Read just about any “Things to do in Sydney” article that Google can supply for you, and you’ll undoubtedly see Taronga Zoo over and over as one suggestion. But Tarogna Zoo has little to offer in uniqueness when it comes to zoos. If you’ve been to any major zoo, you’ll find that Taronga is just the same old, same old. If you want a real Australian wildlife experience, skip Taronga Zoo, because Featherdale Wildlife Park is where it’s at.

It’s less crowded

How irritating is it when you visit a place and you’re just stuck roaming through crowds? Ugh! Featherdale Wildlife Park is smaller than Taronga, and a little further out from Sydney’s city center. This means it has much less crowding than Taronga Zoo. At Featherdale, you have a better chance of getting good up-close views of the animals, and can spend more time at the exhibits rather than feeling rushed.

It’a all about Australian wildlife

Australian wildlife is made up of some of the most unique species on our planet. Visitors to Australia don’t need to waste their time looking at elephants or gorillas, when those animals aren’t even native to the area. Featherdale Wildlife Park isn’t going to waste your time with animals you see at every other zoo. Here, you will see everything Aussie: koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, and even tasmanian devils!

They’ve got great talks

Lots of zoos offer talks where a zoo keeper will talk to the public about different animals and offer lots of good information. The talks at Featherdale Wildlife Park are even cooler because they introduce you to the unique animals of Australia. For example, did you know that a female tasmanian devil can give birth to up to 40 joeys at one time? Or that dingoes actually don’t bark? I sure didn’t until I listened to Featherdale’s awesome animal talks.

You can make new friends

A visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park will give you lots of opportunities to make new friends with the locals. They have several areas you can enter, where kangaroos and wallabys roam freely. With a $2 purchase of animal food, you’ll be making friends in no time. As always, please be respectful of the animals in these areas. No chasing or holding onto the animals. And watch your fingers because the animals do have teeth…

Save your dollars

Of course, we can’t overlook the fact that a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Center is cheaper than the Taronga Zoo! Entrance for one adult to Taronga is currently $46AUD, while a trip to Featherdale will only set you back $31AUD. That’s a difference of $15 you can use towards bringing home a sweet souvenir from the gift shop! Or hey, you can even donate it to help keep Featherdale Wildlife Park and it’s initiatives in operation.

So there you have it. While you are planning your Sydney itinerary, go ahead and cross Taronga Zoo off your list and replace it with Featherdale Wildlife Park. You won’t regret it!

*Photos taken by my amazingly talented husband who has a much better camera than I.

Looking for more to do in Sydney? Check out How to do Sydney in One Day and these 15 Free Things to do in Sydney. Or, try taking a day trip out to the Blue Mountains! 

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