Last Updated on June 17, 2026 by Michael L
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Review: Is It Worth Visiting With Kids?
I’ve visited WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo more times than I can count with my 4-year old son.
As Merlin Annual Pass holders, we’ve spent more than a dozen times over the past 3 years visiting Sydney’s major attractions, including SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, Sydney Tower Eye and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.
Located right in the heart of Darling Harbour, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo offers visitors the chance to see some of Australia’s most iconic animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles and platypuses.
It’s one of the most convenient wildlife attractions in Sydney, particularly for families staying in the Sydney CBD or looking for a fun rainy-day activity.
But is it actually worth visiting? After all, Sydney already has fantastic zoos like Taronga Zoo and Sydney Zoo, and if you’re travelling with limited time and a family budget, you’ll want to know whether WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo also deserves a spot on your itinerary. Here’s our honest WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo review.
In this review, I’ll break down:
- What is WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo?
- Ticket prices and how to get the best value
- Animals and exhibits you can see
- Our Favourite Highlights
- How long you need
- Final Verdict: Is it worth it?
Recommended Tickets:
- General Admission Ticket – Best for one-off visits – Save 20% online
- 2 Attraction Pass – Save up to 40% if you bundle with another attraction
- Annual Pass – Get unlimited access for 12 months for as little as $119
*Online prices are usually cheaper than buying at the door
What Is WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo?
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is a compact indoor wildlife attraction located in Darling Harbour. Unlike larger zoos such as Taronga Zoo, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo focuses on showcasing Australia’s most iconic native animals in a smaller and more accessible setting.
You’ll find kangaroos, koalas, wombats, crocodiles, platypuses, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, snakes, reptiles and a range of native bird species. It’s particularly popular with tourists and families visiting the city and anyone looking for a rainy-day activity.
For our family, the biggest draw cards is it’s convenient location and indoor setting. It’s super easy to combine with nearby attractions such as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and Sydney Tower Eye, making it a good option if you’re exploring Darling Harbour.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Tickets
As of 2026, the cost of a general admission ticket is $49 AUD per adult and $36 AUD per child. While this isn’t exactly cheap, there are ways to get a better deal.
To avoid paying full price, I recommend you book your tickets online, at least one day out, to save yourself 20% off!
Multi Attraction Pass
For most visitors, the best value option is to buy the multi-attraction pass which combines WILD LIFE Zoo with either SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds or Sydney Tower Eye, saving you an extra 40-60% off!
Below are the prices for a multi-attraction pass versus buying a single attraction ticket
- Single Attraction from $39 (WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo only)
- 2 Attraction pass from $49 (save 40% off)
- 3 Attraction pass from $54 (save 55% off)
- 4 Attraction pass from $59 (save 60% off)
Annual Pass
If you’re a local Sydney resident with young kids, I highly recommend buying the merlin annual pass which unlocks unlimited entry visits for 12 months for only $119 per person or $99 for renewing members
As a family with a 4 year old son, I can honestly say I’ve visited WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo more than 20x times over the course of 2-3 years since being annual pass holders. For us, the cost has definitely been worth it!
It only takes about 2-3 visits before the annual pass pays for itself so you will want to factor this in your decision.
Animals and Exhibits You Can See
One thing that surprises many first-time visitors is just how many Australian animals are packed into WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.
While it’s much smaller than Taronga Zoo, you’ll still find many of Australia’s most iconic species, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles, platypuses, Tasmanian devils, echidnas and more.
Saltwater Crocodiles
For our family, the crocodile exhibit is one of the biggest highlights.
Benji loves the interactive crocodile display that appears to jump out at visitors with sound effects, and the underwater viewing area lets you get surprisingly close to these enormous reptiles.
Koalas
The koala area near the upstairs café is one of the best places in the attraction to stop and take photos.
During most of our visits we’ve been able to get a clear view of koalas resting in the trees without fighting through large crowds.
Kangaroos and Wallabies
One of the things international visitors often enjoy most is getting up close to kangaroos.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo includes an outdoor section where you can see kangaroos and wallabies from much closer than many visitors expect.
Wombats and Tasmanian Devils
These are two animals that overseas visitors often haven’t seen before.
The wombat can sometimes be sleeping or hiding in its burrow, but if you’re lucky enough to catch it awake, it’s always a crowd favourite.
The Tasmanian Devil exhibit is also worth a look, especially when they’re active.
Platypuses and Nocturnal Animals
The platypus exhibit is another standout.
After the koala area you’ll move into sections featuring platypuses and nocturnal Australian animals such as bilbies and gliders.
These exhibits give visitors a glimpse into a side of Australian wildlife that many tourists never get to see.
Reptiles, Frogs and Other Wildlife
Throughout the attraction you’ll also encounter:
- Tree kangaroos
- Echidnas
- Cassowaries
- Frogs
- Snakes
- Lizards and reptiles
For Benji, the reptiles and frogs are always among the most exciting exhibits.
Our Favourite Highlights
The Crocodile Exhibit
If I had to choose one standout exhibit, it would be the crocodiles. Not only can you see these enormous animals from above, but there are also viewing areas that allow you to see them underwater.
For young kids, it’s a surprisingly impressive experience. Benji especially loves the interactive crocodile display near the entrance to the exhibit. Push the button and a giant crocodile appears on screen with loud sound effects that make it feel as though it’s jumping out at you. Even after multiple visits, he still gets excited every time.
The Koala Viewing Area
Upstairs near the café is one of the best places to see koalas. The koalas are often resting in the trees and it’s usually easy to get good photos without fighting through large crowds.
The Kangaroo Walk-Through Area
One of the things that makes WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo feel more immersive is the opportunity to get relatively close to kangaroos and wallabies. It’s not every day international visitors get to see kangaroos this close.
The Nocturnal Animal Zone
Another underrated section is the nocturnal animal area. Here you’ll find animals such as bilbies and gliders moving around in low-light environments designed to mimic nighttime conditions.
It’s a nice reminder that some of Australia’s most fascinating wildlife only comes alive after dark.
Things We Didn’t Love
The biggest thing to understand is that WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is not a traditional zoo. If you’re expecting something on the scale of Taronga Zoo or Sydney Zoo, you’ll probably leave disappointed.
The entire attraction can comfortably be completed in one to two hours. There are no large open spaces. There aren’t hundreds of animal species.
And it doesn’t feel like a full-day destination. For some visitors this will be a downside. For others, especially families with young children, it’s actually one of the attraction’s strengths.
Is WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Good For Kids?
Absolutely. In fact, I would argue that young children are the ideal audience. The attraction is compact, mostly indoors, easy to navigate and doesn’t require the amount of walking that larger zoos demand.
Because many of the exhibits are located close together, children can see a wide variety of animals without becoming tired or losing interest. It’s also one of Sydney’s better rainy-day family activities.
How Long Does It Take To Visit?
Most first-time visitors should allow around 1.5 to 2 hours.
If you’re travelling with young children who enjoy stopping at every exhibit, it may take a little longer. As annual pass holders, we can comfortably walk through in around an hour.
One of the advantages of the shorter visit time is that it’s easy to combine with another Darling Harbour attraction on the same day. Many families pair it with SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium or Madame Tussauds.
Final Verdict: Is WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Worth Visiting?
Yes—but I’d recommend buying a Multi Attraction Pass rather than a standalone ticket.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is a great option for families, tourists and anyone wanting to see Australia’s most iconic animals without leaving the Sydney CBD.
However, the attraction really delivers its best value when combined with SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds or Sydney Tower Eye using a Multi Attraction Pass.
As Merlin Annual Pass holders, we’ve visited WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo more times than I can count over the last few years with our son—and it’s one of those attractions we happily keep coming back to.
My recommendation: Buy the Multi Attraction Pass if you’re visiting Sydney for a few days. It’s the best value option for most families.
Best Value Ticket:
Multi Attraction Pass – Save up to 60% by combining WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo with other Sydney attractions like SEA LIFE Aquarium
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Affiliate Disclosure
Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
My goal is to help busy families make better decisions about where to spend their time and money. I only recommend attractions and experiences that I’ve personally visited with my family or thoroughly researched before recommending.
Any commissions help keep Vamo Roar running and support the creation of future family travel guides and reviews.
