Meet the wild
side of Sydney
From a harbourside hillside to open Western Sydney savannah and the reefs of Darling Harbour — a guide to the zoos and wildlife parks where the city gets up close to its animals.
Discover the animals of Sydney across nine parks, from world-class conservation zoos to hands-on native sanctuaries.
A city built for wildlife
Few cities put so much wildlife within easy reach. Within an hour or two of the harbour you can stand beside a koala, watch giraffes graze open grassland, or walk beneath sharks — this guide maps where.
What you'll find
Every park in this guide has its own character — pick by the animals you want to meet, the distance you want to travel, or the kind of day you're after.
Iconic natives
Koalas, kangaroos, wombats, platypus and echidnas — the animals people fly across the world to see, often close enough to hand-feed.
World wildlife
Elephants, giraffes, tigers, lions and red pandas in conservation breeding programs at Sydney's larger zoos.
Under the water
Sharks, rays, dugongs and penguins in Darling Harbour's walk-through aquarium tunnels.
Where to go
MosmanTaronga Zoo Sydney
The city's flagship zoo on a steep harbour hillside since 1916 — Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers and a Sky Safari cable car over the water.
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BungarribeeSydney Zoo
Sydney's newest major zoo — open, flat and modern, with lions, giraffes and a walk-in meerkat exhibit.
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DoonsideFeatherdale Wildlife Park
One of the country's biggest native collections — hand-feed kangaroos and stand beside a koala.
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Darling HarbourWILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
An indoor city zoo of Australian habitats — home to Rocky the saltwater crocodile and rooftop koalas.
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Darling HarbourSEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Walk-through tunnels beneath sharks and rays, plus one of the few dugongs on public display anywhere.
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HelensburghSymbio Wildlife Park
A family park in leafy gardens south of the city, known for koalas, red pandas and cheetahs.
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West Pennant HillsKoala Park Sanctuary
One of Australia's oldest wildlife parks — a leafy sanctuary built around daily koala talks and feeds.
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SomersbyAustralian Reptile Park
A working venom facility on the Central Coast — meet Elvis the crocodile and watch spider-milking.
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NulkabaHunter Valley Wildlife Park
A relaxed country zoo in wine country — hand-feed kangaroos and deer among the gum trees.
Read the guideThe ones you came for
The species visitors ask after most — and the parks in this guide where you'll find them.
Plan your day with the animals
Pick a park, check what's on, and get the highlights before you go. Have a question about a visit? We're happy to help.
Get in touchQuestions before you go
Taronga Zoo Sydney is a short ferry from Circular Quay to its own wharf, while WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium sit together in Darling Harbour, walkable from Town Hall station. All three are easy on public transport.
Featherdale, Koala Park Sanctuary and Symbio all build their day around koalas, with talks and photo encounters. NSW rules don't allow holding koalas, but you can usually stand right beside one.
Taronga Zoo Sydney and Sydney Zoo both keep large exotics — elephants, tigers, lions and giraffes — alongside native species. Symbio adds cheetahs and red pandas to its native collection.
Yes — Taronga runs its "Roar & Snore" tented stays above the harbour, and its sister zoo in Dubbo offers full overnight lodges inside the open-range park.
Ask us about a visit
We're happy to point you to the right park for the animals you want to see.