9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (2024)

Delight in the world’s most captivating critters at a Sydney zoo or wildlife park.

Stepping into any one of the incredible Sydney zoos and wildlife parks breathes life into children’s wildest imaginings. But these lush lodgings aren’t just for kids. Filled with fascinating creatures from across the globe, plus remarkable close-up encounters, overnight stays and interactive learning experiences, the city’s most excellent zoos are fit for the entire family. Here, our pick of Sydney’s best.

1. Taronga Zoo Sydney

The jewel in Sydney’s animal playground crown, Taronga Zoo Sydney, is an absolute must for so many reasons. Nestled on the cliffs at Mosman and offering some of the most iconic water views in the city, the Sydney zoo is Australia’s largest zoo and filled with the world’s most intriguing animals.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (1)

Taronga Zoo is renowned for its conservation work. (Image: Destination NSW)

But while more than 5000 animals including an Asian Elephant herd, giraffes, Sumatran tigers, African lions, koalas and kangaroos captivate visitors, there’s also a lot of outstanding conservation research happening behind the scenes.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (2)

Experience one of Sydney’s most iconic sights for yourself at Taronga Zoo. (Image: Destination NSW)

And speaking of behind the scenes, guests are invited to stay the night inside a safari tent as part of Taronga’s Roar and Snore program or in the luxurious Wildlife Retreat, where after-dark access to the zoo’s nocturnal superstars is up for grabs.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (3)

Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo gives you after-dark access to the zoo. (Image: Taronga Zoo)

Opening hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily from May to August and 9.30am to 5pm daily from September to April.

Address:Bradleys Head Road, Mosman

2. Sydney Zoo

More than 4000 animals can be found throughout Sydney Zooincluding the country’s largest reptile and nocturnal collection. With a focus on educating visitors on animal welfare and introducing them to the world’s most unique species, it’s a special place filled with plenty of close-up encounters with the likes of red pandas, tigers, lions, hyenas, capybaras, crocodiles and more.

There’s also an aquarium, home to bull sharks and penguins, located right beside the popular Kids Zone fitted out with plenty of entertainment for pint-sized guests. Plan to stay the entire day as there’s no shortage of fun.

Opening hours:9am to 5pm daily.

Address:700 Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek

3. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Australia’s native animals are showcased in spectacular fashion at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour. Tour its Kangaroo Walkabout, Devil’s Den (home to four very well-cared-for Tassie devils), Koala Rooftop and Wallaby Cliffs enclosures to interact with the country’s most beloved treasures.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (4)

Interact with some of Australia’s most adorable native animals. (Image: Destination NSW)

There are also wombats, freshwater crocs, a Platypus, snakes, birds and spiders to gawk at. Zookeeper talks are scattered throughout the day at this Sydney zoo and if you can make a 7.15am call time, there’s a popular koala breakfast that includes your day’s admission, a buffet brekky and a souvenir photo of you getting up close to a koala to take home.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (5)

Spot a Kookaburra at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. (Image: Destination NSW)

Opening hours:10am to 5pm daily.

Address:Darling Harbour, 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney

4. Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

Greater Western Sydney’s treasured Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park is home to more than 2000 native Australian animals and the world’s largest Australian wildlife collection.

While we’re breaking records, this Sydney zoo also contains NSW’s largest group of koalas so if you’re a fan of the furry tree-huggers, you’ll be spoiled for heart-melting sights. Up-close encounters are also on offer including meet and greets with dingoes, quokkas, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, wombats and more.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (6)

Kids will love the up-close encounters on offer. (Image: Destination NSW)

Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily.

Address: 217-229 Kildare Road, Doonside

5. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Located next door to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquariumis a superb spot to explore all the creatures and ecosystems that lie beneath the water’s surface.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (7)

Explore an underwater wonderland at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium with your family. (Image: Destination NSW)

Boasting an extraordinary collection of animals including giant 100+-kilogram sea turtles, sharks, penguins, tropical reef fish, dugongs, sting rays, jellyfish and more, this Sydney zoo covers it all in beautiful, serene style.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (8)

The aquarium is teeming with life. (Image: Sydney Aquarium)

Shark Valley, a thriving underwater world that flows throughout walkable aisles of glass, is a must and don’t skip the Penguin Expedition to be awed by the stoic waddlers’ majesty.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (9)

Find an array of fascinating marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, daily.

Address:Darling Harbour, 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney

6. Whale watching in Sydney

The ocean’s most magnificent mammals make their way from Antarctica to Sydney’s far-warmer waters between May and November.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (10)

Observe the annual migration of humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

In search of cosy conditions to breed and feed their bubs, whales are spottable right along the coastline with a string of boat tours promising to catch your own unforgettable sighting.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (11)

These gentle giants put on a show for spectators all along the east coast of Australia. (Image: Destination NSW)

Even easier, our whale-watching guide to Sydneygives you a thorough understanding of what to expect, precisely when to spy whales and where you can stand on dry land and avoid a boat trip altogether.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (12)

Spot whales from various vantage points around Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Koala Park Sanctuary

Celebrating our nation’s sleepiest icon, Koala Park Sanctuaryin Sydney’s west opened its doors in 1930 as Australia’s very first koala sanctuary. Guided by its firm focus on caring for and minimising the endless threats to koalas, the Sydney zoo has evolved over the years into a loving home for many native animals.

If you’re there for the park’s namesake attraction, multiple koala presentations are staged daily so you’ll learn everything you need to know about them no matter when you arrive. Additionally, there’s kangaroos, dingoes, emus, wombats and other furry friends to fall in love with elsewhere on-site.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (13)

Spot a koala up close at Koala Park Sanctuary. (Image: Remy Brand)

Opening hours:9am to 5pm daily.

Address:84 Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills, Sydney

8. Calmsley Hill City Farm

Parents of little ones ought to be all over Calmsley Hill City Farm, an engaging farm experience that offers a taste of rural farm life less than one hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD. Featuring live demonstrations where visitors are invited to get their hands dirty milking cows, patting baby animals, riding tractors and even snapping whips, the Sydney animal experience is interactive from every angle.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (14)

Expert staff deliver a range of interactive animal experiences. (Image: Destination NSW)

Prefer your animal encounters from a distance? There’s koala talks and sheep shearing shows plus there’s birds, turtles, camels, horses and other animals to get swept up in.

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (15)

Get a taste of life on the farm. (Image: Destination NSW)

Opening hours: 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Address: 31 Darling Street, Abbotsbury

9. Golden Ridge Animal Farm

Just a 50-minute drive to Dural from Sydney’s CBD will lead you to the gates of Golden Ridge Animal Farm, a delightful destination filled with the baby farm animals of children’s dreams.

Organised in two-hour sessions to ensure every visitor has their fair share of quality time with baby rabbits, chicks, ducklings and more, entry will provide you with several meet and greets plus you can pay additional fees for pony rides, egg collecting and bags of animal feed. If your little one is more fascinated by trucks than animals, the farm features a Digger Zone where kids are invited to safely operate miniature diggers for a small fee.

Opening hours:10am to 2pm weekdays and 10.30am to 3pm weekends, however entry is offered in sessions and opening times may vary.

Address:686 Old Northern Road, Dural

9 Must-See Sydney Zoos and Wildlife Experiences | Australian Traveller (2024)
Top Articles
Top 5 portfeli krypto w 2023 – Dla m. in. BTC, ETH i XRP
Which of the following commands sets the secret password to Cisco
Data reveals most expensive dog breeds in U.S. for 2024 
9 Cara Merawat Router WiFi untuk Internet yang Cepat dan Stabil
Pat Mcafee Racist
Patriot Ledger Obits Today
Cac Card Reader Staples
Hannah Palmer Of Leaked
Craiglist Boat For Sale
Huntsville Body Rubs
The Eminence In Shadow Gogoanime
Christmas concerts, comedy and more: The top 10 things to do in Bay County next week
Best Non Toxic Cutting Board for your Healthy Kitchen - Healthy House on the Block
Cookie Clicker Advanced Method Unblocked
[PDF] GIOCHI SUPPORTATI DAL MAME - Free Download PDF
Genesis 1 Mission Loot Table
Braulio Babo Castellanos
Does Sheetz Drug Test For Weed
Nashville Predators Wiki
Walkthrough - Summertime Saga Wiki
Weld County Sheriff Daily Arrests
Docent Edelsteenkunde & Studieloopbaan begeleider | Schoonhoven | Stichting voor Educatie en Beroepsonderwijs Zadkine
120 Days From 8/23/22
Top 10 Things To Do in Meridian, Mississippi - Trips To Discover
Hurst Or Tonyan
Splunk Stats Count By Hour
123Movies I Am Legend
Powell And Sons Chimney Repair
O-Ring Sortiment online kaufen | WÜRTH
Pokemon Emerald Crest Legendary Locations
Syracuse Deadline
Able To Feel Things Figgerits
Moparts Com Forum
Sherwin Paints Locations
Trumbull County Jail Commissary
Purple Trufflez Strain Leafly
David Baker, biochemist: ‘Now we can build completely new proteins to do exactly what we want’
Flanner And Buchanan Obituaries Indianapolis
Fall Creek Sutlery
Www.21Strepos
Cuddly Country Raised Furball Puppies
Gayforfans Jakipz
Shane Gillis Girlfriend: All About His Dating History, Career & More |Pudelek
[14.18] Challenger Garen Top Guide
Part Time Jobs Petsmart
Opensky Application Status
a que no me dejas capitulo 108
Facility Scheduler Hca North Florida
Dr. David Oualaalou Ethnicity
The Handy Review - Must Read This Before Buying
Osrs Palm Tree Seed
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 6009

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.