9 must-see Sydney zoos and wildlife experiences

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
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Delight in the world’s most captivating critters at a Sydney zoo or wildlife park.

Stepping into any one of the incredible Sydney zoos and wildlife parks breathes life into children’s wildest imaginings. But these lush lodgings aren’t just for kids. Filled with fascinating creatures from across the globe, plus remarkable close-up encounters, overnight stays and interactive learning experiences, the city’s most excellent zoos are fit for the entire family. Here, our pick of Sydney’s best.

1. Taronga Zoo Sydney

The jewel in Sydney’s animal playground crown, Taronga Zoo Sydney, is an absolute must for so many reasons. Nestled on the cliffs at Mosman and offering some of the most iconic water views in the city, the Sydney zoo is Australia’s largest zoo and filled with the world’s most intriguing animals.

the entrance of Taronga Zoo Sydney, Mosman.
Taronga Zoo is renowned for its conservation work. (Image: Destination NSW)

But while more than 5000 animals including an Asian Elephant herd, giraffes, Sumatran tigers, African lions, koalas and kangaroos captivate visitors, there’s also a lot of outstanding conservation research happening behind the scenes.

Harbour views and giraffes at Taronga Zoo
Experience one of Sydney’s most iconic sights for yourself at Taronga Zoo. (Image: Destination NSW)

And speaking of behind the scenes, guests are invited to stay the night inside a safari tent as part of Taronga’s Roar and Snore program or in the luxurious Wildlife Retreat, where after-dark access to the zoo’s nocturnal superstars is up for grabs.

Roar and Snore at Taronga
Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo gives you after-dark access to the zoo. (Image: Taronga Zoo)

Opening hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily from May to August and 9.30am to 5pm daily from September to April.

Address: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman

2. Sydney Zoo

More than 4000 animals can be found throughout Sydney Zoo including the country’s largest reptile and nocturnal collection. With a focus on educating visitors on animal welfare and introducing them to the world’s most unique species, it’s a special place filled with plenty of close-up encounters with the likes of red pandas, tigers, lions, hyenas, capybaras, crocodiles and more.

There’s also an aquarium, home to bull sharks and penguins, located right beside the popular Kids Zone fitted out with plenty of entertainment for pint-sized guests. Plan to stay the entire day as there’s no shortage of fun.

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm daily.

Address: 700 Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek

3. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Australia’s native animals are showcased in spectacular fashion at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour. Tour its Kangaroo Walkabout, Devil’s Den (home to four very well-cared-for Tassie devils), Koala Rooftop and Wallaby Cliffs enclosures to interact with the country’s most beloved treasures.

animal encounters at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney
Interact with some of Australia’s most adorable native animals. (Image: Destination NSW)

There are also wombats, freshwater crocs, a Platypus, snakes, birds and spiders to gawk at. Zookeeper talks are scattered throughout the day at this Sydney zoo and if you can make a 7.15am call time, there’s a popular koala breakfast that includes your day’s admission, a buffet brekky and a souvenir photo of you getting up close to a koala to take home.

a Kookaburra at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney
Spot a Kookaburra at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. (Image: Destination NSW)

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily.

Address: Darling Harbour, 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney

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4. Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

Greater Western Sydney’s treasured Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park is home to more than 2000 native Australian animals and the world’s largest Australian wildlife collection.

While we’re breaking records, this Sydney zoo also contains NSW’s largest group of koalas so if you’re a fan of the furry tree-huggers, you’ll be spoiled for heart-melting sights. Up-close encounters are also on offer including meet and greets with dingoes, quokkas, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, wombats and more.

a family encounter with dingoes at Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Kids will love the up-close encounters on offer. (Image: Destination NSW)

Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily.

Address: 217-229 Kildare Road, Doonside

5. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Located next door to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is a superb spot to explore all the creatures and ecosystems that lie beneath the water’s surface.

a family enjoying their time at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium,Darling Harbour
Explore an underwater wonderland at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium with your family. (Image: Destination NSW)

Boasting an extraordinary collection of animals including giant 100+-kilogram sea turtles, sharks, penguins, tropical reef fish, dugongs, sting rays, jellyfish and more, this Sydney zoo covers it all in beautiful, serene style.

Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour
The aquarium is teeming with life. (Image: Sydney Aquarium)

Shark Valley, a thriving underwater world that flows throughout walkable aisles of glass, is a must and don’t skip the Penguin Expedition to be awed by the stoic waddlers’ majesty.

a young boy admiring sea creatures at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium,Darling Harbour
Find an array of fascinating marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, daily.

Address: Darling Harbour, 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney

6. Whale watching in Sydney

The ocean’s most magnificent mammals make their way from Antarctica to Sydney’s far-warmer waters between May and November.

two humpback whales passing through Sydney during their migration up the NSW coastline
Observe the annual migration of humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

In search of cosy conditions to breed and feed their bubs, whales are spottable right along the coastline with a string of boat tours promising to catch your own unforgettable sighting.

a humpback whale spotted off Sydney Heads on its annualmigration along the NSW coastline
These gentle giants put on a show for spectators all along the east coast of Australia. (Image: Destination NSW)

Even easier, our whale-watching guide to Sydney gives you a thorough understanding of what to expect, precisely when to spy whales and where you can stand on dry land and avoid a boat trip altogether.

a humpback whale along the NSW coastline
Spot whales from various vantage points around Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW)

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7. Koala Park Sanctuary

Celebrating our nation’s sleepiest icon, Koala Park Sanctuary in Sydney’s west opened its doors in 1930 as Australia’s very first koala sanctuary. Guided by its firm focus on caring for and minimising the endless threats to koalas, the Sydney zoo has evolved over the years into a loving home for many native animals.

If you’re there for the park’s namesake attraction, multiple koala presentations are staged daily so you’ll learn everything you need to know about them no matter when you arrive. Additionally, there’s kangaroos, dingoes, emus, wombats and other furry friends to fall in love with elsewhere on-site.

a Koala in its natural habitat
Spot a koala up close at Koala Park Sanctuary. (Image: Remy Brand)

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm daily.

Address: 84 Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills, Sydney

8. Calmsley Hill City Farm

Parents of little ones ought to be all over Calmsley Hill City Farm, an engaging farm experience that offers a taste of rural farm life less than one hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD. Featuring live demonstrations where visitors are invited to get their hands dirty milking cows, patting baby animals, riding tractors and even snapping whips, the Sydney animal experience is interactive from every angle.

a woman carrying a baby koala at Calmsley Hill City Farm
Expert staff deliver a range of interactive animal experiences. (Image: Destination NSW)

Prefer your animal encounters from a distance? There’s koala talks and sheep shearing shows plus there’s birds, turtles, camels, horses and other animals to get swept up in.

animal counters at Calmsley Hill City Farm
Get a taste of life on the farm. (Image: Destination NSW)

Opening hours: 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Address: 31 Darling Street, Abbotsbury

9. Golden Ridge Animal Farm

Just a 50-minute drive to Dural from Sydney’s CBD will lead you to the gates of Golden Ridge Animal Farm, a delightful destination filled with the baby farm animals of children’s dreams.

Organised in two-hour sessions to ensure every visitor has their fair share of quality time with baby rabbits, chicks, ducklings and more, entry will provide you with several meet and greets plus you can pay additional fees for pony rides, egg collecting and bags of animal feed. If your little one is more fascinated by trucks than animals, the farm features a Digger Zone where kids are invited to safely operate miniature diggers for a small fee.

Opening hours: 10am to 2pm weekdays and 10.30am to 3pm weekends, however entry is offered in sessions and opening times may vary.

Address: 686 Old Northern Road, Dural

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.