Advice for Visiting Sydney’s Zoos

SharkFinatic

SharkFinatic

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Hopefully, by 2027, I will be making my first ever trip to Sydney, NSW. I’m aware that there are two major zoos in the Sydney area, the Taronga Zoo and the relatively recently opened Sydney Zoo, and would like to ask those of you who are more familiar with them some questions:
1. If it turns out I only have time to visit one of the two zoos, which one should I pick?
2. If I do have time for both, what’s the best way to plan out my days at each one?
 
snowleopard said:
This thread by @WhistlingKite24 is brilliant and informative. Here can be found extensive reviews of 5 zoos.

Bull Sharks, Bongos and Booroolong Frogs, Oh My!: WhistlingKite24 tours Sydney’s zoos
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Thanks for the link. Also, I should note that I’m not going on this trip alone. I’m going with my mother and maybe one or two other family members, none of whom are as into zoos as I am, and would like to explore other, non-animal attractions in the city, so I’d definitely have to choose between one or two zoological attractions to visit.
 
SharkFinatic said:
Hopefully, by 2027, I will be making my first ever trip to Sydney, NSW. I’m aware that there are two major zoos in the Sydney area, the Taronga Zoo and the relatively recently opened Sydney Zoo, and would like to ask those of you who are more familiar with them some questions:
1. If it turns out I only have time to visit one of the two zoos, which one should I pick?
2. If I do have time for both, what’s the best way to plan out my days at each one?
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Pros and cons/points to consider:

I visited Sydney in November 2024 and visited both Taronga Zoo and Sydney Zoo. Here are some points to consider:

Taronga Zoo is a day out (especially if you go to the shows); whereas Sydney Zoo is a morning/afternoon out.

If you’re staying in Sydney CBD, getting to Taronga Zoo couldn’t be simpler. You can get a ferry from Circular Quay (the tickets are cheap and the ferry terminal for the zoo is clearly marked). By comparison, Sydney Zoo is located in Blacktown and when I visited with @steveroberts, we took a train from the CBD and then had to get a bus to get there. The train was simple and effective; the bus service that day was not.

Taronga Zoo had varying topography that some people have reported to find challenging. Not an issue for me personally, but depending on the fitness of the group you’re travelling with, it’s something to consider. Sydney Zoo by comparison was flat.

Taronga has more species (approximately 350 to Sydney Zoo’s approximately 100).

Points of difference. By 2027, only Sydney Zoo will have elephants; only Taronga Zoo will have Indian rhinoceros. Sydney Zoo currently has Spotted hyena, African wild dog, Sumatran orangutan, Hamadryas baboon (none of which are at Taronga); while Taronga has Pygmy hippopotamus, Francois langurs, Malayan sun bear, Andean condor and pinnipeds (none of which are at Sydney Zoo). Taronga also has an Eastern bongo, though he turns 20 this year and will have likely passed by 2027.

Taronga Zoo opened in 1916 and has a fascinating history, with numerous features and buildings of historical interest. If you’re as fascinated by zoological history and architecture as I am, you will have lots to admire at Taronga Zoo. Sydney Zoo is a new zoo, opening in 2019.
 
SharkFinatic said:
Hopefully, by 2027, I will be making my first ever trip to Sydney, NSW. I’m aware that there are two major zoos in the Sydney area, the Taronga Zoo and the relatively recently opened Sydney Zoo, and would like to ask those of you who are more familiar with them some questions:
1. If it turns out I only have time to visit one of the two zoos, which one should I pick?
2. If I do have time for both, what’s the best way to plan out my days at each one?
Click to expand...

I hope you enjoy your trip to Sydney! I would second @Zoofan15's points. As he indicated, Taronga Zoo is centrally located to the Sydney CBD, just across the harbour on the ferry (or the 100 bus from Town Hall, albeit via a less aesthetic journey). If you want to see ABC zoo animals, go to Sydney Zoo, but Taronga Zoo is the more iconic due to its harbour location.

In relation to navigating the slope at Taronga, I would recommend zig-zagging across the map (so you do everything on one particular 'level' of the hill before heading down to the next), or going down the giraffes/tigers side first, then coming back up the hill on the Australian animal side, as the hill seems less pronounced.

That said, if you're arriving on the ferry, there's the opportunity to enter the zoo at the bottom, which may be a good idea as you tackle the hill more gradually (stopping at exhibits and so forth), then at the end of the day, all you need to do is walk downhill in order to get back to the ferry. There is a public bus which can take you to the top as well, which helps.

Sydney Zoo is not really located near other tourist attractions, although is very close to Featherdale Wildlife Park. It may not be an option for you, but you can relatively easily do both in a day (as I have often done), so that could be an opportunity for you to visit more facilities if you would like to.
 
SharkFinatic said:
Hopefully, by 2027, I will be making my first ever trip to Sydney, NSW. I’m aware that there are two major zoos in the Sydney area, the Taronga Zoo and the relatively recently opened Sydney Zoo, and would like to ask those of you who are more familiar with them some questions:
1. If it turns out I only have time to visit one of the two zoos, which one should I pick?
2. If I do have time for both, what’s the best way to plan out my days at each one?
Click to expand...

Abbey said:
I hope you enjoy your trip to Sydney! I would second @Zoofan15's points. As he indicated, Taronga Zoo is centrally located to the Sydney CBD, just across the harbour on the ferry (or the 100 bus from Town Hall, albeit via a less aesthetic journey). If you want to see ABC zoo animals, go to Sydney Zoo, but Taronga Zoo is the more iconic due to its harbour location.

In relation to navigating the slope at Taronga, I would recommend zig-zagging across the map (so you do everything on one particular 'level' of the hill before heading down to the next), or going down the giraffes/tigers side first, then coming back up the hill on the Australian animal side, as the hill seems less pronounced.

That said, if you're arriving on the ferry, there's the opportunity to enter the zoo at the bottom, which may be a good idea as you tackle the hill more gradually (stopping at exhibits and so forth), then at the end of the day, all you need to do is walk downhill in order to get back to the ferry. There is a public bus which can take you to the top as well, which helps.

Sydney Zoo is not really located near other tourist attractions, although is very close to Featherdale Wildlife Park. It may not be an option for you, but you can relatively easily do both in a day (as I have often done), so that could be an opportunity for you to visit more facilities if you would like to.
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Planning your day:

@Abbey offers some good advice on the route to take walking around Taronga Zoo. Taronga’s layout is one of the more convoluted in the region. It’s easy to miss things if not paying attention and can be confusing for first time visitors. Compare this to other zoos in the region such as Auckland and Melbourne, which consist of precincts divided into simple loops; or Hamilton, which is basically one continuous loop.

Sydney Zoo by comparison has a very simple layout. Most people head through the entrance straight down Primate Boulevard. From there, there are two loops - one for exotics; one for Australian natives.

Unlike New Zealand zoos, I didn’t notice an advantage of getting to Taronga or Sydney Zoo early (with the aim of beating the crowds). Both were consistently busy throughout the day. The obvious advantage of getting there early is it maximises what you can do in a day.

Sydney Zoo caters well to large crowds in that the majority of its exotic exhibits are spacious with viewing paths extending around at least 50% of any given exhibit. This means even at busy times, you can get a good view of whatever you’re looking at. Taronga has exhibits like this (notably the chimpanzees, gorillas and the African Savannah); but it holds a lot of smaller species and viewing windows can easily become congested with people.

Keepers talks are a good opportunity to ask questions. Taronga also has shows (a bird show that currently runs twice a day; and a pinniped show that currently runs once a day). Both were good opportunities to see species that might otherwise be off display on your visit.

Personally, I like to allow time to revisit exhibits. It’s not always a luxury everyone will have; but in the event you don’t see something the first or second time, making the time to revisit the exhibit until you do could be something to consider depending on the time you have. To state the obvious, the earlier on in the visit you view the exhibit of an animal you want to see, the more time you’ll have to go back if it’s not there. Most Australasian Zoo Chatters would regard Taronga’s Eastern long-beaked echidna as the most unmissable species due to the fact their male is the only individual of his species in the region. If not visiting New Zealand, Taronga Zoo is also one of only two holders in Australia with Tuatara (though anecdotally speaking, few people seem to see Taronga’s Tuatara).
 
Featherdale is a much worthier visit than Sydney Zoo, if you only have an opportunity for one of them. Especially for an overseas visitor - Featherdale has an outstanding Australian bird collection.
 
Coming back to this thread because I was eyeing the zoos in a couple other Australian cities, specifically Adelaide and Melbourne, and wondered how those zoos compare to Sydney’s and if either of them might be better experiences for a zoo enthusiast. What do those of you have been to them think?
 
SharkFinatic said:
Coming back to this thread because I was eyeing the zoos in a couple other Australian cities, specifically Adelaide and Melbourne, and wondered how those zoos compare to Sydney’s and if either of them might be better experiences for a zoo enthusiast. What do those of you have been to them think?
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I’ve visited all four zoos you mention (Taronga, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide) in the last 18 months and would rate Taronga and Melbourne (with Taronga slightly ahead) as the best I’ve visited in Australasia. Both zoos are easily a full day out, with a diverse range of species. Taronga’s bird show is spectacular and both Taronga and Melbourne have massive reptile houses, showcasing a diverse range of native and exotic reptiles and amphibians.

Adelaide Zoo by comparison came across very dated. Their Giant pandas are their main attraction, which inspires many people to visit. I would regard Adelaide Zoo as a half-day out for a first time visitor.

Sydney Zoo is a new zoo, opened in 2019. It has a modern feel; but I prefer Taronga Zoo for its history and diversity of species (see my post above for a more detailed comparison). Like Adelaide, I would regard it a half-day out.

Ultimately it depends on your schedule. I’d choose Melbourne Zoo over Sydney Zoo; but if you’re in Sydney already, I’d absolutely go to Sydney Zoo. Bear in mind also, Melbourne and Adelaide each have an open range sister zoo within an hours driving distance. Monarto Safari Park (Adelaide’s sister zoo) has many exceptional exhibits; while the highlight of Werribee (Melbourne’s sister zoo) is their 21ha elephant complex. Healesville (another sister zoo of Melbourne) and Moonlit are both within driving distance of Melbourne too and renowned for their native species collections.
 
People have compared the zoos from a zoo fans point of view. I'm coming from the point of view of your non-zoo-fan companions. I'm presuming you are staying in the Sydney CBD.

The clear winner is Taronga. You start and end your day with a delightful 30-minute ferry trip on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. Through your day, you will be treated to some stunning views of that harbour and the city beyond. Some stunning new buildings and exhibits, such as the new reptile house, will be contrasted with historic buildings and established gardens.

Getting to Sydney Zoo will be a drag, a 40-minute drive or 1.5 hours by public transport through anonymous suburbs. The zoo is fine, but the enclosures are uniform and utilitarian. There is nothing particularly exciting about it. Your companions may wonder why they have to travel so far for something so ordinary. For the zoo nerd it is best combined with the nearby Featherdale, for the tourist it is best regarded as a stopover on the way to the popular day tour destination, the Blue Mountains. (Sydney Zoo was built primarily for the residents of western Sydney, who would find a trip to Taronga expensive and time consuming.)

If going to Taronga by ferry, make sure you take the bus to the top gate and work your way down. Taronga is built on a steep slope, and if you start at the bottom your companions might soon tire and start to wonder if it would not be better to return to Circular Quay and have a nice wine and lunch by the harbour, and you will miss out on half the zoo.

By the way, Sydney public transport is easy to use. Just tap on with a credit card on trains, ferries and buses.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’ve visited all four zoos you mention (Taronga, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide) in the last 18 months and would rate Taronga and Melbourne (with Taronga slightly ahead) as the best I’ve visited in Australasia. Both zoos are easily a full day out, with a diverse range of species. Taronga’s bird show is spectacular and both Taronga and Melbourne have massive reptile houses, showcasing a diverse range of native and exotic reptiles and amphibians.

Adelaide Zoo by comparison came across very dated. Their Giant pandas are their main attraction, which inspires many people to visit. I would regard Adelaide Zoo as a half-day out for a first time visitor.

Sydney Zoo is a new zoo, opened in 2019. It has a modern feel; but I prefer Taronga Zoo for its history and diversity of species (see my post above for a more detailed comparison). Like Adelaide, I would regard it a half-day out.

Ultimately it depends on your schedule. I’d choose Melbourne Zoo over Sydney Zoo; but if you’re in Sydney already, I’d absolutely go to Sydney Zoo. Bear in mind also, Melbourne and Adelaide each have an open range sister zoo within an hours driving distance. Monarto Safari Park (Adelaide’s sister zoo) has many exceptional exhibits; while the highlight of Werribee (Melbourne’s sister zoo) is their 21ha elephant complex. Healesville (another sister zoo of Melbourne) and Moonlit are both within driving distance of Melbourne too and renowned for their native species collections.
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So it seems like Melbourne beats Adelaide, but if you had to choose between Melbourne and Taronga, which would you go with? (I already decided if I end up going to Sydney, I choose Taronga Zoo over Sydney Zoo.)
 
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