The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga is an elegant Australian eco-retreat nestled within Taronga Zoo, overlooking magnificent Sydney Harbour. Here’s a look at the new digs and what to expect from a stay.
Sydney’s Taronga Zoo is preparing to open a new 62-room luxury ‘eco-retreat’ is taking bookings ahead of the official opening in October.
Following the initial $40 million hotel projected approved for Taronga Zoo the project is now up and running.
Guests of the Wildlife Retreat will have the chance to wake up to the rustling of a bandicoot or the call of a lyrebird, and to revel in the natural beauty of the surrounding bushland. From your stylishly appointed room, you can step out into a lush sanctuary where koalas and echidnas roam and platypus swim.
Choose to join guided tours with passionate keepers and guides, or simply connect with the wildlife and its habitat in their own time, reassured by the knowledge that their stay has made a meaningful difference to this not-for-profit, conservation-based organisation.
The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga will offer five environmentally sensitive and sustainably designed lodges built into the native bush with views across a wildlife sanctuary that is home to platypuses, koalas and echidnas.
Animal View Room: Wake up outside a lush habitat where iconic Australian animals roam
The Bushland Room: Views of Australian bushland, with wild birds and native trees and flora
Harbour View Room: Overlooking Taronga Zoo, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Treetop Suites: Each suite features panoramic harbour views and an ensuite with bathtub.
Enjoy dinner at Me-Gal restaurant
The lodge will also feature the Me-Gal restaurant with views over Sydney Harbour and feature a menu focused on fresh local produce with dishes such as Fraser Island spanner crab with fried native saltbush; NSW beef fillet with potato foam, cavolo nero and Hunter Valley shiraz jus; and saffron and pea risotto with local watercress and vegan cheese.
As part of your stay, you can explore experiences like:
Sanctuary tour
‘The Sanctuary’ is a thoughtfully designed habitat, created especially for guests of the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga. Nestled amongst the accommodation lodges, views of the Sanctuary and the unique Australian animals that live within it can be enjoyed from the rooms.
Our Guides will lead guests on a journey where they can get close to Australian animals, hear fascinating talks with our keepers and deepen their connection with Cammeraigal country.
- Duration: 30 – 45 minutes
- Guided experience, leaves from the N’gurra Lounge
- Multiple tours run each afternoon to accommodate all guests
Daybreak walk
The Daybreak Walk is a quiet, guided walk through the Zoo in the early morning. Walk on Cammeraygal country at first light. See the Zoo with fresh eyes, as a natural habitat where the plants that grow throughout the Zoo provide shelter and food for wild inhabitants of the Zoo. And perhaps most importantly, enjoy the peace, serenity and incredible views that our harbour-front Zoo offers at this time of day.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Guided experience, leaves from the N’gurra Lounge
- Tour runs once per morning
Morning tour
After a delicious breakfast overlooking Sydney Harbour, set out with our Guides to enjoy more of the Zoo before our gates open to the general public. We will lead you through the Wollemi Aviary, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by rare, unique Australian birdlife as they fill the air with song to welcome the new day. Continue onwards to see iconic Red Kangaroos and Tasmanian Devils, whilst enjoying the unique early-morning atmosphere of the Zoo.
- Duration: 30 – 45 minutes
- Guided experience, leaves from the N’gurra Lounge
- Multiple tours run each morning to accommodate all guests
You can see a whole host of amazing animals at Taronga Zoo, including their set of three rare Sumatran Tiger cubs who have become more confident and playful in the months since their debut, and gorilla mother Frala and her rare, incredible baby Gorilla born at Taronga Zoo Sydney.
More fun things to do with animal encounters!
- Must visit farms & petting zoos around the North Shore
- Taronga Zoo: The ultimate day out for animals, water play & cable cars!
- Where to take kids horse riding around Sydney
- Australian Animals around Sydney! Seven Wildlife Parks to visit
- Adventure in the treetops! High ropes courses near the North Shore
