Sydney Zoo: Koala & Aussie Big 5 Ticket & Photo Pass

You're in Darling Harbour. The koalas are ten minutes away.

You enter WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and move through ten habitat zones at your own speed, standing close to koalas, kangaroos, platypuses and crocodiles. Your ticket covers entry and free digital photos from themed stations throughout the zoo. The location is central, the layout is manageable, and you can spend two hours or four depending on how long you linger: no guide, no fixed schedule, just you and the animals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

• Arrive at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
• Explore Aussie Big 5 animals
• Visit 10 immersive zones
• See Tasmanian devils and bilbies
• Walk through Daintree Rainforest habitat
• Experience Koala Rooftop encounter

The experience

You've just landed in Sydney or you're halfway through your trip and the afternoon is open. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo sits right in the city center at Darling Harbour, which means no long drive, no complicated transport. You walk off the street and you're in. The zoo is built around the Aussie Big 5: koala, kangaroo, platypus, crocodile and wombat. Ten zones, each one a different Australian habitat. You move through them at your own pace, which matters because some people spend twenty minutes watching a platypus and some people move through in two hours. There's no script, no tour group holding you back.

The Koala Rooftop is the thing people talk about after. It's the one spot where you get close enough to actually see the animal, not just the shape of it behind glass. The Daintree Rainforest zone feels like stepping into actual jungle, and the Kangaroo Walkabout lets you stand in the same space as them. Crocodile Billabong, Platypus Pool, Nightfall (which is exactly what it sounds like, nocturnal animals, dim lighting, the whole mood shifts). Tasmanian devils, bilbies, cassowaries, Goodfellow's tree kangaroos: the rare ones, the endangered ones, the animals most people only see in photos. The zoo doesn't try to be enormous. It's focused, which is why you actually remember what you saw instead of just walking past a hundred enclosures.

Your ticket includes entry and a digital photo pass, which means the zoo's photo stations capture you at each zone and you can download them later without paying extra. Wheelchairs are available at the admissions desk if you need one, and every area is accessible: ramps, flat surfaces, no surprises. If you're bringing kids under 16, they need an adult with them, but strollers work fine and the whole thing is designed so you're not fighting crowds or racing against closing time. Public transport gets you there, or you can grab a cab straight to Darling Harbour.

What’s included

Your ticket includes admission to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and a complimentary digital photo pass with photos from themed photo stations throughout the zoo (print purchases are available separately). Wheelchairs are available at the admissions desk at no extra cost.

Options for this experience

4 options

Standard admission, Off Peak season6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 15:00Open from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm

Standard admission, Super Peak seasonAvailable from 26 Dec · 30 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:45Open from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm

Standard admission, Peak season26 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 15:45Open from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm

Admission+Breakfast w Koalas07:15A guided highlights tour of WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo that ends with a buffet-style breakfast alongside koalas. Departure is at 7:30am, so please arrive at the main entrance no later than 7:15am. Breakfast begins at 7:30am.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day31 departure times: the first at 07:15, the last at 16:45

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (2 to 15 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Merlin Entertainments Group

Is this one for you?Right for anyone with a few hours in Sydney who wants to see Australia's most recognizable animals without arranging a day trip outside the city: the Darling Harbour location and self-guided pace mean you fit it around the rest of your day.

Traveler reviews

4.15★★★★★★★★★★

217 verified traveler reviews

5 ★119

4 ★50

3 ★24

2 ★10

1 ★14

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 15 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How long does it take to go through the whole zoo?

Most people spend two to four hours. There's no set route, so it depends on how long you stop at each zone.

Can I take my own photos?

Yes. The digital photo pass gives you free photos from the zoo's themed stations, but you can use your phone or camera anywhere.

Is it accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available at the admissions desk.

Where exactly is WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo?

Darling Harbour, in the heart of Sydney. Public transport stops are nearby, and it's walkable from the city center.

What animals will I see?

The Aussie Big 5 (koala, kangaroo, platypus, crocodile, wombat) plus Tasmanian devils, bilbies, cassowaries, and Goodfellow's tree kangaroos.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are welcome.