Taronga Zoo Sydney is one of the world’s most spectacularly sited zoos. The 28-hectare hillside on the harbour’s north shore is home to more than 4,500 animals from 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 new Sky Safari, must-see animal encounters, food and drink, accessibility, family tips, the Roar & Snore overnight stay, and how to plan a smooth full-day visit.
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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 |
| Child (4–15) entry | From AU$31 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 kids) | From AU$155 |
| Zoo Express bundle (ferry + zoo) | From AU$67 adult / AU$38 child |
| Animals | 4,500+ across 350 species |
| Average visit length | 5–7 hours |
| Pram and wheelchair access | Yes; some steep paths |
About Taronga Zoo
Opened on 7 October 1916, Taronga Zoo Sydney is one of the world’s first modern zoos and Australia’s most-visited paid attraction outside the harbour cruise/ferry network. 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 (purchased online for the early-bird discount up to 20%):
- Adult (16+): From AU$51
- Child (4–15): From AU$31
- Concession (student / pensioner / NSW seniors): From AU$41
- Children 0–3: Free
- Family pass (2 adults + 2 children): From AU$155
- Zoo Express (ferry + zoo + cable car/bus): From AU$67 adult / AU$38 child
- Wild Australia Behind-the-Scenes: AU$155 add-on
- Roar & Snore (overnight glamping): From AU$420 per person
- Annual membership (Friend of Taronga): From AU$165 (great value if you visit twice in a year)
Always book online via taronga.org.au — gate prices are higher and weekends sell out, especially in school holidays. Tickets are valid for one calendar day (entry 9:30am–4:30pm; exhibits stay open until 5:30pm).
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 Wharf 4 at Circular Quay. The 12-minute crossing offers harbour views of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and a passing parade of yachts and cargo ships. Ferries run every 30 minutes from 8:45am. Tap on with your Opal card or contactless credit card (AU$8.39 each way). The Zoo Express ticket bundles ferry + zoo + cable car/bus for the best value.
By bus
The 238 bus from Wynyard or Taronga Zoo wharf takes you up the hill to the main entrance. Tap on with Opal.
By car
Limited parking at the upper entrance — AU$30/day at Bradleys Head Road. Better to take the ferry or bus.
Walking up the hill
From the ferry wharf, the new Sky Safari cable car (currently being upgraded — see below) used to whisk visitors uphill in 6 minutes. With the cable car offline, take the free Zoo Express shuttle bus or walk the 800-metre uphill path (15 minutes, fairly steep). The reverse downhill walk is much easier.
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 redeveloped Sky Safari will return with larger, fully accessible gondolas designed in collaboration with First Nations storytellers, who will provide audio commentary about the local Cammeraygal Country during the ride.
Until the new Sky Safari opens, getting up the hill is via the free Zoo Express shuttle bus from the lower wharf to the upper entrance, or by walking.
Must-see Taronga Zoo animals and exhibits
Australian icons
Start with the Australian Walkabout exhibit — 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.
Wild Asia
Home to Asian elephants (the zoo runs the Australian elephant breeding programme), Sumatran tigers, the world’s largest pygmy hippopotamus collection, and orangutans.
African Savannah
Giraffes (with the famously photogenic harbour-view feeding station), zebras, lions, kudu and cheetah.
Wild! Rainforest Trail
The newest precinct (opened 2023), modelled on a tropical Asia-Pacific rainforest. 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 twice daily (typically 11am and 3pm) — Australian fur seals, leopard seals and sea lions performing trained behaviours with conservation-focused commentary. Free with admission. Get there 15 minutes early for a good seat.
Reptile World
Includes the saltwater crocodile, taipan, fierce snake (the world’s most venomous), and the unique Bellinger River snapping turtle (Taronga runs the captive breeding programme).
Free Flight Bird Show
Daily at noon — wedge-tailed eagles, Australian native parrots, owls and the resident raven flying over the audience. Free with admission. The amphitheatre faces the harbour; weather-dependent.
Taronga Zoo experiences and add-ons
- Wild Australia Behind-the-Scenes — A 90-minute keeper-led tour that goes into off-display habitats; includes touching a snake, feeding a kangaroo, learning about the breeding programme. AU$155 add-on.
- Wild Ropes — High-ropes adventure course suspended above the giraffe enclosure. Three difficulty levels; from age 5. AU$45–55 add-on.
- Roar & Snore — Overnight glamping inside the zoo, with sunset talks from keepers, a private night-tour after the public goes home, gourmet dinner with harbour views, and breakfast watching the giraffes wake up. From AU$420 per person.
- Animal Encounters — Limited-availability up-close experiences with a giraffe, koala (no holding, just hand-feeding), or red panda. AU$65–95 add-on each.
- Twilight at Taronga concerts — Outdoor summer concert series (December–March) with Sydney Symphony, international touring acts and indie favourites. Tickets AU$90–180.
- Friends of Taronga membership — From AU$165/year, includes unlimited entry, member-only nights and discounts on add-ons.
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.
- Asian elephant exhibit — Skyline view across the harbour.
- Top of the Sky Safari hill — Sweeping panorama of the harbour.
- Wild Asia 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 house and reptile world. The lifeguard-trained zoo photographers offer paid keepsake photos; the digital pack is around AU$30.
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 (11am, 3pm), Free Flight Bird Show (noon), and the giraffe feeding times (around 1:30pm)
- Pram hire is available at the entrance for AU$15
- 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 newest exhibit and most kid-friendly
- Souvenir shops at the lower and upper entrances
Accessibility at Taronga Zoo
- The whole zoo is sealed pathway and wheelchair accessible, though some sections are steep — the upper-to-lower zoo path drops 80 metres
- The free Zoo Express shuttle bus replaces the offline Sky Safari and is wheelchair accessible
- 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 most unique stays: Roar & Snore sees up to 80 guests sleep in heated bell tents on the upper hill, with private after-hours tours, sunset cocktails, gourmet dinner with skyline views, a night safari to see nocturnal animals, and breakfast at the giraffe enclosure as the harbour wakes up. From AU$420 per person, including all meals, the night safari and zoo entry the next day.
Sample Taronga Zoo day plan
9am: Catch the F2 Taronga Zoo ferry from Wharf 4, Circular Quay (12 minutes).
9:30am: Arrive, take the free shuttle bus to the upper entrance.
9:45am–11am: Australian Walkabout (koalas, kangaroos, platypus).
11am: Seal Show.
11:30am: African Savannah (giraffes, zebras, lions).
Noon: Free Flight Bird Show.
12:30pm: Lunch at Top of Taronga Restaurant.
2pm: Wild Asia (elephants, tigers, orangutans).
3pm: Second Seal Show or Wild! Rainforest Trail.
4pm: Reptile World, 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 — Largest 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, 45 min drive) — Hand-feed kangaroos, pat koalas, the most hands-on Sydney wildlife experience. 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, child (4–15) at AU$31, and the family pass (2 adults + 2 kids) at AU$155. The Zoo Express bundle (ferry + zoo + cable-car/shuttle) is the best-value option from AU$67 adult / AU$38 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). Last entry is 4:30pm year-round; gates close at 5pm in winter and 5:30pm in summer.
How long should I spend at Taronga Zoo?
5–7 hours is the typical visit. The zoo covers 28 hectares with around 4,500 animals across 350 species, plus daily seal shows, bird shows and keeper talks. 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?
The original Sky Safari is currently closed for redevelopment. A new, more accessible Sky Safari with larger gondolas and First Nations audio commentary will open in due course. Until then, free Zoo Express shuttle buses run between the lower wharf entrance and upper entrance.
Can you cuddle a koala at Taronga Zoo?
Holding koalas is not permitted in NSW — but you can stand close to them in the Australian Walkabout exhibit and book a paid Animal Encounter (AU$65–95) for hand-feeding access. 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 consistently ranks among the world’s best-sited zoos, with a unique harbour location, 4,500+ animals, daily free shows, 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 Wharf 4 at Circular Quay (12 minutes). The Zoo Express ticket includes the ferry, zoo entry and cable car (when running) at the best price. Alternatively, take the 238 bus from Wynyard.
Is Taronga Zoo wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All major paths are sealed and wheelchair accessible, though some sections of the hill are steep. The free Zoo Express shuttle bus is wheelchair accessible. Companion Cards are accepted. Pram and wheelchair hire available at the upper entrance for AU$15.
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
Continue your Sydney research
Pair this guide with our companion pillar resources:
- Read our complete guide to top things to do in Sydney
- Read our complete guide to where to stay in Sydney
- Read our complete guide to best Sydney beaches
- Read our complete guide to best restaurants in Sydney
- Read our complete guide to Sydney transport guide
- Read our complete guide to best day trips from Sydney