A day with the family at Taronga Zoo is always a fantastic day out. There are loads of animals to see and there are a few break-out zones perfect for younger kids who need a break from all the walking.
Animals
There are over 4000 animals that call Taronga Zoo home, from over 350 different species. Many of the animals found at Taronga Zoo are threatened species and are part of Taronga’s animal conservation programs to keep these animals from becoming extinct. You can see everything from tiny frogs to beautiful big Sumatran Tigers. The tiger experience sees you boarding a plane for a journey into Indonesia where the plants and enclosures take you to another world (so real that our kids kept asking when we were flying back to Sydney).
Some of the other favourite animals to see include the Elephants, Giraffes and Meerkats in the African Safari section. Or sit and enjoy the seal show and learn all about these amazing, intelligent creatures. The Chimpanzees and Gorillas will charm you, and the reptiles are fascinating with everything from a crocodile to turtles, snakes, lizards and even a komodo dragon.
Kid zones
Whenever the walking became a bit too much for the kids, there were strategically placed kid’s areas where we could have a pit stop and a play. In the seal area, there is a small wading pool where we took our shoes off and had a dip in the water, overlooking the harbour.
There are two playgrounds within the zoo grounds. One is in the Backyard to Bush and has a water play zone, climbing tower and slides. This one is part of the Kids Trail, where you can pop into a house and play with some interactive information displays.
The other playground is attached to the Capybara enclosure and has climbing equipment, a tunnel slide, and rope bridges.
Added extras
You can squeeze more into your day at the zoo by booking a session at the Wild Ropes course – with spectacular harbour views, this is a high ropes course like no other in Sydney. Courses include adult and junior courses, with four different courses available from ages 8+. There are also children’s courses available for the little ones for ages 3-8 years, with two different courses – the koala and the possum course!
Another really unforgettable experience is a ride on the cable car over the zoo. Take in the panoramic views of both the zoo grounds and all of its animals from above, and also the stunning, iconic Sydney Harbour views including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
You can also enjoy other fun activities with or without the tribe at Taronga, such as the Summer Concert Series starting in January, or book in for a Roar and Snore package where you can camp at the zoo! Or for something different you can visit Taronga by twilight and see the nocturnal animals in action – or head to Taronga in May for the Vivid experience.
