Taronga Zoo set to close its Sky Safari attraction after 35 years

After 35 years of operations, Taronga Zoo is to close its Sky Safari at the end of this month, citing the cable-car attraction as having “reached the end of its workable life”.

The popular attraction, which conveys guests from the base of the attraction on Sydney Harbour - a three minute walk from the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf - to the Zoo’s main entry, has transported more than 20 million passengers over its lifetime but, as advised in a statement from the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, is now “an ageing asset (that) has reached the end of its workable life with Taronga”.

First installed to its iconic position in 1987 and then upgraded in 2000, plans are underway for a revitalised Sky Safari experience that will feature additional larger and accessible gondolas, extend along an expanded route, and provide greater access to the Zoo for guests of all ages and abilities.

While the Sky Safari is in retirement, guests at the Lower Entrance on Bradleys Head Road will generally have or catch a public bus from the Ferry Terminal to the Top Main Entrance.

However, in holiday and peak periods, additional buses to assist with moving guests to the Top Entrance.

Development of the new Sky Safari, likely to open in 2023, will be enabled by a major investment from the NSW Government.

Images courtesy of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia.