Top 10 Tips for Visiting Taronga Zoo

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Posted 2023-01-06 by Sue W ⇒ follow

Are you planning a trip to Taronga Zoo in Sydney? If so, then keep reading for 10 tips to help you get through the day - written by my daughter and myself after a trip to the zoo. If you have any more tips, feel free to add them to this list and it will be shown underneath, for others to read. Prepare yourself for a fun day ahead!

1/ Buy your tickets online to save 20% and then you don't have to queue for them at the gate - see here to book.

2/ Check out the shows online and then plan your day around them, as it can take some time to walk from one end of the zoo to the other to catch a show - see here for what's on.

3/ Get there early to avoid the crowds and when the animals are more active in summer. There is parking onsite for $22 per day but get there early to ensure you get a spot.

4/ Visit off-season so you don't have to queue for shows or food. Weekends and school holidays can get very busy, so the quietest time to visit is during the week during the cooler months. We visited in the summer school holidays and the queue for shows started at least 40 minutes prior to the show to get a seat, otherwise, it was standing room only. Next time we will visit in the winter months.

5/ Wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking! Taronga Zoo is on a hill, so you are sure to be walking up and down a lot of ramps and steps. At the bottom of the hill there is a Sky Safari to get you back up to the top which is included in the ticket price, but if the queues are too long then you may need to walk back up to the top entrance.

6/ Take plenty of water, snacks and a picnic lunch, if you don't want to make your day more expensive by eating from the kiosks. This may weigh down your backpack for the first half of your visit, but it is handy to have them on hand for when you want to sit and watch the animals (such as the giraffes and chimpanzees !) If you visit in summer, don't forget sunscreen and a hat! If you do, they have some for sale at the gift shops.

7/ Charge your phone or camera, as you are going to want to take photos all day! A great spot to take a photo is at the giraffe enclosure, as you can get a photo of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and a giraffe, all in the one pic!

8/ Don't promise your children that they will see their favourite animal, just in case their display is getting renovated or the animal is asleep and hard to see. My daughter was excited to see a Red Panda but when we arrived at their area, they were fast asleep up a tree and all we could see were dark mounds!

9/ Take your lightest stroller for the kids, as it is tiring pushing a heavier pram up the hills.

10/ Allow plenty of time for the gift shop at the top entrance, as it has a wide range of toys for kids and adults. Taronga Zoo is a not-for-profit organisation, so your purchases go towards their work for wildlife and conservation in Australia and around the world. See here for details.

Taronga Zoo is a wonderful place to visit, so allow 3-5 hours of exploring to see all the animals and see some shows. Although we were absolutely exhausted by the end of the day, we loved every minute! Why don't you visit for yourself, this weekend?