For the past few years, a visit to Taronga Zoo hasn’t been quite the same but we are one step closer to welcoming back the popular Sky Safari.
The much-loved Sky Safari cable car, which ferried visitors up and down Taronga Zoo and gave them a bird’s-eye view of the giraffes, rhinos and zebras, has been out of operation since January 2023. But finally the Sky Safari is officially on its way back as construction work begins with visitors to Taronga Zoo able to enjoy the new and improved cable car from late 2027.
And with the refurbishment costing $105 million, the new Sky Safari is a serious upgrade on the original.
What’s new about the upgraded Sky Safari
The original cable car, which first opened in 1987 and was modernised in 2000, carried more than 20 million passengers high above Taronga Zoo’s animals to enjoy views of Sydney Harbour, before it was shut down in 2023. It was a must-do experience and when it reopens in late 2027, it will no doubt shoot straight to the top of the list of “things to do” for first-time visitors and Sydneysiders alike.
One of the biggest improvements will be felt most by families and visitors with accessibility needs. The old gondolas couldn’t accommodate wheelchairs while the new cabins are built to not only fit larger power and manual wheelchairs, they will also welcome prams and fit up to 10 people. This means large family groups and visitors of all abilities will be able to ride the cable together without having to split up – or get left at the bottom of the hill.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be one step closer to restoring this much‑loved experience,” said Taronga Zoo Executive Director Nick Boyle. “The upgraded Sky Safari reflects our commitment to being a Zoo for everyone, honouring what people loved about the original, while delivering an inclusive, sustainable and unforgettable experience that guests will enjoy for decades to come,” said Boyle.
You’ll also spend less time queuing – although maybe not when the Sky Safari first reopens. Hourly capacity jumps to 1,200 guests, up from 750, which make a massive difference on busy days and weekends when the zoo fills up with tourists and school holiday crowds.
Going to Taronga Zoo by ferry
The 12-minute ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga is one of Sydney’s best – and one of the cheapest – things to do. There’s just one problem when you get there – it’s all uphill from the Taronga Wharf to the main entrance. Those views don’t come without a price, and that price is the equivalent to climbing 22 storeys – or the height of the Sydney Opera House – to get to the top.
The Sky Safari has always been the easiest way to handle that climb, and the new lower station is being built to integrate directly with the ferry wharf: step off the boat, step into a gondola, and ride up to the main entrance. For travellers without a car and for those (most international visitors), it’s about to make the whole day far smoother.
What you’ll see from the air
The route is essentially the same as the original: a 900-metre journey over giraffes, zebras, rhinos and chimpanzees, plus a panaramic view of Sydney Harbour, across to the Harbour Bridge and Opera House ,which is regarded as one of the best in the city.
There’s also a new cultural layer. The redesign, dubbed “Saltwater + Sky Country,” weaves First Nations storytelling and design through the journey, so the ride becomes part of the zoo experience rather than just transport between exhibits and a way to save little legs.
Visiting Taronga between now and 2027
The zoo stays fully open throughout construction, although Taronga has flagged some disruptions along the way. But don’t cross it off your Sydney itinerary, just keep a few things in mind.
- Getting around without the cable car: The Taronga Wildlife Express shuttle bus runs between the upper and lower areas of the zoo, and there are two entrances (Main Entrance at the top, Lower Entrance near the wharf) so you can plan a downhill route on foot if you prefer.
- For walkers and runners: The scenic Foreshore Track section between Whiting Beach and Taronga Zoo Wharf – part of the Bondi to Manly Walk – is shut to thoroughfare from early May through to late 2027. There’s a detour which goes up Whiting Beach Road and along Bradleys Head Road before rejoining the coastal walk.
- Check before you go: Taronga is posting regular construction updates on its website, so it’s worth a quick look the day before your visit.
Will it be worth the wait?
Easier access, shorter queues, better views, and a ride that’s been designed with every kind of visitor in mind – if Taronga Zoo’s new Sky Safari can deliver all that, then it will definitely be worth the wait. For most. While I think the upgrade will be a hit with tourists, I also have a soft spot for the old Sky Safari as I have many fond memories of taking my children when they were young on rides up and down the zoo. And the small gondolas meant that you could often have the whole thing to yourself, something that’s unlikely to happen with the bigger ones.
But my verdict is that it will be an exciting new addition to a Sydney itinerary for first-time visitors and something locals and returning travellers will be adding to the top of their list of things to do.
