Wildlife encounters in Sydney

Fast facts

• See koalas, kangaroos, emus and echidnas, sharks and crocodiles in the heart of the city
• Sydney has some of the most modern zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums in the world

Why go there

Saying g’day to Australia’s native animals is easy to do in Sydney. You’ll discover furry koalas, skipping kangaroos and shy platypus in zoos and wildlife parks just minutes from the heart of the city.

Walk to Darling Harbour, catch a ferry to Mosman or Manly to tour Sydney’s exciting animal world. You’ll be able to enjoy close encounters with these unique animals as well as endangered and rare species from around the world.

Taronga is the “zoo with a view”, located on the shores of Sydney Harbour, just 12 minutes from the city by ferry. More than 2,000 animals live here in settings as similar as possible to their original habitat. Follow a trail at your own pace or join a behind-the-scenes tour. Take the gondola ride to the top of the zoo for great views over the zoo, harbour and city.

One of the largest aquariums in the world, Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour, houses the largest collection of sharks in captivity, some over 3m in length. Walk underwater through tunnels that allow you to see sharks, manta rays and fish swimming above. There’s also a sanctuary where you can watch seals frolic above and below the water, Great Barrier Reef corals and colourful fish, platypus habitat and penguin pools. 

The aquarium is part of Sydney Wildlife World which houses the largest variety of Australian reptiles, native birds, wallabies, native insects and butterflies under one roof.

Just a ferry-ride from Circular Quay is Oceanworld Manly. This beachside aquarium is home to sharks, stingrays, sea turtles plus tropical fish, corals and venomous sea creatures.

Close to Sydney are several award-winning animal attractions. Featherdale Wildlife Park, located on the direct route to the Blue Mountains, allows visitors to get close to an astonishing collection of Australian animals. You can see koalas and hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus as well as meet over 30 species of rare and endangered animals.

The Australian Reptile Park, north of Sydney, is home to Australia’s largest reptiles, giant tortoises and huge pythons. Just south of Sydney is Symbio Wildlife Gardens, famous for its close encounters with dingos, kangaroos and koalas, meerkats and red pandas.

Don’t miss

• Watching the birds swoop down from the zoo towards the harbour in the amazing Free Flight Bird Show at Taronga.
• Following Taronga’s Wild Australia Walk, a short loop trail through the zoo featuring koalas, kangaroos, emus and platypus.
• Huge sharks and manta rays at Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour
• Free koala encounters and crocodile feeding at Featherdale Wildlife Park
• Diving with the sharks at Manly Oceanworld (suitable for beginners)