Sydney ObservatoryvsTaronga Zoo
Both are recommended by reviewers writing for major publications. Overall, Taronga Zoo ranks marginally better than Sydney Observatory. Taronga Zoo ranks #14 in Sydney with recommendations from 5 publications like Fodor's, Lonely Planet and Frommer's.
Sydney Observatory
Fodor's
Lonely Planet
Condé Nast Traveler
Time Out
Afar Magazine
Frommer's
1003 Upper Fort Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000
From $0/night
Fodor's "Originally a signaling station for communicating with ships anchored in the harbor, this handsome building on top of Observatory Hill is now an astronomy museum." Full review
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"Built in the 1850s, Sydney’s copper-domed, Italianate observatory squats atop Observatory Hill , overlooking Millers Point and the harbour." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Built in the 1850s, the Sydney Observatory houses Australia's oldest working telescope." Full review
Time Out "The East Dome houses a new state-of-the-art telescope with an "articulated relay eyepiece" – basically a piece of tech that allows people in wheelchairs easy viewing through the telescope. " Full review
Afar Magazine "The resident astronomer will target planets such as Jupiter and Saturn as well as only-in-the-southern-hemisphere sights such as the Southern Cross constellation." Full review
Frommer's "The city’s only major observatory offers visitors a chance to see the southern skies through modern and historic telescopes" Full review
Taronga Zoo Fodor's
Concierge Lonely Planet Frommer's
Michelin Guide Time Out Time Out Time Out Time Out
Travel + Leisure Show All Reviews
Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, New South Wales 2088
From $0/night
Fodor's "Sydney's zoo, in a natural bush area on the harbor's north shore, houses an extensive collection of Australian fauna, including everybody's favorite marsupial, the koala." Full review
Concierge "Arriving by ferry and then being whisked by cable car high above the animals is the way to make an entrance to this sensational harborside zoo."
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"A 12-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay or a short drive from Manly, Taronga Zoo has 75 hectares of bushy harbour hillside chock-full of kangaroos, koalas and similarly hirsute Australians." Full review
Frommer's "Taronga has the best view of any zoo in the world. Set on a hill, it looks out over Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"The stars are the koalas, platypus, Asian elephants, lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinoceri, meerkats and lemurs." Full review
Time Out "It's beautifully laid out, the paths are wide and meandering, and – most importantly – the place is full of animals." Full review
Time Out "Roar and Snore is Taronga Zoo’s long-running overnight experience." Full review
i
If you want to escape, take the sky safari down to the ferry terminal – be sure you wave to the elephants – and explore Bradleys Head, where a bush walk stretches to Chowder Bay for panoramic views of the harbour.
Time Out "The Taronga Institute of Science and Learning at Taronga Zoo will teach you how to save money while you make changes that reduce your environmental footprint." Full review
Time Out "the animal inhabitants at the zoo are an impressive bunch." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The breezy, 12-minute harbor ferry ride from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo is half the fun." Full review
i
Don't miss the cute, smaller Australian marsupials in the nocturnal house.
