Home to more than 4,000 animals, Sydney’s Taronga Zoo is a genuine urban jungle. From Western Lowland Gorillas and Sumatran Tigers to Hairy Nosed Wombats and Tasmanian Tigers, the zoo showcases more than 350 species from across the globe. As a not-for-profit organisation supporting wildlife conservation, entrance fees are put towards helping the zoo achieve its goal of “securing a shared future for wildlife and people.”

Every day, keepers put on more than 20 talks and shows. This means there are plenty of opportunities to walk on the wild side and find out more about the zoo’s residents. Breeding programmes and conservation efforts are a top priority, with the zoo working hard to protect local species like the Corroboree Frog and the Long-Nosed Bandicoot, as well as international species like the Black Rhino, Asian Elephant, Chimpanzee, Snow Leopard and Red Panda.

Taronga Zoo is just a 12-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, and can also be accessed by bus or train. With breath-taking views of Sydney Harbour, it’s easy to see why the zoo was named after the Indigenous word Taronga, meaning ‘beautiful view.’

Officially opened in 1916, Taronga Zoo has been enchanting both locals and visitors for decades. It even attracted the likes of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their eight-month- old baby son, Prince George, during a royal tour in 2014.