Taronga Zoo is a really fun place to visit & an excellent thing to do in Sydney. It is hard to see all the animals & shows in one day. The park is massive & has great views into Sydney Harbour.

Transport is fairly easy with Sydney Ferries offering a Zoo Pass package that includes return ferry trip from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo with bus transfer to the main top entrance, Zoo entry ticket &  use of the Sky Safari (gondola lift). Bus service (247) is also available from the city.

If you drive, the Zoo offers parking rates (below), or you can park in surrounding streets for free.

  • 1st 90 minutes Free
  • All Day $16
  • Zoo Friend Member $6

Walk to the main forecourt area. You will see the historical original dome top building (1916) is a nice example of early Australian architectural style. Walk through the main entrance to the right of this building & queue up to buy your ticket (if you have an annual pass or ticket  go straight to the Zoo entry):

  • Adults $44
  • Children (4-15 years) $22
  • Children (under 4) Free
  • Concession $31.50
  • Family: adult $37.40, child $18.70 (minimum 3 guests visiting)

It is not the cheapest day out but is definitely worth doing every few years. Get your map from the information kiosk next to the ticket sales.

Walk down to the Zoo entry.

Once inside everywhere you turn is a new animal to see. There are main paths, trails & shortcuts you take around the Zoo. I first visited the Komodo Dragon & walked through reptile world. Lots of species of snakes. It can be fun trying to spot the specimen in the enclosure.

I missed the bird show but saw the Asian Elephant keeper talk. They have the elephants kick a massive soccer ball around & move some heavy wooden logs. The baby elephants are growing fast quickly but still cute. The talk is good & very popular. It has limited space around the enclosure perimeter so get there on the early side of 1pm to get a good view.

I also saw the Seal show. It is also very good & informative. The seating area is big but still can fill up. Again get there on the early side of 2pm. For parents with small children there is a pram parking area.

There is special areas for the kids to get acquainted with the animals – Kids Zoo, Farm Playground & Kids Trail.

The Sky Safari can offer an easy way back to the top entrance at the end of the day.

Shows, Talks & Encounters

Double check times at Taronga Zoo website.

  • 10:30am to 11:30am Kids Zoo
  • 10:45am Leopard Seal Keeper Talk
  • 11:00am to 2:45pm Koala Encounter
  • 11:00am Seal Show
  • 11:30am
    • Tasmanian Devil Keeper Talk
    • Gorilla Keeper Talk
    • Reptile Kepper Talk
    • Backyard Buddies
  • 12:00pm
    • Reptile Encounter
    • Free Flight Bird Show
  • 12:30pm
    • Owl Encounter
    • Chimpanzee Keeper Talk
  • 1:00pm Asian Elephant Keeper Talk
  • 1:30pm Giraffe Keeper Talk
  • 1:45 to 2:15 Giraffe Encounter
  • 2:00pm
    • Farm Yarns
    • Seal Show
  • 2:15 Big Cat Keeper Talk
  • 2:40pm Penguin Keeper Talk
  • 3:00pm
    • Free Flight Bird Show
    • Spider Keeper Talk
  • 3:30pm Koala Keeper Talk