First installed to its iconic position in 1987 and then upgraded in 2000, the Sky Safari is one of Taronga's most loved experiences and has transported more than 20 million passengers over its lifetime.
Time flies when you’re having fun, but after 35 years of the high life, the time came for the Sky Safari to retire on January 31 2023. The Sky Safari was an ageing asset and reached the end of its workable life with Taronga.
Its retirement paves the way for a proposed upgrade which would see the Sky Safari transformed into an unforgettable and fully accessible family experience. Pending planning approval, the upgraded Sky Safari is scheduled to open in 2027-2028.
Planning your visit
While the original Sky Safari is in retirement, we are committed to ensuring we support our guests in moving safely and efficiently around the Zoo.
Guests to Taronga Zoo Sydney can enter through the iconic heritage gates at the Main Entrance at the top of the Zoo, or the Lower Zoo Entrance which is a 3-minute walk from the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf.
Guests arriving via ferry can enter via the Lower Entrance on Bradleys Head Road or catch the regular public bus from the Ferry Terminal to the Top Main Entrance. Additional buses will be provided by Taronga Zoo in holiday and peak periods to assist with moving guests to the Top Entrance.
Accessibility
We’re committed to ensuring guests of all ages and abilities can enjoy a day out at the Taronga Zoo. Guests needing assistance to return to the top of the zoo can make use of the public and shuttle buses connecting the lower exit of the zoo to the top entrance.
Our accessibility map also helps guests plan their route through the Zoo to avoid steeper slopes.
Read more about our accessibility here.
Exciting things ahead
Plans are underway for an exciting new experience. The revitalised Sky Safari has been designed with accessibility at its core. It will feature additional larger and accessible gondolas, providing greater access to the Zoo for guests of all ages and abilities, and be able to accommodate larger prams and both power and manual wheelchairs.
The upgraded Sky Safari will continue to provide a unique way for guests to see and engage with an array of wildlife, many of which are critically endangered, and will be an opportunity for guests to Connect with Country through First Nations storytelling and design elements throughout the Sky Safari journey.
The proposed design for the upgraded Sky Safari can be viewed here.
Follow us along the journey as we build a Zoo for the future!
