I think everyone likes a good zoo adventure. We caught the ferry from Circular Quay on Captain Cook cruises with a combined ferry and zoo entry ticket. When you get off the ferry (right on the doorstep of the zoo) you can either take a 3 minute walk or take the cable car to the top of the zoo and work your way down. Unfortunately - or not, depending on how you feel about cable cars - the cable car was down for maintenance when we arrived, meaning we took the walk. We were each handed a map on the way in and went on our way. There are plenty of talks and activities throughout the day, including bird and seal shows and animal feedings, meaning you can plan your day around these or simply go at your own pace. It's easy enough to find your way around, with well marked paths and signposts, and make sure you see your favourite animals. Australian animals were obviously number one on our list, leading us to the koalas and kangaroos, the latter of which you can walk through their enclosure - just stick to the path, you wouldn't want to mess with one of these critters! Favourites of the day included the red panda (who was having a bit of a chase with a turkey), big cats, and elephants. read more

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Came here at around 1.30pm after getting lost on the motorway. Thought that for the entry price ($46), I could come back another day but unfortunately that was not the case as the staff mentioned that it is the case if you go to the Western Plains Zoo. Bummed. The zoo closes at 5pm so I had to kind of pick and choose to see the animals according to the map. At 2pm, I managed to stop by the Seals show. There are two types of seals - Australian and Californian. Was pretty amazed after hearing the different facts about these two types of seals. It was a breezy yet bright day while I visited so the outdoor temperature was pretty good. I spotted a dining area next to the Elephant exhibition and grabbed myself a quick lunch. I had chicken strips and chips with gravy on the side. The food cost was quite reasonable but the drink was on the expensive side. I also tried their packet chips (chicken flavored) and it was pretty good too. During my stroll, I had the chance to see the animals I've yet seen so far and a few of "common" ones. I enjoyed the different exhibitions that this zoo has offered and it was definitely a family friendly area. Most people have conversations with closed ones while singles like me had the opportunity to grab good shots of the animals in its habitats. I like the tree kangaroo exhibit as it was something different from what Wildlife Sydney zoo has to offer thus far. There is a "petting zoo" area where children can touch and feed the animals. At some locations of this zoo, you could see the panoramic view of Sydney and you could probably spot the Sydney tower eye. Managed to capture good shots of those as well while I was at this zoo. Parking is $17 all-day. Definitely worth if you start your day here sooner. But overall, I managed to stroll by the zoo and stop at some of the shops to see what souvenirs they carry. If a guide book ($5) will help you in where to look for the animals, I suggest you to get one before starting your exploration. Enjoy!! read more

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It's a very, very small zoo, which is understandable given its proximity to the city centre. There's a ferry that takes you to the zoo directly as well as a super short (less than 5 minutes) cable car ride to the entrance of the zoo. If you don't stop to look at any of the animals, you'll be done walking through the zoo in 20 minutes. Prices of food is reasonable, but after around 2-2:30pm, there's nothing open which puts a damper on the whole mood. read more

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Nice zoo, but they told us that the tram and seal show were closed. Fact was that many of the trails were dead ends due to construction. Had to do a lot more walking because of it. Not only that but when we did get to the other end of the zoo, we had to walk all the way back. I understand that equipment needs to be serviced, but when you close it, provide a bus or another way to get back, or charge less. This is definitely not for someone who is handicapped. There are many places you have to climb stairs. This place would be closed down if it were in the USA. With all that there were a lot of exhibits we liked, but some that really need work. Like they have an app, but it isn't updated to show which trails are closed due to construction. Duh! read more

Absolutely love the TZ. Had such a wonderful day. Next time I will try and go outside of the school holidays as it was pretty busy. What a marvellous view those animals have, lucky ducks! All the animals seem really well loved and taken care of and the animal enclosures are really clean and tidy. The seal and bird shows blew my socks off. Was so cute. And I can't believe that birds can be taught tricks like that! Looking forward to my next visit. x read more

Taronga Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Mosman, NSW

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As far as zoos go, this one is fantastic! Great location from Sydney. You can either drive over the bridge (the long way), or pick up a ferry from Circular Quay and be dropped off right at the gondola (the fun way). Tickets were relatively inexpensive for how much you get to see and experience. My favorite was definitely the seal show and the kangaroos of course! The reason I gave only 4 stars is because they know the koalas are the big attraction so they charge $20 for a photo NEXT to a koala! And most of them were passed out. The zoo in Gold Coast lets you hold and hug koalas. The gondola was great because you could look down into the elephant paddock and other areas. LOTS of places to take photos with the Opera house and the bridge in the background. I went here by myself but there was so much to see, it didn't matter. Some other Aussie animals they have: Tasmanian Devil, Wallabys, platypus, and assorted reptiles. read more

Taronga Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Mosman, NSW

I love Taronga Zoo. I'm willing to gush about this place for hours. I've been to my fair few zoos in my time, but frankly I can't remember half of them, I was about 7 for goodness sakes. Instead Taronga Zoo has become the pinnacle that I hold all other zoos against. I love the animals, I love the views, I love the enclosures. It's a really gorgeous place to walk around, and you can easily spend hours here. It's definitely a lot nicer when all of the enclosures are up and running. My two favourite things are the elephants and the gorillas. The elephants are hilarious to watch, I love seeing the young'uns playing around with their tyres and just generally being kids. And I find the gorillas fascinating, watching their behaviour mirror such 'human' behaviours. Watching a parent interact with their child is great. When you stop at the giraffes, make sure you marvel at the view, and not just their long necks. I have an interstate zoo membership, so I get to come here for free. It's definitely welcomed, because I try to pop into Taronga every time I'm in Sydney. read more

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MUST SEE! I was 2 years old when I went to Sydney back in 2000. I've forgotten a lot about the trip, but one thing I'll never forget is my trip to this zoo. I remember how beautiful and cool it was, the animals and the vibe of the zoo in general. Some people may be against zoos, I am not. The place feels like you're in the wilderness and the employees really care about the animals. There's also a cable car you can take that goes over the zoo. Check it out, great little excursion. read more

I'm not big on Zoos, and that's mostly due to the fact that I usually end up feeling sorry for the animals instead of feeling in awed with the exhibit. But with every tourist and locals that I talked to about things to do in Sydney, one constant thing always came up, and it was "check out Taronga Zoo." I was skeptical, but with about 3 hours to kill and not wanting to walk around Circular Quay for the 50th time, I caved and ventured my way over to the infamous Zoo... and WOW! Taronga certainly lived up to its hype!! If I had to live at a Zoo, Taronga would be my Zoo of choice because it is so open, so free, and very well maintained. I'm glad I gave into the hype. read more

Taronga Zoo - This totally made my day! - Zoos Near Me - Mosman, NSW

We had a wonderful time at the Taronga Zoo! Everything is well organized and maintained; the zoo is HUGE! We spent most of the day touring every bit of the zoo, taking pictures with the koala (too bad we couldn't hold the koala), and admiring the view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from different areas of the zoo. We entered through the main entrance and worked our way through one side of the zoo, took the skyrail (touring from above!) up and went down the other side to completely tour/see every animal they have. Remember to wear sunblock because the sun in Australia is super strong and wear comfortable shoes! read more

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By far, one of the best zoos I have ever visited. The transportaion is a cinch if you take the ferry from Circular Quay and back again. The special animal encounters are educational and fun. The view from the zoo is worth the price of admission. From almost every vantage point, you can take in the Sydney skyline and Sydney Harbour. My only compaint about this zoo would be the food facilities. I found them to be rather uninviting in cleanliness. You don't expect fine dining in these type of facilities, but overflowing trash bins and dirty tables was a bit of a turn off. read more

Those giraffes have a great view of the city! What a great place to put a zoo... Plenty of animals to see. My favorite is the kangaroo/wallaby area where you can pet them. Although the animals are not near, they're still really close to you and are so adorable. Only thing I didn't like were the fees to pay for a picture with a koala. Go to Featherdale Wildlife Park for a free photo! I recommend getting a map and following those green dots. This place is huge, so I also recommend you use the skyway tram to go up and/or down the zoo. Be prepared to do a lot of walking. The ferry to the zoo from Circular Quay was very easy and quick. I also visited on a Monday morning & it was pretty empty. Highly recommended for tourists! read more

Put on your walking shoes and enjoy the entire day seeing all kinds of animals with an amazing view of Sydney Harbour. Although there's lots to see, be patient because there are also a lot of people - locals and tourists alike. read more

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I believe this is one of the best zoos I have visited in my life. Location is outstanding. If you are staying in the city you have to take a ferry to the zoo and the ride is beautiful, the panorama of Sydney from the ferry and from the zoo itself is breathtaking. Don't miss the sky tram, it will bring you up the hill to the zoo entrance while enjoying the view of some of the animals (we focused on the elephants as they had a four month old baby...) and the city. The variety of animals is incredible. Of course the collection of Australian species is more impressive then anything else. The exhibit is designed with a love and care towards the inhabitants of the zoo. Most of everything we were excited about the huge bird cage dedicated to species from NSW and the Blue Mountain. You basically enter a giant cage and you are surrounded by birds flying everywhere, some of them noisy and obnoxious, others funny, doing little tricks, in the end we walked through that space twice as you would need a lot of time and concentration to observe all the species. No need to advertise the fact you will see kangaroos, wombat, platypus, echidna and of course some koalas. The koalas space is nicely done, but the few of them were kind of far away and we couldn't see them well. You can have a picture with koala, but in NSW as per the law you are not allowed to cuddle with them. The best time to visit Taronga zoo is early in the morning. Try to be there at opening hours, it gets extremely busy later during the day and it would not be as enjoyable. Absolutely must visit, when in Sydney! read more

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This must be where the happiest animals in the world come to live. Every exhibit was open and the animals were open to entertaining. The thing that surprised me the most was how good the food was. We ate at the smaller cafe and not the big food court. One tip --- if you eat outside be on the look out for hungry birds. I lost part of my meal to a battle with one of those fat owl looking birds. read more

One of Sydney's must see places! No better way to spend a sunny afternoon than wandering around Taronga zoo. Very well maintained, good shows and great views of the CDB. The entrance is not cheap but they have good deals on yearly or family passes if you feel like going several times a year. It gets very busy in summer and holiday weekends but that doesn't ruin the experience. read more

I fell in love with the Koalas! My SO believes in my past life I was a Koala, for the simple reason that my favorite hobby is sleeping. Let me tell you once I came face to face with this beautiful creature I knew there was some truth in that, haha! The Koala experience is definitely a must do, it's quick, & you don't get to interact with the koalas as much as You'd probably like. However, the experience is well worth it. Apart from the koala experience, most of the other animals I've seen plenty of times in other zoo's around the world. Therefore, I wasn't extremely impressed by it. I do have to say that this zoo has magnificent views of the harbor bridge and Opera House and we did attend during "Sydney live," which made the decoration that much more exciting. I will have to say this zoo is a must see if you're in Sydney and have time. read more

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The Taronga Zoo blows all other zoos out of the water. Perched on a hill in Mosman, the zoo offers stunning vistas of the harbor, with the city (opera house and all) in view. It's best to get here via Ferry from Circular Quay, which is around $6 round trip. A 15 minutes boat ride drops you off at the lower entrance of the zoo, but take the bus up to the main entrance. The zoo is huge, with animals organized into their respective continental zones. Make sure to go into the kangaroo and wallaby habitat--and pet the kangaroos! They won't announce it, but the zookeeper told me it was perfectly fine to do so. Talk about getting close to nature! Also, go through as many sections as you can; there are creepy chambers filled with nocturnal creatures and several pools with marine mammals. Also, make sure to attend the bird show. I thought it would be completely tacky, but it was great fun! While hearing about different types of Australian birds and their distinguishing characteristics, they fly on command right over your head. There are two shows a day, so ask about times when you buy your entrance tickets. The Taronga Zoo is the most enjoyable zoo I've been to because mostly because you feel the zookeepers want to be there. They walk around with smiles and are more than qualified to answer your questions. Spend the whole day here. It's a beautiful place to be when it's sunny. But don't buy any drinks; a small bottle of water is $4! read more

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Taronga Zoo is a brilliant day out. No matter how young or old you are this is the perfect day out. Taronga is a great zoo, it's got the views across Sydney Harbour, it's got the animals, it's got the shows. My tip is to take the ferry across from Circular Quay. Not only is it a lovely way to arrive at the zoo also you can buy a Zoo Pass which includes a return ferry trip from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Wharf and your Zoo entry, including a bus connection to the main entry gate and a sky safari ride at the zoo. The Zoo Pass costs $50.50 and is better value than spending $44.00 on a adult Zoo ticket and then buying your ferry ticket. My other tip is to pack a picnic lunch and some snacks. The food selection isn't amazing, there's not a lot of healthy options and the prices are on the higher side of the spectrum. read more

Taronga Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Mosman, NSW

Due to friends visiting who want to check out the zoo (and the fact I have access to a free pass), I've been about 7 times to this North Shore haven of all things animaly. Located on one of the primest pieces of real estate that Sydney has to offer, Taronga Zoo is a must go-to for any visitors. Not only do they have a fine array of a animals (always a plus for a zoo), but the views over the harbour are fantastic - the giraffes are definitely winning here! Oh, and there are a couple of elephant calves (which are year or 2 old now, so not sure how small they are anymore) which are really cute! It's not the cheapest place to visit ($44 for adult entry, $22 for 4-15 year olds), but it's definitely somewhere you have to visit while you're in town - especially if you're deciding between this and the similarly priced Wild Life Sydney in Darling Harbour - don't be fooled by that place, it's got nothing on Taronga! read more

Taronga Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Mosman, NSW

We'll worth the visit. Just for the view of the city. The animals are the same as any zoo...but being able to see beautiful Sydney in the background just makes it such an amazing experience. Come to this zoo! read more

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I think this is the most beautiful zoo in the world and a must go if you are visiting Sydney. Remember to take ferry and enjoy the view from ferry and cable car. It might be very busy and you should purchase tickets ahead of time if possible. read more

Taronga Zoo - View from the zoo is magnificent - Zoos Near Me - Mosman, NSW

Not a huge zoo, but not a small one either. You'll still spend a few hours here and see a large variety of animals. The coolest part is being able to see kangaroos and wallabies without any barriers between you. The cable car is cool to ride too. The food there is okay, but slightly overpriced as expected. The worst part is the rude people and screaming kids you'll run into, so try to go on a weekday if possible. I happened to go on a weekday but, unbeknownst to me, it was a holiday haha... Take the ferry or bus here! read more

My kids have a love/hate relationship with zoos. They love the animals, they hate captivity. They left happy, and for that, this Zoo gets five stars. We came to the zoo as part of a larger tour so had little control of where we went and perhaps missed out on a bunch of experiences you might have coming by yourself. But we did manage to get a few back-stage walkthroughs -- even got to pet a wallaby. What was most impressive was the guide though. Clearly passionate about animals, preservation of habitats, and seemingly infinitely knowledgable. if you get a chance, spend some time with the tour guides here, if they're all like ours was, it will be well worth it. read more

I love a good zoo and Taronga is pretty up there as far as variety of animals and scenery go. I've always had a bit of an issue with keeping certain animals like the lion and tigers in relatively small compounds. After reading the Life of Pi I've adapted my opinion somewhat - these dudes get it pretty good. Effort free, reliable food is probably their priority and the Taronga zoo keepers seem to be a friendly lot so it's not a bad gig if you're a hungry hippo. The views and the multi-layered landscape of Taronga is the seller for me. You can see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and that crystal blue water for almost any spot in the zoo. Prices are pretty hefty these days but I guess when you consider the cost of upkeep for the animals it's probably pretty reasonable. 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) If you have kids that love the zoo it might be worth your while investing in an season ticket. To get your money's worth you'd want to go at least three times in a year. Most of the parking is metered but if you get there early some of the side streets (within five minutes walk from the gate) are free all day. Catching the ferry to the zoo's doorstep is the way to get there if you want the full harbor experience and you get 10% off the price of your ferry and zoo tickets. read more

Taronga Zoo - Taronga Zoo Entrance - Zoos Near Me - Mosman, NSW

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If you're going to do one thing in Sydney, visit the Taronga Zoo. This place exceeded my expectations and we stayed the entire day! This zoo is lovely -- animals are mostly rescued and your fare for admission goes straight back to helping more animals! Definitely check out the seal show because they are adorable and so, so smart. There are a bunch of cool exhibits and unique animals to see here and they don't look miserable like the cramped small zoos I've been to in the past. Also, you get a killer view by the giraffes of the Sydney Harbour. :) Super easy to get here using the ferry! Definitely recommend visiting Taronga Zoo when in Sydney! So worth it!! [45/100] read more

Nice zoo there was a bit of construction going on and a few exhibits were not open but still a nice day out and plenty of animal still to see and things to do. Took the the water ferry to there and got on the cable car to the entrance which was a bit of fun. The ticket was part of the ferry 2day pass as an added extra. The zoo is a little hilly but good paths and roads to walk on. A good day out and the view over the harbor towards the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is spectacular. read more

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Have been away but ducked in for a quick bite and 'just one' exhibit for our holiday diary. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake Had a great set lunch at THE VIEW fish n chips Outlet Great value considering the full table service and wine selection. Gracefully quiet and attentive staff. read more

Taronga Zoo - Suffice it to say the cheesecake was delicious. - Zoos Near Me - Mosman, NSW

Beautiful grounds but not as many animals as I thought there would be. Pre-purchase your tickets so once you arrive by water ferry you can take the sky cab to the entrance (probably one of the of the best selling points of this place because of the views). Once in the park there's not much cohesion or flow to the place. During the week lots of school kids, weekends packed as well, take your pick. Wish there were more animals, no koalas or crocodiles when we went :( read more

One of the best zoo experiences I've had starting with a ferry ride to get there! The animal enclosures offer great visibility. Some exhibits offer guests ways to immediately help with conservation (e.g. Email to corporations for responsible Palm Oil farming). Be sure to wear good walking shoes because there are lots of hills and a large area to cover. We stayed for nearly 4 hours on a Saturday and enjoyed every moment. read more

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Amazing view of the Opera House and Harbour/Sydney Harbour Bridge! Great selections...not the best map directions...Sky Safari Ride read more

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Cool place to visit great zoo. Fun for the kids and for their parents. Deff on a hot day it's hard to walk around but there is shade everywhere. I loved the giraffes they are so beautiful, on top of the amazing view they got behind them ! read more

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This was a beautiful zoo where you can see many animals you do not see in the USA. Wear sneakers as there is a ton of walking on hilly terrain. Make sure to eat at The View restaurant. read more

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Not happy at all, if you have a pram most areas there is no ramp and you have to carry it even at the zoo entry. Service in general is very bad, food is very expensive. No enough signs to show you the way and very confusing map. No staff to ask. No animals, more animal statues than real animals. Not recommended to anyone. read more

Wonderful zoo! This place is well worth the ferry trip and has great access to all Australian species as well as some global zoo favorites. Super modern, clean, and the food is actually pretty good which can be rare for a zoo! We did the Koala encounter which was super affordable and was a really wonderful experience. read more

It is a great day out with the mrs and the daughter, however being in a wheelchair they need to accommodate to be more inclusive for everyone, it ain't l easy pushing back up to the top of the park from the bottom in a manual wheelchair, I'm just thankful that one of the drivers of the train / tram let me grab on the back and get a ride back up the top. read more

Did I grow up deprived of an amazing zoo or is this zoo just insanely large and ridiculously awesome? I was expecting a medium-sized zoo with koalas, kangaroos and other animals unique to Australia, but Taronga Zoo is much more than that. With a gorgeous view of the city skyline and the Sydney Opera House, the ferry ride is a treat on its own. Once you dock, there's a 5-minute hike up to the zoo entrance. The best time to visit the zoo is probably an hour or two after it opens, because you'll need more than a couple hours and most of the fun stuff (like the koala encounter!) happens between 10:30am and 1:30pm. There are a few other events like the koala encounter going on throughout the zoo (both free and paid), including various feeding times, seal show, and other photo opportunities with your favorite animals. Since we got here around 2pm, we had already missed most of these fun events. To add to the disappointment, the sky train was closed that day. I would recommend coming here with a game plan, because it's unlikely that you're going to be able to walk through the entire zoo in a day, even without children in tow. We prioritized the Australian exhibits since my main goal was to see the koalas and wombats, and the Australian exhibits alone took about 2 hours. The paths are stroller-friendly, but it's quite strenuous since some of them are on a steep incline. I would hate to be pushing a stroller uphill on a hot humid day here. There are exhibits that are very much designed with younger children in mind, like the meerkats exhibit, which includes an interactive show on a playground where children are invited to play in close proximity to the meerkats. I was so jealous! I want to play with meerkats too! I thought some of the exhibits could've been better maintained, but I can't complain. I definitely got my money's worth. I highly recommend coming earlier and with comfy shoes. read more

The Taronga Zoo is a must see for anyone visiting the Sydney area. The park is massive and hosts animals large and small from across the planet. The elephant, chimpanzee and tiger exhibits are by far the best I have seen in any zoo. If possible visit the zoo during their annual Christmas party, it is the one time of year the zoo stays open several hours late. As the sun sets and the temperature drops some of the rarer animals come out to play. Make sure to check out the free bird and seal shows, they are really entertaining and amazingly informative... truly worth the wait. read more

This is the best zoo I have ever visited. My two year old son loved it. This is simply a must see while in Sydney.

The Taronga Zoo is the apotheosis of zoos: the animals don't seem depressed, it's interactive for children yet informative for adults, and the setting absolutely cannot be beat. The glimpses of the Harbor Bridge and Opera House seemed to lurk around each corner. The free Sky Safari cable car is not to be missed, and arriving by ferry absolutely transports one from the mundane world to this enclave of experience. read more

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