At a glance
- Ferry
- 12 minutes from Circular Quay, with ferries leaving Wharf 4 every 30 minutes. The Lower Zoo Entrance is a 3-minute walk from the wharf
- Parking
- $24 all day ($12 for Zoo Friends). Free if you enter and exit within 90 minutes before 4pm. Height limit 2.1 m
- Buses
- Route 100 from the city (QVB) to Mosman every 10 to 20 minutes, and route 238 between Balmoral Beach, the zoo and the ferry wharf
- Opening hours
- Every day of the year. September to April 9:30am to 5pm, May to August 9:30am to 4:30pm
- Address
- Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
- Who it’s for
- Anyone planning to reach Taronga Zoo Sydney by ferry, bus, train or car
- What to do now
- Note the 2.1 m car park height limit if you are driving; the zoo is cashless
- Last checked
- Sunday 8 November 2026, against the Taronga Zoo Sydney website
- Not yet confirmed
- The pages do not give the number of car spaces, whether parking must be booked ahead, or the 2026-27 school-holiday shuttle dates
The quickest way to Taronga Zoo from the city is the ferry: 12 minutes from Circular Quay, with departures from Wharf 4 every 30 minutes, according to the zoo’s getting-here page, checked on Sunday 8 November 2026. If you drive, parking is on site, entered from Bradleys Head Road, and costs $24 for the day, or $12 for Zoo Friends. It is free if you enter and leave within 90 minutes before 4pm. The zoo is on Bradleys Head Road in Mosman, on Sydney Harbour.
How do I get to Taronga Zoo by ferry?
The getting-here page says ferries leave Circular Quay Wharf 4 every 30 minutes, and the trip takes 12 minutes. It says Captain Cook Cruises and NRMA Fantasea services are available. You arrive at the Lower Zoo Entrance, which is a 3-minute walk from the wharf. If you are coming by train, catch a train to Circular Quay station and transfer to the ferry at Wharf 4.
The page lists the zoo’s links to the Transport for NSW trip planner and ferry routes, but it does not give fares. Use the Transport for NSW trip planner to check the fare and the next departure for your trip, and the two ferry operators’ own websites if you choose one of the zoo-linked services.
Which buses go to Taronga Zoo?
| Route | What the zoo says |
|---|---|
| 100 | City (QVB) to Mosman, every 10 to 20 minutes |
| 238 | Balmoral Beach to the zoo and the ferry wharf |
The page describes both as direct routes from the city and Mosman. It also lists the zoo’s links to the Transport for NSW bus routes page, which is the place to confirm current timetables.
How much is parking at Taronga Zoo?
| Parking option | Price |
|---|---|
| All-day parking | $24 |
| All-day parking for Zoo Friends | $12 |
| Entering and exiting within 90 minutes, before 4pm | Free |
Prices are as of November 2026. Entry is via Bradleys Head Road. The page says the car park has a height limit of 2.1 m. The pages do not say how many spaces there are, and they do not say whether you need to book a space beforehand.
Where do buses and coaches park, and where is drop-off?
Bus and coach parking is available, and the zoo asks groups to call 02 9969 2777. The page lists limited roadside parking and three dedicated bus and coach spaces on Bradleys Head Road, on a first in, first served basis. Passenger drop-off and pick-up is at the Main Entrance Bus Zone. For enquiries, call 02 9969 2777.
Is there a shuttle bus in the school holidays?
Yes, in NSW school holidays. The zoo runs a free shuttle between the ferry wharf and the Main Entrance, free with a zoo ticket and for Retreat and function guests. The page lists the 2026 winter holiday dates, Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July 2026, from 9.15am to 3.30pm daily. Those dates have passed, and the page does not yet list the summer 2026-27 dates, so check the page before the school holidays start. The shuttle is wheelchair accessible for up to four wheelchairs, and prams should be folded where possible.
What time does Taronga Zoo open?
The visitor information page says the zoo is open every day, 365 days a year. In summer (September to April) it opens 9:30am to 5pm, and in winter (May to August) 9:30am to 4:30pm. The contact number is (02) 9969 2777 and the email is tz@zoo.nsw.gov.au.
What else should I know before I go?
Taronga Zoo Sydney is a cashless zoo, according to the visitor information page, and a cashless vending machine sells pre-paid Visa EFTPOS cards. The Taronga Wildlife Express train costs $5 each way and is free for Members. The page also warns that, as the zoo continues to build, some areas may be temporarily closed or affected.
For accessibility, the zoo’s accessibility page lists accessible parking, an accessible shuttle bus, wheelchair access, accessible amenities, Companion Cards, assistance animals, Auslan access and autism services. The page lists these as headings; it gives no details under them.
Sources
- Taronga Zoo Sydney — Getting here (checked 8 November 2026)
- Taronga Zoo Sydney — Visitor information (checked 8 November 2026)
- Taronga Zoo Sydney — Accessibility
Featured image: Taronga Zoo ferry wharf seen from a departing ferry (photo: State Transport Regions / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Taronga Zoo Sydney or the Zoological Parks Board of NSW. Prices and timetables can change, so confirm them on the zoo’s website before you go.