What is Taronga Zoo?
Taronga Zoo is Sydney's main zoo, set on a hillside in Mosman with views across the harbour to the city skyline. It opened at its current site in 1916.
The zoo's name comes from an Aboriginal word usually translated as beautiful view. Visitors often arrive by ferry from Circular Quay and can ride the Sky Safari cable car up the hill to the main entrance.
Taronga is home to thousands of animals from Australia and around the world, including koalas, kangaroos, platypuses, Asian elephants, giraffes and chimpanzees. Its seal and bird shows are popular daily events.
Conservation work
The zoo runs breeding programs for threatened species such as the regent honeyeater, corroboree frog and plains-wanderer. It also operates the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, which treats sick and injured native animals and returns many to the wild.
Taronga's sister zoo, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, is located in Dubbo in central New South Wales. It is an open-range zoo where visitors can drive, cycle or walk past animals in large paddocks.
Did You Know?
At Taronga, visitors can stay overnight at the Wildlife Retreat or join Roar and Snore camping with harbour views.