As someone who’s been lucky enough to explore many of Australia’s zoos over the years, I was surprised to realise that until recently, I’d never set foot in either of Sydney’s two major zoos—Taronga Zoo or the newer Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney. That changed last month when a work trip gave me the perfect excuse to stay overnight and spend a full day visiting both. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive review, but rather a snapshot of my experiences, highlights, and lasting impressions. Spoiler: I had an awesome day.
Stop One: Sydney Zoo – A Modern Marvel in the West
I kicked off the day bright and early at Sydney Zoo, arriving right on opening—and I might even have been the first paying visitor through the gates!
The zoo is set back from the main road but is easily accessible with well-designed entrance roads and spacious parking, clearly built to handle big crowds. The first thing I noticed was GLOW, their seasonal display of illuminated animal lanterns and interactive light sculptures dotted around the grounds. While I’m not usually one for light shows in a zoo, I can see the appeal. It’s a smart way to draw in visitors who might not otherwise spend time at a zoo.
Now, onto the good stuff...
Taronga Zoo – Iconic, Exotic… and a Little Bit Hilly
After wrapping up my visit to Sydney Zoo, I jumped in the car and drove just over an hour across to my second zoo for the day—Taronga Zoo. And my very first reality check? The multi-storey car park, which added an extra $20 to the cost of the visit. But once inside, I quickly realised that Taronga offers something entirely different—something classic, immersive, and undeniably Sydney.
Four things stood out to me right away:
Taronga Zoo is everything you'd expect from a century-old institution—historic, scenic, and packed with animal encounters you won’t find just anywhere. It felt more like a nature walk with animals than a modern attraction, and while that came with a few logistical quirks (hello, hills!), it also gave the place an authentic, almost magical feel.
I’m so glad I made time for both zoos. If Sydney Zoo was the slick, modern new kid, then Taronga is the wise, storied elder—with just as much to offer, especially for those who take the time to explore its leafy corners and rare residents.
Stop One: Sydney Zoo – A Modern Marvel in the West
I kicked off the day bright and early at Sydney Zoo, arriving right on opening—and I might even have been the first paying visitor through the gates!
The zoo is set back from the main road but is easily accessible with well-designed entrance roads and spacious parking, clearly built to handle big crowds. The first thing I noticed was GLOW, their seasonal display of illuminated animal lanterns and interactive light sculptures dotted around the grounds. While I’m not usually one for light shows in a zoo, I can see the appeal. It’s a smart way to draw in visitors who might not otherwise spend time at a zoo.
Now, onto the good stuff...
- Primate Boulevard is a fantastic concept. It’s the first area you encounter, and it immediately sets the tone. The enclosures are well laid out and easy to view from multiple angles. I particularly enjoyed the Ring-tailed Lemurs, chilling beneath their oversized lantern counterparts—yes, I got the photo!
- Having the place virtually to myself early on, I had the luxury of taking in all four primate enclosures at once—Chimps, Capuchins, Lemurs, and Hamadryas Baboons. A rare treat!
- I had a surprising moment of familiarity seeing two chimpanzees recently relocated from Rockhampton Zoo, which I’d visited only a year earlier. Their new home is quite a contrast—less lush than Rockhampton’s jungle-themed enclosure, but well-equipped with climbing poles, ropes, and open space. I couldn’t help but wonder what they thought of the move.
- One thing that consistently impressed me was how lush and established the gardens looked—especially in exhibits like the Red Pandas and Tigers. It’s hard to believe these were only planted around 2019 when the zoo opened.
- I didn’t expect it, but the Camel enclosure became one of the more memorable experiences—visually engaging and... aromatically powerful! I had a laugh watching a group of school kids walk past, all pinching their noses. Personally? I didn’t mind the pungent smell—it added to the immersion!
- The African Boardwalk was another standout. Elevated viewing gives an uninterrupted look at Lions, Hyenas, and the expansive savannah exhibit where Rhinos, Giraffes, Zebras, Ostriches, Nyala, and Guinea Fowl roam. I was especially excited to spot young guinea fowl chicks. Watching lions and hyenas observe the herd through the fences below the boardwalk added a layer of realism that felt almost documentary-worthy.
- Even though reptiles and fish aren’t my usual favourites, I have to give full credit to Sydney Zoo’s reptile and nocturnal house, which they claim is the world’s largest—and it shows. Smart design, world-class displays, and a genuine sense of immersion.
- I also loved the Australian walk-through area, where multiple kangaroo and wallaby species mingle freely. It gives visitors a chance to really observe the subtle differences between them. One curious wallaby even made a cameo from the wombat’s den inside the nocturnal house!
- The zoo layout is intuitive and easy to follow. Although they don’t offer paper maps, there are plenty of signs, and the digital version is easy to use. I revisited the primate and Asian trails before wrapping up and still managed to complete my visit in under three hours—without feeling rushed.
- Animal-wise, the collection is solid. All the "ABC" animals are represented and generally easy to view. I missed a few like the Red Pandas, the new Cheetahs, and the Porcupines (which would’ve been a “lifer” for me), but that’s the nature of zoos. You don’t always see everything.
- I spotted the Orangutans from the car park on my way out—they had ventured out of their night house and were actively exploring their ropes and platforms. It felt like the perfect farewell wave.
Taronga Zoo – Iconic, Exotic… and a Little Bit Hilly
After wrapping up my visit to Sydney Zoo, I jumped in the car and drove just over an hour across to my second zoo for the day—Taronga Zoo. And my very first reality check? The multi-storey car park, which added an extra $20 to the cost of the visit. But once inside, I quickly realised that Taronga offers something entirely different—something classic, immersive, and undeniably Sydney.
Four things stood out to me right away:
- The architecture—from the heritage entrance buildings to the Asian-themed food court and beautifully designed aviaries, there’s a unique charm to the buildings themselves.
- The views—no matter where you are, the sparkling blue of Sydney Harbour seems to pop up between exhibits.
- The lush gardens—walking through rainforest-like paths made the whole experience feel immersive and calming.
- The birds—especially the exotic species. Taronga’s bird collection is truly world-class.
- Of course, that harbourside setting comes with a trade-off: hills. Lots of them. Navigating the zoo means backtracking a few times, and by the end of the day, the steep uphill walk to the carpark definitely made itself known. I didn’t actually pick up a paper map until I was leaving—but in hindsight, it might’ve saved me some extra steps.
- I was unexpectedly delighted by the local wildlife, particularly the many wild Brush-turkeys. I spotted the first one inside the dimly lit carpark, and they were everywhere throughout the zoo. I also loved seeing a flock of Red Junglefowl roaming freely around the tiger village, and guinea fowl strutting around the giraffe enclosure—a fun and naturalistic touch.
- The aviaries were a personal favourite. The Asian bird enclosures especially captured my attention. One standout moment was spotting a Lady Amherst’s pheasant perched high in the rafters among a lively mix of doves and pigeons—it reminded me of the ones I kept at home. It was both nostalgic and inspiring.
- As a lifelong bird lover, I racked up quite a few lifers at Taronga:
- Andean Condor
- Fiordland Penguin (only saw one, diving deep in the tank)
- Regent Bowerbird
- And then there were the rarities: the Bongo antelope, Francois’ Leaf Monkeys, a solo elderly Egyptian Goose (an 18-year-old girl, I later learned), and two male Ruddy Shelducks—all major highlights for me.
- Rain came and went during the afternoon, which shifted the animal activity a bit. Early on, the chimps were under shelter near the viewing glass, and I got a good look at the lions as well. But when I looped back for a second visit, both species had retreated indoors and were out of sight.
- My phone battery started to dwindle by the time I made it to the Great Southern Ocean precinct, so unfortunately, I didn’t get as many photos as I’d hoped. Still, watching the Fiordland Penguin dive and feed at the bottom of the deep tank was mesmerizing.
- Somehow, I missed two entire sections: the Nura Diya Australian Walkthrough (I turned back after the rainforest aviary), and the Reptile House—I genuinely couldn’t find the entrance!
- I was tempted to stay for the 3PM Free Flight Bird Show, which I’d heard great things about, but decided to play it safe and leave enough time to navigate Sydney’s traffic and winding roads back to the airport. Good call, in the end!
Taronga Zoo is everything you'd expect from a century-old institution—historic, scenic, and packed with animal encounters you won’t find just anywhere. It felt more like a nature walk with animals than a modern attraction, and while that came with a few logistical quirks (hello, hills!), it also gave the place an authentic, almost magical feel.
I’m so glad I made time for both zoos. If Sydney Zoo was the slick, modern new kid, then Taronga is the wise, storied elder—with just as much to offer, especially for those who take the time to explore its leafy corners and rare residents.
