.jpg)
A Heritage-Listed View
‘Taronga’ is a local Aboriginal word meaning “beautiful view”. The view over the giraffe enclosure at Taronga Zoo and across Sydney Harbour, Australia, is indeed beautiful – and has actually been heritage-listed .
The only thing better than a day at a zoo is a day at the zoo with young children.
Add trips across Sydney Harbour on a summer day, and the whole experience is hard to beat.
Christmas was fast approaching, and my young grandchildren were visiting with their parents. My husband and I decided that rather than buying ‘things’, we would ‘gift’ us all a day at the unbeatable Taronga Zoo (see: A Tale of Two Tarongas).
The historic Taronga Zoo was originally opened in 1916 in the Sydney suburb of Mosman, on the northern shores of Sydney Harbour. While it is a long drive from anywhere, using the city’s public transport ferry network makes getting there half the fun – especially in good weather. From Circular Quay in Sydney’s Central Business District, the iconic Sydney Ferries get you across the harbour in only 12 minutes.
The views are included in the price!
Join us at the zoo.
.jpg)
Sydney Harbour
The views over Sydney Harbour are wonderful from the ferries that criss-cross the waters.
.jpg)
A Sydney Ferry on the Harbour
The Sydney Ferries operate nine different classes of vessels; this is one of the First Fleet Class – true Sydney icons.
Another Sydney Icon
On Bennelong Point in the harbour, the renowned Sydney Opera House sits in front of the city centre.
Over the Elephants
At the ferry dock, a gondola lift takes visitors up to the zoo; …
Glee
… everyone is excited to see the animals below.
Wompoo Fruit-Dove – Ptilinopus Magnificus
Our first stop was at an aviary where we were enclosed with a multitude of birds, including this fat native of eastern Australia and neighbouring New Guinea.
Australian White Ibis – Threskiornis Molucca
Unlike the shy doves, the local ibis variant has adapted so well to the the growing cities that it affectionately known as the ‘[rubbish] bin chicken’.
Australian Brush-Turkey – Alectura Lathami
Scrub turkeys are commonly seen scrabbling on the ground or building their mounds on Australia’s east coast – well north of where I live.
Ring-Tailed Lemur – Lemur Catta
Madagascar is on my bucket list. In the meantime, the lemur enclosure provides close encounters with these endangered primates.
The Old Elephant House
Taronga Zoo first opened in 1916, and some of the buildings bear testimony to these earlier times. Some of the original enclosures – like the old elephant house – remind us how zoos used to be.
Looking Out
Modeled on the buildings of Northern India, the old elephant house certainly had charm.
Tasmanian Devil – Sarcophilus Harrisii
I always find Tasmanian devils a challenge to photograph: they have very quick and erratic movements.
Interacting with the Devil
Modern zoos have multiple viewing points; I love how the glass wall allows children close – but safe – contact with different animals.
Meerkat – Suricata Suricatta
Cuteness overload! I could watch these little mongooses all day.
Seal Theatre
We watched our timing, and made it to poolside …
Performing Seal
… in time to watch the seals work for their dinner.
Gorilla Feeding
Another zoo favourite are the gorillas; …
Silverback
… to keep the animals alert and mentally engaged, their food is placed in puzzle boxes.
Kookaburra – Dacelo
Australian natives hang around in the trees.
Asian Elephant – Elephas Maximus
In the plain enclosure we saw from the gondola, the Asian elephants gather with their young.
Gondola with a View
Overhead, the gondolas continue to run.
Spoonbill on the Koi Pond
“Rustic Bridge”
Opened in 1915, this bridge was one of Taronga’s earliest landscape features. Designed as a romantic pathway across a natural gully, it was reminiscent of Italian grottoes.
Eagle and Handler
It is always thrilling to watch raptors go through their paces.
Tiger Reflections
Critically endangered Sumatran tigers (panthera tigris sondaica) are housed in the relatively new Tiger Trek precinct.
Tiger, Tiger!
Even at a distance, they are magnificent.
On the Croc
The little one finds a life-size saltwater crocodile, and makes friends.
Iguana
Inside Reptile World, a huge range of living reptiles, large and small, are on display.
… and Back Again.
The short trip back across Sydney Harbour is a beautiful end to a lovely day out.
Being with young children in a zoo which promotes education and conservation for the future is a great way to spend a summer day – a true gift to us all.
Pictures: 15December2017
