Parking
There are a number of disabled car parking spaces located on the ground floor of the carpark which has ramp access. There is also a drop-off Taxi rank nearby the front entrance.
Taronga Shuttle Bus
A free Taronga Shuttle will operate during school holidays between the Taronga Ferry Wharf and the Main Top Zoo Entrance, along Bradleys Head Road.
Dates: Saturday 1 July – Sunday 16 July
Times: The Shuttle service will operate from 9.15am till 3.30pm daily, in line with arriving and departing ferries
Cost: Free with Zoo ticket, Free for Wildlife Retreat at Taronga guests, Free for Function Centre guests
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible via electric ramp (up to 4 wheelchairs). Prams are encouraged to be folded where possible.
Wheelchair access
Taronga Zoo Sydney is on a site of 28 hectares and the topography is quite steep in some areas. All paths are bitumen and many that traverse the Zoo are reasonably level, however some paths linking the various levels within the Zoo are steep.
Visitors with limited mobility are still able to traverse the entire Zoo with a number of elevators and ramps located around the site, indicated on the Zoo map.
More than 95% of our animal displays are wheelchair viewable. Accessible amenities are: all food outlets, shops, shows and presentations are wheelchair accessible, and all new developments since 2001 have been fitted with elevators.
For advice on the best routes, speak to our staff at the Visitor Centre when you arrive.
Hiring a wheelchair
Top Plaza Shop, Map reference 7L
Taronga provides sturdy, all-terrain manual wheelchairs at no cost to those who require mobility assistance. ID is required and a disclaimer form must be completed. These wheelchairs must be pushed by a carer/companion and seat belts are required to be worn. Advanced booking is recommended by contacting the team.
Accessible Toilets
Wheelchair accessible toilets are located at the north and south entrances, at the Food Market, outside the Function Centre and at the Concert Lawns. There is also a wheelchair accessible bathroom at Parents Change Room located near the Giraffe exhibit. Facilities are indicated on the Zoo map.
Carers and companions
Taronga Zoo offers free entry to carers or essential companions of those with disabilities. We accept the national Companion Card.
Assistance dogs
Taronga Zoo Sydney welcomes certified Assistance Dogs on-site. However, due to the nature of the Zoo, there are a number of support measures which are in place to ensure the safety of guests, our people and the safety of our wildlife.
If you are planning a visit to Taronga Zoo Sydney with an Assistance dog, pre-arrangements need to be made by emailing us 72 hours prior to your visit date to ensure that the relevant Wildlife and Guest Experience teams are notified of your visit. Please note that school holiday periods are very busy and, where possible, avoiding this period will ensure a better experience for you and your assistance dog.
For pre-arrangements, please contact our Contact Centre team via email.
Interactive and hands-on activities
Backyard to Bush is an area that comprises of an urban home and backyard, a rural living area and the bush. The area is an exciting and stimulating area for children with and without special needs. There are interactive displays, graphic material and features in the House that make it like a real family home, a backyard which has petting animals and a garden with many fragrant plants and vegetables, an adventure playground with a water-play area and interactive musical stepping points.
Covered areas in this exhibit include the “Keen House” in the urban section, the farmyard barn and the underground wombat burrow in the “bush” section. Toilets (including disability accessible facilities) are adjacent.
Large models of animals including a life size gorilla, komodo dragon, rhinoceros and elephants can be found throughout the grounds. These can be fully explored by children with vision impairments.
Tactile experiences are also provided to visitors including ‘touch-tables’ and smaller interpretive sculptures including a variety of comparative skull and hand/paw installations.
Autism Services
Taronga offers a range of services designed to enhance the Zoo experience for our guests with Autism. Find out more about our Access Taronga days.