Quick Bites:
🌿 Best for: A full family day trip with toddlers and kids, especially if you want animals, shows, and iconic Sydney views all in one place.
🦒 Must-see animals: Giraffes with harbour views, gorillas, a massive rhino that feels straight out of Jurassic Park, zebras, lemurs, and the tiger.
🦭 Shows: The seal show is a standout for kids and adults. Engaging, well paced, and genuinely entertaining. The bird show is popular too, but plan ahead.
🦎 Reptile house: Newly updated and surprisingly impressive, with a large playground right next door. Not enclosed, so younger kids need close supervision.
🍎 Food & snacks: Bring your own if you can. Food kiosks are convenient but lines can get very long around lunchtime.
🚗 Parking: On-site parking available but can be tricky during peak times. Arriving early makes a big difference.
👟 Good to know: Lots of walking. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hats, and a light jacket are essential.
⭐ Overall vibe: Big, exciting, and memorable. Best enjoyed as a full day so you’re not rushing between animals and shows.
Thank you for reading!
As part of our daughter’s Christmas present, we promised her a day trip to Taronga Zoo. More specifically, we promised her giraffes. The very same giraffes we’d been seeing all over social media, standing tall with Sydney Harbour behind them, looking like they fully understand their star power. After the new year rush settled, we travelled from Newcastle to Sydney for a full day at Taronga Zoo and it turned out to be one core memory for sure!
If you’re planning on visiting Taronga Zoo with your kids, especially younger ones, it’s a big outing but a very doable one with the right expectations. As a family day trip from Newcastle, which is about a two and a half hour trip Taronga Zoo feels exciting and memorable without being overwhelming, as long as you pace yourself and plan ahead.
First impressions and those iconic views
One of the first things you notice when you arrive is just how beautiful Taronga Zoo is. The Sydney Harbour views at Taronga Zoo are unreal, and it immediately feels like more than just a zoo visit. Something about seeing animals against that backdrop that makes everything feel a little bit magical. Our daughter was completely captivated from the moment we walked in, pointing at everything and taking it all in.
The giraffes everyone talks about
Yes, the giraffes are absolutely worth the hype. Our toddler adores animals so seeing her completely captivated by how big everything was, was a highlight. Seeing the Taronga Zoo giraffes up close was one of the highlights of the day, especially for our toddler. They move slowly, calmly, and somehow feel both gentle and massive at the same time. Watching your child experience that in real life instead of through a screen is one of those parenting moments that really sticks with you.
Straight to the seal show
We headed straight to the Taronga Zoo seal show because that’s what fit into our timing, and I’m so glad we did! I think, in retrospect, if we were to pick one show we’d choose this one as well. If you’re looking for what shows to watch while in Taronga Zoo especially with kids, this one is a standout. It’s engaging, informative, and very well paced for children. Our daughter sat through the whole thing, clapping along and completely absorbed, which felt like a small parenting win.
Reptile house, gorillas, rhinos, penguins and playground thoughts
The Taronga Zoo reptile house was another surprise highlight. It’s modern, well designed, and had lots of animals, even ones we haven’t heard of which only made it more interesting, even if reptiles aren’t usually your thing. So many frogs and snakes and turtles! Right next to it is the Taronga Zoo playground, which is great for letting kids burn off some energy. The only thing to note is that it isn’t enclosed, so parents really need to stay close and keep a careful eye on their children while they play.
Another highlight: Seeing the gorilla was a quiet but powerful moment. We were lucky enough to stand so close to it while it was eating. I felt a little uneasy because I felt we were intruding him/her. But it was a nice change of pace, because we were all just forced to slow down a bit. Then there was the rhino. Huge, solid, and honestly a little bit mind blowing. It genuinely felt like stepping into Jurassic Park, which was one of my favourite movies growing up. The scale of it all really hits you.
We also saw zebras, a lemur, penguins, and a tiger. The tiger wasn’t particularly active, likely enjoying a rest, but even that felt exciting for our daughter. The penguins were so cute – they were swimming around and floating and definitely watching the people watching them! I’m not sure if it was a highlight for my daughter but it was definitely one for me!
The show we missed
We really wanted to catch the bird show, but we arrived a bit too late. This is where I realised that if you’re visiting Taronga Zoo with children, a full day makes a big difference. If you want to see all the shows without rushing, allowing yourself the time really helps you get the most out of the experience.
Tips for visiting Taronga Zoo with kids
If you’re planning on visiting Taronga Zoo with kids, here are a few practical tips that made our day easier:
Bring snacks, food, and drinks for both kids and adults. The food kiosks are fine, but Taronga Zoo food lines can get very long around lunchtime.
Wear comfortable shoes. The walking distances are real.
Sunscreen, hats, and a light rain jacket are essential.
Get there early if you’re driving. Taronga Zoo parking tips matter because parking can be tricky. We were lucky to snag a spot just as someone was leaving.
Plan for a full day if possible so you can enjoy more things to see at Taronga Zoo with your kids and catch all the shows.
Is Taronga Zoo toddler friendly and would we visit again?
Overall, yes. Taronga Zoo as toddler friendly is a fair description, but it does require some planning and realistic expectations. It’s a big space, there’s a lot of walking, and kids will get tired. That said, the animal encounters, shows, and open spaces make it incredibly rewarding.
We’d definitely visit again! Visiting Taronga Zoo with our toddler was one of those days that felt both fun and meaningful. Watching our daughter experience animals like giraffes, seals, gorillas, and rhinos for the first time was worth every packed snack and every step walked.
Next time, we’ll arrive earlier, stay longer, and make sure we don’t miss that bird show.
Planning your next family outing? Pack plenty of snacks, wear comfy shoes, and give yourselves a full day at Taronga Zoo. It’s one of those experiences that really stays with you.
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Taronga Zoo Sydney
📍 Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
⏰ Open daily (opening hours vary seasonally)
📞 (02) 9969 2777
🌐 Taronga Zoo website
