Humble Traveller: Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo in Sydney is well worth a few hours of anyone's life. It is my second favorite zoo in the world (after Singapore Zoo Night Safari) and, as it is on the harbour, you get the added benefit of getting out on the water as part of the trip.

Let's get going. First up, as we're in Balmain and we have to go to Circular Quay, it makes sense to get a ferry. Hie thee, then, to East Balmain ferry terminal.

To get one of these babies.

To Circular Quay - which is like central station for the ferries.

Now get your combined ticket:

Go to any one of the ferry ticket booths.
Ask for a combined ferry / cable car / zoo entry ticket (about 40 bucks as of now).
Check the departure boards to find out which wharf the next ferry to Taronga Zoo is leaving from.

And we're off. Can't leave Circular Quay without going past the Sydney Opera House.

Lots of kids out on the water today.

This is the approach to the zoo's ferry terminal. Up the hill are some of the zoo buildings and, on the left is the cable car - which is our next destination.

The zoo is on a hill. And the cable car goes to the top. Do I have to spell it out. Lazy people use the car to get to the top and then walk down again. That's me.

And you go over some of the animals, too.

A must-see is the free flight bird show. It was on at 3pm today so we hot-footed our way to catch it. Some of the zoo keepers show you some of the birds and what they can do and it really is worth getting to see.

This is the main presenter - sadly this was her last day.

That's some eagle - and it's not the biggest one they have.

This bird is looking at a tasty morsel of food in the girl's hand.

And there is an owl.

Meercats - always good for a laugh.

A tapir - they have really good camouflage.

The West-End Hotel on a Saturday night.

A penguin - who is probably a bit hot.

This is the old elephant house which has a distinct Indian feel to it. The new one - not long opened - is more Thai (on account of that's where the elephants came from).