Taronga or Cairns Tropical Zoo?
 

I would like to visit one zoo during my trip to Australia next month. I am deciding between Taronga in Sydney or Cairns Tropical Zoo. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

There is absolutely no comparison - Taronga Park is a world-class zoo, probably in best surroundings of any zoo in the world. Cairns Tropical is OK for local fauna, koalas, crocs, birds etc but very insignificant compared with Taronga Park.

Scratch that "probably" -- the setting of Taronga makes every other zoo in the world look like a bus station. But remember that "local fauna" is in fact what people want to see; no one travels all that way to Australia to see another elephant. Taronga does have a good, not great, selection of Australian critters. They do have most of the ones you'll want to see most, though.

I haven't been to Cairns Tropical Zoo so I can't compare.

I really enjoyed the Melbourne zoo, as well, especially the immense aviary. Though I did spend a very enjoyable fifteen minutes just a few feet away from a Paradise Riflebird, the only one in captivity, at Taronga. And when you first catch a glimpse of the giraffe, with the Sydney Opera House perfectly placed in the background, I guarantee you will burn out the battery in your camera!

Why limit yourself to just one? Go to Taronga for the setting, the shows whatever animals you want to see (we made a bee-line for the Australian ones) The food there is even decent with an awesome view. And the ferry ride back to downtown is great. Then when you get to Cairns, plan an hour or so for the Tropical Zoo where you can be up close and personal to the animals. They have a nice collection of "rogue" crocodiles and their stories are hair-raising (and interesting.) You can walk through the kangaroo area and feed them. Their reptile house is quite interesting (and I am not a big fan of snakes.) And best of all, you can hold a koala and they will take your picture (and then let your partner take pictures with your own camera once you agree to pay for theirs. And their pictures were very good quality.) They walk around with other animals that you can see up close and learn about. The food there isn't too bad, and the people are very friendly and it is easy to get to on the bus. Have fun--wish we were going with you!
Sally in Seattle

Thanks for the suggestions - it looks like Taronga it is! Does anyone know if Taronga allows you to hold koalas?

We were at Taronga a few years ago and at that time they would let you have your photo taken with a koala but next to it, not holding it. Not sure if that is still the case now.

Taronga is a gorgeous zoo -- we spent an afternoon there and it wasn't enough. I would go back.

Norwood - if koala cuddling is your aim would have immediately suggested Cairns Tropical Zoo as its one of the very last zoos which allow the practice. Lots of koalas, with 4 new babies recently born. Rainforest Habitat, near Port Douglas has a great selection of local wildlife including the Lumholtz tree kangaroo - its a walkthrough type of animal park and only the crocodiles are penned. They do not allow you to hold a koala, you can be photographed next to one. Further north, Daintree Mangrove Sanctuary has an amazing collection of Australian birds, as well as dingoes, crocs, quolls, pythons, and lovely little sugar gliders.

Still think you shouldn't miss Taronga Park though, this is one of the world's top zoos and just a ferry ride from Sydney's Circular Quay.

We visited Taronga and were absolutely blown away. Definitely allow a whole day, since there is so much to see.

Norwood,

FYI, they now have a "behind the scenes" option at the zoo which sounds like it might be just the ticket for you!

http://www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/content/view.asp?id=1139

Also, you can also spend the night at the zoo if that appeals to you!

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Kennedy Kruises & Travel

We did the VIP Gold tour for Taronga which took us into several cages to get up close to many Australian animals. Escorted by 2 volunteers and much of the tour is similar to the "behind the scenes tour" referenced above. Highly recommended.

We went to Oz last summer and visited both of these zoos. We did Taronga first and it is unmissable. The setting is amazing and the range of animals fab. You could have your photo taken in the koala enclosure NEXT to a koala but you weren't allowed to touch them. We hired a guide, an elderly lady who told us all about the animals as a treat for our sons birthday. She was amazed he knew more than her, but it was only a few dollars and she was great. We took a cable car up to Kuranda where the zoo was in Cairns. It was only small in comparison to Taronga, but the admission price was worth it for the walk through the kangaroos and the chance to feed them by hand. We all had photos holding the koalas too. They didn't rush us and we could also use our own camera for photos. It was a once in a lifetime amazing experience and a real dream come true for me - I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Enjoy your trip!

The first thing you will see when you get off the aerial tram at Taronga is a very large, very bedraggled stuffed koala that you can hold and cuddle to your heart's content! http://www.flickr.com/photos/fnarf/127202002/