Sydney Zoo: Tickets, Animals and What to Expect

TL;DR: Sydney Zoo is in Eastern Creek, in the Western Sydney Parklands, about 40 minutes’ drive west of the CBD. It opened in December 2019 and covers 16.5 hectares. Day tickets start from about $61 for adults and $31 for kids when booked online. It’s open daily from 9am to 5pm, with free parking. Allow two to three hours for the highlights. It’s also a handy first stop if you’re heading west towards the Blue Mountains.

There’s something about watching a koala wake up that makes everyone go quiet. One eye opens, then the other. A big stretch, a slow scratch, and then straight back to sleep. 

Sydney Zoo is home to plenty more besides sleepy koalas, from lions and giraffes to Australian natives. Here’s what to know before you go, including tickets, animals worth seeing and a few tips for your visit.

And if you’re wondering how Sydney Zoo differs from the other zoos with “Sydney” in the name, you’re not alone. We’ll clear that up, too.

Is Sydney Zoo the Same as Taronga Zoo?

No! Sydney actually has three zoos, and people book the wrong one all the time.

So, which one’s for you? If you want koalas and kangaroos without leaving the CBD, go for Wild Life Sydney. If you’d like harbour views with your giraffes, it’s Taronga. And if you’re after an easy, flat walk, or you’re heading west towards the mountains anyway, Sydney Zoo is the one.

What Animals Will You See?

Plenty, from koalas to rhinos. Sydney Zoo is laid out in themed areas, and the zoo says it’s home to more than 150 species.

The Australian section is where most visitors make a beeline. You’ll find koalas, kangaroos, wombats, dingoes and little penguins, plus an open-range area where kangaroos hop around the paths beside you. They have excellent manners. Mostly.

Over on the African Boardwalk, there are lions, giraffes, zebras and rhinos. Primate Boulevard is home to the chimpanzees and their smaller, noisier cousins, and there’s also an Asia area and an aquarium.

Hot day? Duck into the reptile and nocturnal houses. They’re among the largest in Australia, full of snakes, monitors and the night-time Aussie animals you’d otherwise never get to meet.

What Encounters and Talks Are On?

Keepers run free talks and feed every half hour around the zoo. Check the day’s schedule when you arrive and plan your loop around a couple you’d love to catch. The kangaroo feeds are always a hit with kids, and you’ll hear the squeals from the next path over.

Want to get even closer? Paid encounters let you meet animals like giraffes, rhinos, lions and koalas up close. They cost extra and need booking ahead, so sort them out before you go.

The zoo sits on the land of the Darug Nation, and learning a little about the local Aboriginal community and culture adds a lovely layer to your visit.

How Much Are Sydney Zoo Tickets?

Sydney Zoo tickets start from $61 for adults and $31 for kids, although prices vary by date. These are the lowest “from” prices currently listed online.

Our tip: book online early if you can. Sydney Zoo recommends booking ahead to save money and secure your preferred arrival time, particularly on busy days.

If you’re a local and plan to visit more than once, the Unlimited Pass is worth considering. It gives you 12 months of entry plus 10% off encounters, food, drinks and retail purchases.

Sydney Zoo is open from 9am to 5pm every day, and parking is free.

How Long Do You Need?

Two to three hours covers the highlights. That’s enough time to explore the Australian section, the African Boardwalk and Primate Boulevard, and catch a keeper talk or two.

Got little ones who want to see every single animal, or booked a paid encounter? Allow half a day.

Tips for Your Visit

A few little things make the day even easier.

• Come in the morning, especially in summer. The animals are livelier and Western Sydney heats up fast by the early arvo
• Pack a hat, sunscreen and water, as some paths don’t have much shade
• The zoo is flat, with no hills or steps, so prams and wheelchairs roll along with no worries
• Check the keeper talk schedule as soon as you arrive

How Do You Get to Sydney Zoo?

It’s an easy drive. Sydney Zoo is at 700 Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek, just off the M4 and M7 motorways. By car it’s about 40 minutes from the CBD outside peak hour, and parking is free.

Not driving? No problem. You can also get there by public transport or rideshare, and the Transport for NSW trip planner is the easiest way to work out the train and bus connection from the city. Just allow plenty of time each way.

Make a Day of It in the Blue Mountains

Here’s a tip: Sydney Zoo sits right on the way to the Blue Mountains. Spend the morning with the koalas, then keep heading west. In about an hour and a half you’ll be standing at Echo Point, looking out at the Three Sisters and that famous blue haze over the Jamison Valley. If you’ve got time, ride the Scenic Railway, Skyway or Cableway at Scenic World for a whole new view of the valley.

Before You Go

Sydney Zoo makes a fun, easy morning out on its own, and it’s even better with the mountains to follow. If you’d like to do both without the drive, our Blue Mountains tours start the day at Sydney Zoo before heading up to the Three Sisters. Have a wild day out!

Frequently Asked Questions