) at AU$29.70, and the family pass (2 adults + 2 kids) at AU$144; at the gate they cost AU$57, AU$33 and AU$162. Captain Cook Cruises’ Taronga Zoo Express, which bundles a return ferry with zoo entry, costs AU$85 adult / AU$48 child. Children under 4 are free.
What time does Taronga Zoo open?
Taronga Zoo is open 9:30am–4:30pm in winter (May–August) and 9:30am–5pm in summer (September–April).
How long should I spend at Taronga Zoo?
Allow 5–7 hours. The zoo is home to thousands of animals across about 350 species, with more than 15 keeper talks, presentations and activities each day. Plan to arrive at opening (9:30am) and stay until 3pm if you want to see the major shows.
Is the Taronga Zoo Sky Safari cable car running?
No. The original Sky Safari closed on 31 January 2023. Its replacement, with larger gondolas that take prams, larger wheelchairs and up to ten people, is planned for late 2027. In the meantime, route 238 connects the ferry wharf with the top entrance, and a free shuttle runs during NSW school holidays.
Can you cuddle a koala at Taronga Zoo?
Taronga doesn’t let visitors touch or hold its koalas — but you can see them close up in the Nura Diya Australia precinct, or book a keeper-led koala encounter. To photograph yourself with a koala, head to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour or Featherdale Wildlife Park at Doonside, which both offer paid koala photo experiences.
Is Taronga Zoo worth it?
Yes — Taronga has a harbourside setting with the city skyline across the water, thousands of animals, daily keeper talks and presentations, the experience of arriving by ferry, and active conservation programmes. Plan a full day for the best value.
How do you get to Taronga Zoo from the city?
Take the F2 Taronga Zoo ferry from Circular Quay (12 minutes); check the indicator screens for the wharf. Captain Cook Cruises’ Zoo Express ticket covers a return ferry and zoo entry. Alternatively, take bus 100 from the QVB in the city.
Is Taronga Zoo wheelchair accessible?
Largely, yes. Paths are sealed with bitumen, though some links between levels are steep. Companion Cards are accepted. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free from the Top Plaza Shop (bring ID and sign a disclaimer), and strollers can be hired at the Top Entrance.
Plan more of your Sydney trip
For more on the surrounding area, see our deep dives on the Sydney Opera House tour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the best Sydney harbour cruises and Featherdale Wildlife Park. Pair this Taronga Zoo guide with our top things to do in Sydney, Sydney with kids, where to stay in Sydney, and the best Sydney beaches.
Helpful resources for planning your Sydney trip
For the very latest information on opening hours, ticketing and transport, the following official resources are kept up to date:
- Taronga Zoo official
- Taronga Zoo tickets
- Taronga Sky Safari
- Transport for NSW Ferries
- Roar and Snore Taronga
- Sydney.com Wildlife
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