Sydney boasts a fabulously scenic zoo with animals from around the world living on grounds sitting majestically opposite the Sydney Harbour Bridge skyline.
A trip to the zoo is a definitely a great day out in Sydney. You'll walk through the entrance and see giraffes posing against this amazing skyline – a sight made infamous thanks to instagram, and because these giraffes sure know how to pose. You'll then stroll through the park observing animals in re-created living environments.
A great idea is to jump on the aerial pods on arrival, which take approx ten minutes to move over the park. You’ll get an idea of the entire zoo space, take iPhone snapshots of elephants from the air, and perhaps a selfie of yourself in the pod with that spectacular horizon in the background.
You can plan your day to the Zoo’s busy schedule of animal talks. Perhaps a seal show, or the koala encounter, and then inbetween shows visit your favourite animals. The Australian native black cockatoos with fancy yellow tips are a beautiful sight, and the gorillas are intriguing to watch with such adorable human expressions. Perhaps you'll choose to stroll past the playful seals 'barking' and splashing about in outdoor pools. The seals then dive below the surface into what is the underground viewing pool, if you wander underground to watch them swimming it is a very peaceful moment. Or maybe you'll want to visit the stylish looking zebras in the African Safari section, next to the mountain rams sunning themselves on rocky outdoor slopes.
If you’re more of a reptile person than a cuddly koala fan, head to the reptile centre. Through the safety of glass walls, see the most colourful reptiles living in their own little worlds. Some are ridiculously cute, and some are slithery and … well, snakes. If you are a snake fan you’re in for a real treat – every kind; giant sized pythons, underwater sea snakes, bright green tree snakes, and more. Watch them sleep, slither, and eat.
A trip to the zoo is a full day's activity. If you don't bring your own lunch, the cafe's and eateries are modern, moderately priced, and a nice environment to sit in. Be prepared to fall in love with a milion stuffed animals in the gift stores. There's plenty of paid parking, or nearby residency street parking. And expect to be spending the day with lots of children, the zoo is obviously a popular day trip!
Country: Australia
City: Sydney
Experience: Day activity
Taronga zoo webiste: www.taronga.org.au/