Sydney zoos & aquariums

Sydney zoo tickets cover a harbour zoo with city views, a zoo in the west with free parking, a wildlife park south of the city, and an aquarium and a koala zoo side by side in Darling Harbour. This page sorts the options by where they are and what you'll see, so you can choose the zoo or aquarium that suits the day you have.

Taronga Zoo on Sydney Harbour

Taronga Zoo general admission gets you into the zoo at Bradleys Head Road in Mosman, where exhibits look back over Sydney Cove, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The African savannah has giraffes, lions, zebras and tigers, and koalas and kangaroos have their own harbour view enclosures. Keepers run the Free Flight Birds and Seals for the Wild presentations.

Getting there by water is half the appeal. The Taronga Zoo entry and return ferry combo includes a return ferry from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour aboard a rocket catamaran with live commentary, and the Taronga Zoo entry with a 2 day harbour ferry pass leaves from Circular Quay Wharf 6 and adds two days of hop on hop off harbour ferries.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is home to the Aussie Big 5: koala, kangaroo, platypus, crocodile and wombat. You walk through the Daintree Rainforest walkthrough past a cassowary, cross the Kangaroo Walkabout and climb to the Koala Rooftop, with daily keeper talks and a digital photo pass included. The Koala Photo Experience is booked separately.

Early risers can book Breakfast with the Koalas at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, a 7.15am buffet breakfast on the Koala Rooftop with a keeper talk and a photo to take home, before the zoo opens up for the day.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium general admission sits at the same address, 1-5 Wheat Rd. Highlights include the Penguin Expedition boat ride past king and gentoo penguins, Shark Valley, Dugong Island and a day and night on the Reef. The Sydney Aquarium Shark Dive Xtreme goes further and puts you in the water with grey nurse sharks and giant stingrays for 30 minutes.

Sydney Zoo and Symbio Wildlife Park outside the city

Sydney Zoo general admission is at Bungarribee in Western Sydney, with free parking and daily keeper talks. The site has no hills or steps, which makes getting around easy, and covers the African Boardwalk, Primate Boulevard with red pandas and tigers, a reptile and nocturnal house and the Bungarribee Dreaming experience on First Nations culture.

Symbio Wildlife Park entry is at Helensburgh, around 40 minutes south of Sydney Airport. You can walk through the kangaroo area, meet koalas, watch daily animal presentations and let the kids loose on the playground and splash park.

Day tours and passes that include wildlife

Wildlife also comes bundled with other things to do. The Blue Mountains Tour and Sydney Zoo Visit starts at Sydney Zoo with a kangaroo feed before heading to the Three Sisters, and the Blue Mountains tour with Featherdale Wildlife Park entry runs as a small group with a guided hike. The whale watching cruise and Taronga Zoo combo puts a morning cruise and a zoo visit on the same ticket.

If you'd rather mix zoo and city sightseeing, the Sydney attractions passes let you combine WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds, all within walking distance of each other.

Frequently asked questions

Which Sydney zoo is closest to the city centre?

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is in Darling Harbour at 1-5 Wheat Rd, right beside SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Taronga Zoo is across the harbour at Mosman and is reached by ferry from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.

Is Taronga Zoo worth visiting in the rain?

Yes, provided you don't mind getting a little wet. The Taronga Zoo product page says it's worth visiting in the rain and suggests bringing an umbrella.

What is the difference between WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Taronga Zoo?

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is in Darling Harbour and focuses on Australian animals, including the Aussie Big 5 of koala, kangaroo, platypus, crocodile and wombat. Taronga Zoo is on the harbour at Mosman, with native and exotic species and views back to the city skyline.

Local tip: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium share one address, so booking both in the same Darling Harbour day saves you crossing the city.

Pick your zoo or aquarium above and get the tickets sorted. Taronga with a ferry ride or a koala breakfast in Darling Harbour, all good days are waiting.