Animals galore! A trip to the new Sydney Zoo

If you’re looking for a fun day trip to do with your children these school holidays, why not take a visit to the new Sydney Zoo? It’s about a 30-40 minute drive from the North Shore (traffic permitting, of course!), and an easy, accessible walk around the zoo to get close to hundreds of animals.

Sydney Zoo opened in December 2019, and I’ve been meaning to visit it ever since. But with a busy summer, and then Covid-19 locking down everything for several months, it wasn’t until the Spring School Holidays that I finally got the chance to explore this fabulous new zoo in Sydney with my children.

And what a delight it is! To kick off the holidays, I took my three daughters (aged 5, 8 & 10 years) to visit the ‘new’ zoo. Here’s my overview about this fabulous new zoo in Sydney…

Getting around Sydney Zoo

Sydney Zoo is really easily laid out and very easy to navigate. It’s mostly flat and there are no stairs – so if you’ve got a pram or wheelchair, it’s extremely accessible.

There are two main circuits to follow. After arriving, you can start by walking along Primate Boulevard, and you might want to kick off with a coffee or ice-cream from the Boulevard Eatery. Then either turn left to pass through the African and Asian exhibits, or turn right and explore the Aquarium and Australian section.

There are plenty of toilets dotted around the zoo, and a five cafes too for snacks, refreshments and lunch.

You’ll probably want to spend around 3-4 hours there to see it all (but won’t be completely exhausted by the end!).

The playground at Sydney Zoo

Spacious dining area at Boulevard Eatery, Sydney Zoo

Animals at Sydney Zoo

There are hundreds of animals to see at Sydney Zoo. There are five main zones to explore, namely:

• Primate Boulevard – chimpanzee, sacred baboons, spider monkey, capybara & tufted capuchin
• Africa – African Lion, Cheetah, African Painted Dog, Giraffe, spotted hyena, zebra, ostrich, meerkat
• Asian – Asian elephant, red panda, orangutan, Sumatran tiger, small-clawed otter
• Aquarium – saltwater crocodile, little penguins, Eastern Long-Necked Turtle, barramundi, Murray cod & other fish
• Australia – wombat, dingo, echidna, Kangaroo Island kangaroos, koala, emu, tasmanian devil, inland taipan & perentie

Yes, it’s a covid-safe activity

There are so many things that make a trip to Sydney Zoo a covid-safe activity.

• It’s outdoors, so there is plenty of fresh air and space for groups to keep socially distanced from one another
• Daily numbers are limited to avoid excessive crowding. 
• There is plenty of hand sanitiser stations throughout the zoo.
• Lots of signs reminding people to keep their distance (1.5 metres apart)

Special Experiences

The highlight of our visit was a Meerkat Encounter... where we had a private tour with a couple of zoo keepers who let us into the Meerkat enclosure. These divine creatures crawled all over us as we fed them worms. It was such a special and memorable experience! My daughters haven’t stopped talking about it since, and now all claim meerkats to now be their ‘favourite’ animal.

Book early if you’re keen to try this, as only four lucky people get the chance to feed the meerkats each day.

Meerkat Encounter

There are other special experiences available with lions, giraffes, capybara and also the chance to be a Mini Zookeeper For a Day. Find out more.

Sydney Zoo: Entry Fees

Individual Tickets

If you’re planning on visiting Sydney Zoo, be sure to buy your tickets online before you go! It’s not only cheaper, you’ll also avoid waiting up in line to buy them at the gate. Plus, you’ll get your entry guaranteed. They are limiting daily numbers due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Memberships at Sydney Zoo

If you plan on going more than once in a year, it makes sense to become a member of Sydney Zoo. You can visit as many times as you like within the 12 month period. Individuals and all types & sizes of families are catered for!

Sydney Zoo: Essential Details

• Address: 700 Great Western Highway, Bungarribee
• Getting there:
  • Car: It’s about a 30-35 minute drive from North Shore suburbs like Chatswood, Gordon or Wahroonga. Expect to pay a few tolls, but it’s motorway most of the way. Parking is free at Sydney Zoo.
  • Public Transport: Read more about public transport options.
• Phone: 02 7202 2560
• Website:
• https://sydneyzoo.com

Want more school holiday fun?

• Essential Guide to Spring School Holidays on Sydney’s North Shore
• What’s in cinemas these Spring School Holidays: Movie Guide
• How to support our Wildlife Parks during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Fun indoor attractions to visit with kids on a rainy day in Sydney
• Best indoor playcentres around Sydney’s North Shore