Best Australian zoo see and visit this superb Sydney Zoo

Visit and see the Sydney Zoo Taronga Zoo with a view

The residents of Taronga zoo must fully appreciate their accommodation with immaculate gardens and green leafy surrounds with sweeping City Harbour views. However, when you visit Taronga Zoo you will appreciate the wonderful range of animal exhibitions shows and tours on offer at this Sydney zoo. The 2500 animals that call Taronga home and housed on 75 acres of landscaped bushland within recreated natural habitats so visitors can experience the animals' natural environments. If you arrive by ferry, you can ride the sky safari, which carries visitors up the hill over the animals enclosures to the entrance pavilion and information centre. At the entrance, is where you will find all the tour information maps and event details needed for a very enjoyable experience when you tour Taronga Zoo. The best time to arrive at the zoo is early in the morning when many of the animals are most active. Some of the animals are active all day long such as the Chimpanzees, and gorillas. However, animals like the big cats might be sleeping if you arrive at their home late in the afternoon. So planning your trip to the zoo at a certain time of the day could be very important depending on your goals and exhibits you most want to see. The Taronga food market seats 600 people offering a variety of meals and snacks. At the entrance to the zoo is another small café offering easy meals sandwiches coffee and refreshments.

Learn more about the animals

One of the things that make this zoo one of the best in the world is not only the love and care given to these animals by the zookeepers but also the conservation message the zookeepers try to convey. During certain times during the day, you will find the zookeepers giving talks and educating people with informative information about these beautiful creatures and animals in front of their enclosures. Therefore, while you stand and admire the residents you will also learn what makes these animals unique and so important in the role they play in nature. Learn what we can do to try to keep on conserving and protecting these animals so they can thrive for many more generations. Upon entry to the zoo with your map and tour guide, you will find the timetable on when these talks and activities are scheduled.

A list of popular talks and times

Seal Keeper Talk, Gorilla Keeper Talk, Tasmanian Devil Talk ,Chimpanzee Talk ,Giraffe Keeper Talk Big Cats Talk ,Penguin Talk ,Spider Talk ,Koala Talk

Free show the seal show

See these amazing animals dive swim and do stylish acrobatic acts as they show off, and impress you and the audience with their distinct personalities. While you are enjoying the magical show, learn from the zoo keepers how they live and survive in the wild with a strong conservation message communicated. If you are quick enough to raise your hand when asked you could be the lucky winner to touch and feel one of these soft and furry creatures from the ocean. Upon leaving the show a small donation is appreciated that will go towards helping the seals in the wild.

Free flight bird show

Sit back and enjoy a show of free flighted birds as they fly and swoop above the heads of the spectators. Star of the show Frodo the barking owl and slammer a black breasted buzzard who has perfected the fine art of emu egg smashing. See stellar the black kite gracefully flying through the air catching and eating food mid-flight. Australia is the land of colourful parrots on show here you will see the endangered Black Cockatoos one of the most exceptional parrots native to this land. Jo Jo and Jasper two galahs soon teach the audience how smart and intelligent the Australian parrots are. But before you leave the show there is a great photo opportunity. Give Jo Jo or Jasper a donation to help their friends in need if Jo Jo or Jasper get tired one of their cockatoo friends will help to take donations.

Animals at the zoo

Gorillas, bears, and lions are only some of the many animals you will meet at Taronga Zoo. At Taronga, you are able to do a world tour of the exotic animals and species that inhabit this planet. In wild Australia, you get the chance to meet koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies. The giraffes high on the hill overlooking Sydney Harbour are only one of many African species that call Taronga home the meerkats are another favourite viewed and photograph by visitors. A remarkable sight the must love Asian elephants other African species include the Hippopotami and zebras. Love the snakes and lizards the serpentaria have some stunning exhibitions view the Komodo dragon the biggest lizard in the world native to Indonesia. View Australian most dangerous Snakes among the exhibits the deadly Taipan from South America. The great southern ocean houses seals Taronga penguins and pelicans. Below is a detail; list of the current animals at Taronga Zoo.

Lions
Tapir
Cassowary
Asian elephants
Meerkats
Emus
Ostrich
Giraffe
Zebra
Brazilian Tapir
Pygmy Hippo
Fennec fox
Chimpanzee
Red panda
Komodo dragon
Crocodiles
Reptiles including tree frog, Fijian Banda, iguana, Australian snakes, and South American Taipan
Barbary sheep
Gorilla
Snow leopard
Lace monitor
Tree kangaroo
Tortoise
Wombat
Platypus
Kangaroo
Otter
Pelican
Penguin
Binturong
Bongo
Australian nightlife animal including bats
Echidna
Fishing cat
Corroboree frog
Cockatoo
Ducks
Australian bird including Australian parrots, Aviary birds ,Koala bears, Francois leaf monkey, Goats,
Australian sea lion, Spider monkey, Tasmanian devil, Ring-tailed lemurs, Blotch blue tongue, Sumatran tiger

Taronga zoo special tours an Australian wildlife experience

Taronga zoo offers the visitors many tours that are unique that offer a once in a lifetime experience. One of the most favoured is the up close and personal tour. This tour offers you the chance to hold touch feel and feed Australian wild life under supervision of a professional Australian Zookeeper. Become friends with such animals as the koalas, kangaroos, and the Hairy noise wombat for a very short time. This is a great tour to take to learn what makes these animals unique and special. Learn about the animals, their habitats, and conservation projects.

Cost

Adult: $127.00

Child (4 to 15 years): $81.00

Contact details are list below

Restrictions

Maximum group size is eight people.

Tour Time

1.5 – 2 hours.

Tour with Aboriginal experts

Learn why the aboriginals have a very close connection with Australian flora and fauna the original occupants of Australia. Deep within aboriginal belief and culture has always been a deep respect for all living creatures that share the planet in which we live. Learn about Dreamtime a belief by aboriginal how all creatures and life were created. Learn how the aboriginal people lived and survived using the local plants for food and medicine. On this tour, you not only get up and Personal with Australian wildlife. This very informative Aboriginal tour gives you a unique learning experience and perspective on natural environment and surroundings.

Cost
Adult:$99.00
Child (4 to 15 years):$69.00
Bookings
Need to make bookings 48 hours in advance (seven days a week during business hours).
To book please contact:
Tourism (Taronga Zoo)
Phone:&(02) 9978 4782
Email:&tourism@zoo.nsw.gov.au

VIP Aussie gold tour

Want to meet Australian Animals in small group explore where visitors to the zoo never go you that perfect photo opportunity with you and the Australian wild life this could be the tour for you. Watch the YouTube video below to learn more about this Taronga zoo tour.

Prices
Adult: $99.00
Child (4 to 15 years): $68.00
Bookings
Need to make bookings 48 hours in advance (seven days a week during business hours).
To book please contact: Tourism (Taronga Zoo) Phone: (02) 9978 4782
Email:tourism@zoo.nsw.gov.au

More special events and tours

The Taronga Zoo Rise tour a unique experience at a wonderful time of day to visit the animals of the zoo as they awake from their slumber. More on the Zoo rise tour
The Australian walkabout tour of the Sydney zoo with a view
With an experience guide tour walk and learn about the most exciting animals in the zoo walk through the best displays as the experienced guide introduces you to the magnificent Australian native wild life. For more information on the walkabout tour
Cost to visit the Taronga zoo
Adults $44
Children (4-15 years) $22
Children (under 4) Free
Concession $31.50
Families SAVE 15%: adult $37.40, child $18.70
(Minimum three guests with 1 child aged 4-15 years visiting

Getting to the Taronga Zoo Sydney

The most convenient way to get to Taronga zoo is by Public transport. If you decide to catch a train to Circular Quay you can you can sit back relax on a 12 ferry ride minute ride past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Hop off the ferry into the sky safari cable car for a breathtaking ride overlooking Sydney Harbour and the zoo wildlife below. Discounted tickets are available that combine your travel to the Zoo and your entry cost. These discounted tickets include the train, ferry or bus tickets the Zoo entry cost and the sky Safari. For more information on discounted tickets and the zoo pass

Captain Cook Taronga Zoo Express

The Zoo express offered from Captain Cook Cruises is another fun way to travel to Taronga zoo from Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. The Zoo express operates daily and departs every 45 minutes from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour. Included in your Zoo express ticket is your return cruise to the Zoo from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour plus entry into Taronga Zoo and the Sky Cable car. To learn more about the Zoo express

Manly fast Ferry ECOHOPPER

ECOHOPPER is a joint Zoo and Ferry ticket that allows you to explore various locations throughout Sydney Harbour including Taronga Zoo within a 24-hour period at a discounted rate to learn more about the discounted ferry and Taronga zoo ticket

Buses to Taronga Zoo

Buses travel to various locations throughout the City of Sydney and are very easy and convenient to catch during most times during the day. The best way to find the timetable of your buss and or where your bus departs. Is to use the City rail website timetable this is one of the best things out in finding your way around any part of the City of Sydney. Not only does this website tell you where to catch your bus or train it will tell you where you need to go to catch your bus or train with timetables and maps of your intended journey. All you do is type in your departure area with a suburb or landmark and type in your destination Along with your intend time of departure and or arrival time. This site will give you a list of alternatives on times and travel alternatives with train ferry and buses including maps s and directions. To use this free travel service from city rail and busses to Taronga Zoo

A Quick Zoo review

This zoo would have to be one of the most beautiful zoos in the world with million dollar Harbour views. If you and the kids want to see elephant's gorillas and the big bears or the big cats maybe you want to get up close and personal with the Australian wildlife on a special tour this is the place to come. Half the fun is the trip on the ferry and the ride on the Sky Safari the cable car ride above the enclosures. However, if you only just want a brief encounter with the Australian wild life kolas bears and kangaroos may be the Sydney wild life at darling Harbour might be a better choice.

The Vivid festival Sydney lights up the night sky a night walk

The Vivid festival enjoy the light walk from the Sydney Opera House to Wash bay and back again

 Another electrifying Sydney free attraction every year the Vivid festival attracts locals and tourist that flock from all corners of the globe to Sydney to enjoy a free fun full festival of Colourful bright lights music artistic sculptures and Installations. It has been five times in five years that artists from all over the world have flicked the switch to show off their amazing ideas with bright lights and creative colour displays. This year people from 6pm each night from late May until early June discovered the night-light walk from the Opera House to Walsh bay along the edge of the water of Circular Quay were, they viewed many artistic light sculptures along the bay. This walk also uncovered breathtaking views of Sydney most treasured icons the harbour bridge the Contemporary art Museum, Customs House and the Opera House. The Opera House one of the main attractions at the Vivid with a continuously changing display of colour lights and themes on the cement seashells. You could view along the entire walk the live light show on the seashells all the way from the coat hanger until you reach the stairs of the Opera House. This year there was a special event for Doctor Who fans on the façade of the Customs House where special projections turned Customs House into an outdoor theatre every hour on the first Saturday of June. Every other night people enjoyed watching Custom House get up and boggy with music and creative artistic colours displays and themes projected on to the front of the building. 

Free interactive exhibitions

The Morphic mirror was a hit  for many visitors especially the children who were eager to dance wiggle and move to see the changed images the Morphic mirror reflected back. 

Cadman's Cottage allowed people of all ages to create their own magical light show using a large touch screen people of all ages created their own masterpiece of architectural design. At the end of each timed session participants projected, their computer graphics designed images to the cottage in real-time. Each participant had a photo taken of his or her artwork and published to a twitter account where the pictures were view downloaded or retwittered. The we see saw another interactive display where young and old ride the see saw to create their own stream of colours on a led light screen and watch the colour scheme change with each bounce.

The vivid markets

On Fridays and Saturday nights at the vivid, you are able to shop at the rocks markets and dine under the stars at one of the rocks best restaurants in Jack Mundy place and surrounding areas. The rocks market a tourism orientated market and great place for a browse at the arts and crafts, paintings and prints Australian sovereigns and memorabilia.        

Vivid Aquatique is a colourful light theatre submerged in water

Darling Harbour has officially become part of the vivid festival there are many bars and restaurants to sit back relax and enjoy the 20 meter of water display on show every night on the hour every hour. Also held on certain nights at Darling Harbour was a magnificent fireworks show that lights up the Sky alongside the waterworks show. The 2013 vivid festival has been outstanding it will be hard to improve come the 2014 festival I look forward   to see what is new to see next year.

The vivid The festival is held every year from late May to early June

 Many photos are taken of the Sydney Harbour bridge during the festival

Display near the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Circular Quay during the vivid

The contemporary art Museum ablaze with colour and lights

The wee sea saw Circular Quay

Watch Customs House get up and dance and boogie at the Vivid light festival

  Sydney most popular and best festival

record-breaking Vivid crowds

There were record-breaking crowds at the Vivid this year according to figures released on the 17 June 2013. Figures showed more than 800.000 people Sydneysiders and overseas travellers came to see this year festival. There was a tremendous interest from the Chinese community with over 7000 travel packages sold to the Chinese market. With so many people attending events such as the Vivid free light festival which this year included Darling Harbour and North Sydney has shown organisers a need to improve transportation for the visitors during the 2014 festival. The increased crowds lead to overcrowding of trains and public transport delays during certain event s such as the doctor Who theatrical display at Customs House. The Queen Birthday long weekend put a huge strain on the public services showing organises improvements need to be made for next year’s festival. Due to increasing crowds and the sheer number of people that are now visiting the vivid each year, plans are already being put forward to enhance and improve the public transportation system for the 2014 Vivid festival.

Maritime Museum Sydney free to visit and see exhibitions

 

 

Free Fun things to do and see The Sydney Maritime Museum

The maritime museum in Darling Harbour has many permanent exhibitions that are free to view every first Thursday of the month. All of the maritime exhibition highlights the history and relationship Australia has had with the sea and the oceans. The Galleries and exhibitions that you will journey through include Sea Journeys, Navy, Navigators, Watermarks, Australia-USA, Eora first people. The national maritime diverse collection includes 135.000 items attached to the collection Is 52,000 digital images.

Children's Activities and Family fun Sundays

 The Maritime Museum is one of the few museums throughout the city of Sydney that cater for the very young the museum provides entertainment and fun activities for children under five. There are also programs and activities for children aged between the years of five and up to 14 years of age.

Kids on the deck is an amazing Antarctic experience with science experiments, games and dress ups and with an educational aspect that might evoke an interest in environment for our young explorers of the future while they are having fun and enjoying  themselves.

Other children's activities include Cabinet of curiosities touch trolley-weird science for all children up to the age of 14

Mini Mariners with different theme every month for children under the age of five

For more information on children's activities and Family fun Sundays

A journey through the museum galleries

Australia_USA

A core exhibition in the Main Building takes you on a journey of discovery through time when the Americas first set foot on Australian soil up to the present day. Here you will learn about the coal rush in the early 19th century and about the early American whalers and hunters that use the Australian waters for their hunting grounds. The first foreign trading ship to arrive at the first settlement in Sydney was from America it brought much needed supplies to a struggling colony.

 Navy

The navy exhibition is another main exhibition in the main building. The Navy gallery surrounded by naval memorabilia and exhibits displayed from the walls to the ceilings. View the antisubmarine helicopter hanging from the top of the ceiling get up close and personal with the 31 b helicopter from the viewing deck. The navy exhibition allows you to explore how the Australian Navy has operated through times of peace and war. Learn about personal triumphs and misfortunes through human stories from the past. Visit the submarine exhibition find out if you could live in a submarine take a peep through the telescope you could be surprised by what you will see.

Passengers

Another core exhibition in the main building that showcases a range of displays that have played a very important role in the development of the culture and the people of Australia history. Apart from the local indigenous people of this country Australians have at least one member of their family in the past or present that have travelled to this great country from overseas. Many Australians have travelled to this country by sea from the early convicts and settlers and the many new Australians that came during the post-world war two immigration boom and other times throughout Australian history. Until air travel became the main mode of transport for immigrants to the country sea travel was their only option. In the passenger gallery, you can quickly learn about the hardships the first convicts had to endure in their journey to New Holland the original name of Australia. View the model of the convict hull and see how the non-convicts travelled in 1788 in dark damp uncomfortable accommodation. The gallery main centrepiece is a large-scale model of the 1937 ocean liner RMS  Orcades, one of the vessels that  brought migrants to Australia during the World War two-post migrant boom in 1952.

Navigators

Captain Cook was not the first to visit the shores of Australia. Over thousands of years, the stars have guided many visitors to the largest island in the world. On entry to the navigators, gallery and exhibition look up at the ceiling and view the stars and constellations that have made it possible to guide navigators too Australia over the many centuries. This exhibition educates visitors on the many visitors that have visited Australia from the early contacts with the Macassan traders from Indonesia the French explorers and the Dutch and the English of the 17th and 19th century. Learn about the traditional scientific navigational techniques and equipment used by the early explorers.

Watermark

The Watermark gallery embarks on an epic journey of excitement and adventure. Learn about the connection and love that the Aussies have with the water. Learn what made the Aussie Cossie emerge from the deep blue and become one of Australia’s most popular swimwear. For many years Aussies have had the reputation for being great lovers of beer so here you can view a uniquely built Aussie vessel. A boat built from Australian VB and XXXX beer cans. Watch videos on Australians greatest aquatic achievements disappointments and triumphs see the awesome Foursome’s row to victory in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. In addition, this exhibition would not be complete if it did not educate people about the fastest boat in the world the spirit of Australia learn and view how this boat still holds this title.

Eroa the first people

Eroa people the indigenous inhabitants of Australia had a very close relationship with.The sea and its inhabitant’s. Early settlers with amazement watch the aboriginals catch fish and cook the fish on a mound of dirt in their wooden canoes. This exhibition takes you on a journey from the very top of Australia and the Torres Straits islands to Tasmania on a theme of history and culture exploring the unique connection the aboriginal people had and still have with the land and sea. The many aboriginal artworks and craft on display help to make this journey of discovery a pleasurable learning experience. The Darug people were the traditional owners of the land the Maritime museum now stands on in their language Eora means first people.

Elysium Antarctic Visual epic

Until the 3rd of November 2013, the Maritime Museum is hosting a photo exhibition the featured works are from award winning photographers. In 2010, the Elysium team embarked on an expedition included in the team were some of the world’s best filmmakers wildlife photographers and scientists. Their epic journey took them from the Antarctic peninsula to South Georgia along the way the kept a superb visual record of the magnificent wildlife life and the beautiful wilderness in which they live and survive. The photographs capture the impressive eye catching surroundings of the beautiful land and seascapes that now serve as an important record for the monitoring of climate change.     

Explore The Vessels

For a memorable experience, you can climb aboard and explore the Australian ships docked at the museum. The Maritime Museum boasts that they have the largest and most diverse fleet of any museum.

Captain Cook Endeavour

Go back in history to see how the sailors and Captain Cook lived and work during the maritime voyage of their life. The endeavour famous for Capitan Cook’s world voyage back in 1768-71 the replica docked at the museum for most of the year for visitors to enjoy.

HMAS Onslow, Oberon Class Submarine (1969)

Go down under discover what it was like to be on a Submarine during the cold war years. Search and investigate the many small compartments from the torpedo bays to the engine room peer through the periscope. Be surprised at the sailors cramped living quarters where they slept where they ate.

HMAS Vampire, Daring Class Destroyer (1956)

The Australian’s largest museum vessel and the last of the country's big gun war ships. This ship was the home to hundreds of sailors marvel at the military might this ship once possessed with its big guns machinery and weapons. See where and how they sailors lived together where they ate where they slept. You can also download a free tour of HMAS VAMPIRE through Google play and iTunes.

Other boats on display for exploring at the dock include

Barque Janes Craig (1874)

HMAS Advance, patrol Boat (1968)

The historical fleet includes

Akarana (1888) gaff cutter racing yacht

Thistle (1903) Victorian couta boat

John Louis (1957) Pearling Lugger

 For more information on these boats and other boats at the maritime museum http://www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1398

How to get to the Sydney Maritime Museum

Address 2 Murray Street Darling Harbour Sydney NSW contact phone number (02) 9298377

Catch a ferry to Pyrmont Bay

Walk from Town hall train station

Catch the monorail too the Harbour side

Catch Sydney Light rail to Pyrmont Bay

Sydney explorer buss

The 443 bus from the city

 You can also use the map below to find the location of the Sydney Maritime Museum