A guide to Taronga Zoo

A guide to Taronga Zoo

Alex here

If you spend any time in Sydney Taronga Zoo has to be on your list of things to do. I’ve been to Taronga Zoo many times so I thought I’d share with you some tips I’ve learned to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.

Quick info

Cost: Adults                            $46

           Child (4-15 Years)         $23           

Concession                  $32.50

Family Pass (2A & 2C) $123.20  

How: 12 minutes from the city by ferry.

What to do: See some of the best animal exhibits in the world.

Time: All day.

Location

Taronga Zoo is just a 12 minute ferry ride away from the city.  

Getting there

While you can drive to Taronga Zoo parking close to the zoo is often hard to find and very expensive so I suggest taking the ferry as it’s cheaper and the views you get from the boat are simply stunning. If you do decide to drive I suggest to get your parking ticket validated at the beginning of the day in order to beat the end of day rush.

Plan your route

Taronga Zoo is on a very steep hill leading down to the water. Because of this we I suggest to spend your day working your way to the bottom and then catch the SkyRail back to the top when you’re done. Getting a map from the front desk will help you avoid traversing up and down the hill all day to see your favourite animals.

The Shows

Taronga Zoo has a number of shows where the animals interact with the audience. These shows run at certain times of the day so check the schedule to ensure you don’t miss out on your favourite animals. Personally, my favourite is the bird show.

Pack Food

The food at Taronga Zoo isn’t cheap so I suggest packing your own food. This will also allow you to stop and have a picnic anywhere you like. It defiantly beats eating in a crowded cafeteria.

 Alex’s DON’T MISS list

•        The ferry ride
•       The bird show
•       The platypuses
•        The koalas
•        The seal show

I hope you all have a great time at Taronga Zoo,

- Alex

A Stroll through Martin Place, Sydney's Pedestrian Haven

Martin Place - Sydney's favourite pedestrian space

Stewie here

If you haven't been to Sydney before, you might be wondering "This isn't exactly the Opera House or Harbour Bridge." Don't worry - we'll get to those soon.

But this morning I was in Sydney's CBD and realised that Martin Place tells us a lot about the character of the city.

Every day, diverse crowds of people - commuters, office workers, joggers, tourists - move through the area, living out their lives and enjoying the (hopefully great) weather.

Why not join the fun?

Quick Info

Cost: free entry
How: enter from any direction by walking, catch a train to Martin Place Station, or take the bus
What to do: Architecture, shopping, dining, people watching, walking, events
Time: walk through in 10 minutes, or take a leisurely stroll soaking it up for longer

Train station. On the 'City Circle', frequent trains from other CBD stops

Location

It's a free civic space that connects areas of the city, from the Domain and Botanic Gardens to George Street and beyond. See how central it is:

View Martin Place in a larger map
Banks and major corporations, including Commonwealth Bank, MLC, Reserve Bank, call this prestigious address home. You'll see lots of people meaning business - or maybe politics, with the New South Wales State Parliament located at Martin Place's Eastern end.

History

Once a busy vehicular street, it was converted into a pedestrian strip for the public to enjoy.

Historical image of Martin Place as a street, before conversion. Part of a display on a construction barrier.

Lined with intricate colonial architecture and modern & under-construction skyscrapers, an eclectic mix of Sydney's different time periods and social forces is on display. So look up and marvel at the impressive design on display!

We'll get to that pyramid in a little bit...

A Dynamic Public Space

Every day is different. That green pyramid above is actually composed of ...weeds! It's part of a temporary showing that challenges what we think is beautiful, with the 'pest' species becoming something visually appealing and the centrepiece of this place...if only for a while.

Don't worry if you miss one attraction - something new will be there next time.

Were you listening to me, Neo? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?

Charities, protesters, artists and festival organisers make this place alive, each day giving you the opportunity to see another side of the city.

You might just catch a show at the Amphitheatre...

A Solemn Memorial

Martin Place is a gathering place with special meaning.

The Cenotaph is a stone memorial to ANZAC soldiers (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps), with the annual Anzac Day March beginning here with the laying of wreaths at the Dawn Service.

Pay your respects either then on the 25th April, or any other time of year.

"Lest We Forget"

Lights, Camera - You!

Seven Network's television studio gives fans a chance to spy their favourite TV hosts, the Sunrise and Sky News programs shooting daily.

You can even be on TV through the studio window...so get those signs ready!

Catch up on the headlines with the Seven News scrolling banner

Give in to your senses...

For those with a sweet tooth, the Lindt Chocolate Cafe should hit the spot. Let the Master Chocolatiers do their worst!

...and your fantasies!

If you're feeling a little indulgent, than maybe some shopping (or window shopping) at one of the many high-end retail outlets is for you!

Maybe a surprise for that special someone?

The Final Word

Martin Place is definitely somewhere you'll want to check out, you never know what surprises will be in store in this buzzing urban centre!

I'll be back sometime soon, but before that, you'll be meeting the rest of the awesome Sydney Destinations team - is your body ready?

Laters,

- Stewie

Don't ask...

Want to learn more?

• City of Sydney - Martin Place
• Wikipedia - Martin Place
• Dictionary of Sydney - Martin Place

Welcome to Sydney!

New to Sydney?

Know it by heart?

Come with us on a journey of discovery like no other.

Hey readers!

Sydney's a pretty awesome city - so over the coming months, we here at Sydney Destinations will be bringing you all sorts of cool stuff on its many amazing landmarks, locales, events, experiences... and even some little secrets (ssh)

So who's writing this thing?

I'm Matt Stewart (call me Stewie), one of many contributors to this blog. You'll be meeting the rest of the team soon!

I've lived in Sydney my whole life, so I'm keen to share my accumulated knowledge with you.

We're all at Macquarie Uni, a chill grassy/leafy place you can see on the map here:



View Macquarie University in a larger map

But enough on uni - Sydney has much more interesting sights to see than classrooms and cosplaying lecturers.

Want a peek behind the scenes? Here's a look at an early concept for the blog you're currently reading. By the time you see it, the layout might have developed quite a bit. 

So that's about it for this first post - check back soon for a proper Sydney post I'm working on.

Oh - and don't forget to follow us on Twitter @syddestinations.

- Stewie