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wildlife · Sydney

Taronga Zoo: Private Wildlife Encounter & VIP Safari

Sydney's world-class zoo sits on a harbourside escarpment with views that rival the city's finest restaurants. Go beyond the gates with a VIP Wildlife Retreat experience for intimate, expert-led encounters with koalas, wombats, and iconic Australian fauna.

What to expect

A short, scenic 12-minute Taronga Ferry from Circular Quay delivers you directly to the lower wharf, already with stunning harbour views. The VIP keeper-led experience takes you into animal areas closed to the public — hand-feeding a koala, walking among free-range kangaroos, and learning the rehabilitation stories of each resident. The zoo's elevated setting means the Harbour Bridge and Opera House form a backdrop to almost every enclosure. Afterwards, lunch at the Harbourview Café — with arguably the finest unobstructed harbour panorama in Sydney — is the perfect finale.

Book it with
Taronga Zoo Sydney (official)
AUD 49 per adult (general admission); AUD 119–279 per person (VIP Wildlife Encounters & Behind-the-Scenes tours)
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Good to know

The Taronga Ferry departs Circular Quay (Wharf 2), a 5-minute walk from the OPT — ferry journey is 12 minutes and is itself a scenic delight. Book VIP experiences directly with Taronga well in advance (2–3 weeks minimum); these sell out quickly. General admission is available on the day but VIP experiences are not. Allow at least 4 hours; last ferry back to Circular Quay runs early evening.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Sydney — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Oceania · Oceania Riviera
12 nights · round-trip from Sydney, Australia
from $2,850
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Oceania · Oceania Sirena
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Azamara · Azamara Pursuit
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