Zoos & wildlife in Sydney

Highlights

Open-air zoos

Taronga Zoo is the most popular pit-stop for animal lovers, its home to over 350 species, including giraffes, elephants and tigers. There are also daily bird and seal presentations, and keeper talks on many of the animals. Make a day of it and arrive by ferry from Circular Quay so you also enjoy a boat ride across Sydney Harbour.

Taronga Zoo Sydney, Mosman

In Western Sydney, Sydney Zoo has hundreds of native and exotic animals in open-air safari-style exhibits. Walk among lions and zebras on the African boardwalks, see what animals get up to after dark in the Reptile & Nocturnal House and have a meerkat sit on your shoulder.

Sydney Zoo, Bungarribee

Animals at Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is just a short stroll from Town Hall station and home to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. There are gentle king and gentoo penguins, a dugong called Pig and lots more. Adrenaline seekers will love scuba diving with grey nurse sharks while the less adventurous enjoy riding over the reef in a glass bottom boat.

SEA Life Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is next to the aquarium. If you’re brave enough, you can pat a snake or climb into a crawl space with pop-up windows to get a close-up view of Rocky, a saltwater crocodile that clocks in at over 360kg. You can walk among kangaroos and emus, meet koalas and join behind-the-scenes tours, including python encounters.

Ringo the Wombat at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour, Sydney City

Ringo the Wombat, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Greater Sydney zoos

If getting up close to a koala is on your wishlist, drive out west towards the Blue Mountains to visit Featherdale Wildlife Park – it's one of the only places in Sydney where you can have a close encounter with the native furry friends. Also out west, Zambi Wildlife Retreat is the place to see big cats, including lions, tigers and even a puma. Just south of Sydney you can meet exotic and native animals at Symbio Wildlife Park. Head north for an hour and you’ll get to the Australian Reptile Park, where you can meet Elvis, a saltwater crocodile, and watch snake and spider shows.