Taronga is an Australian Aboriginal word that roughly translates to ‘beautiful view’. Opened in 1916, Taronga Zoo does not hold the honor of Australia’s first zoo. That belongs to the Melbourne Zoo. The Taronga Zoo cares for over 4,000 animals spread over 350 different species and many of them are endangered. You can find Sumatran tigers, Asian Elephants, chimpanzees, koalas, meerkats, tree kangaroos, giraffes, gorillas, and more.
In 2004, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, attended the opening ceremony for the new bilby exhibit. Also, one of the bilbies was named Bilby George after their son.
The best time to visit Taronga Zoo is September through November. Please remember that the seasons are flipped south of the equator; so, this is Australia’s spring. The weather is cool and the humidity subsides a bit, making for a more enjoyable trip. March through August represents Australia’s runner-up weather. December through February is Australia’s summer. The air is crisp, and the crowds are small. Without question, arriving early at the zoo makes for a better experience.
Getting to the zoo is simple. You can reach the zoo by ferry and takes 10 minutes from Circular Quay. Otherwise, you can take the Zoo Express, which is operated by Captain Cook Cruises. Those who would like to travel by bus can catch the M30 from Town Hall, Central, and Wynyard train stations. Another option is taking the 238 bus from the Balmoral Beach area. If you are traveling through Sydney by train, then you will need to alight at Circular Quay and take the aforementioned ferry.
Taronga Zoo opens from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
A typical tour of Taronga Zoo will take approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete.
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