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apollonaut. Built by People Who've Been

Journal / History

History, wildlife & place

A new zoo
for Western Sydney.

The story of Sydney Zoo, from its founding in 2015 to a zoo of more than 4,000 animals in the Western Sydney Parklands.

A pond lined with palm trees, with timber buildings and a Ferris wheel beyond, at Sydney Zoo
A pond and palm trees at Sydney Zoo in 2020.

Opened in 2019

Sydney Zoo was founded in 2015 and opened in December 2019 at Bungarribee, in the Western Sydney Parklands, about 38 km west of the centre of Sydney. It covers 16.5 hectares and is privately owned.

A tiger walking beside the water in its grassy habitat at Sydney Zoo
A male lion resting on a timber platform in the sun at Sydney Zoo

Africa, Asia, Australia and more

The zoo is laid out in precincts: Africa, Asia, Australia, Primate Boulevard and an Aquarium, with a Reptile and Nocturnal House that the zoo describes as Australia’s largest. It is home to more than 4,000 animals of over 150 species.

Darug Country

Sydney Zoo acknowledges the Warrawarry people of the Darug Nation as the traditional owners of the land. Its Bungarribee Dreaming experience presents First Nations culture, and the zoo is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia.

The aquarium building and a large outdoor pool at Sydney Zoo, with eucalypt woodland beyond

Continue exploring

Visitors looking into a large freshwater tank with fish and sunken logs in the Sydney Zoo aquariumA new zoo in the westFrom 2015 to today.The little penguin pool behind a wide viewing window, with a painted coastal backdropWhat to see at the zooPrecincts, aquarium and nocturnal house.Plan your visit

The Apollonaut collection

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The white-columned portico and stone façade of Graceland, with a white lion statue on each side of the front steps Bookable

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Verandahed shops along the unsealed Main Street of Sovereign Hill Bookable

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The Space Needle beside the towers of downtown Seattle, with Mount Rainier in the distance Bookable

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Seattle, USA · Palaces & landmarks

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Two elephants beside a pool in a leafy enclosure at Australia Zoo Bookable

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Sharks and fish swimming above coral in a large tank at Cairns Aquarium Bookable

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Cairns, Australia · Gardens & outdoors

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The moss-streaked towers of the castle at Paronella Park, rising above tropical plants Bookable

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Mena Creek, Australia · Gardens & outdoors

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The Lake Michigan shoreline and Lake Shore Drive in the evening, seen from the observation deck Bookable

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Chicago, USA · Palaces & landmarks

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Blue Skyfari gondolas gliding above the wooded canyons and red-roofed buildings of the zoo under a bright blue sky Bookable

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A giant panda sitting among green plants and eating bamboo at Adelaide Zoo Bookable

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The domed Zoo Center at the Bronx Zoo, with carved elephant heads beside its arched entrance, on a summer day Bookable

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New York, USA · Gardens & outdoors

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The bluestone gatehouse of Kryal Castle, its name above the arched entrance between two round towers, photographed in 1996 Bookable

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The steel walkway of the Tahune Airwalk curving out over the forest, with the Huon River and wooded hills below Bookable

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The Field Museum’s long columned front and steps, with Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline beyond Bookable

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A Tasmanian devil sitting on a flat rock in front of fallen logs and a rocky stream Bookable

Devils@Cradle

Cradle Mountain, Australia · Gardens & outdoors

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The Dreamworld globe and sign above the park entrance, with wide curved steps in front under a blue sky Bookable

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Gold Coast, Australia · Art & culture

From A$198

The wooden observation tower above the breeding marsh at Gatorland, with still water and green trees under a blue sky Bookable

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Orlando, USA · Gardens & outdoors

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Coloured tube slides at WhiteWater World winding above yellow shade sails and a pool, with a roller coaster loop behind Bookable

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The Memphis Zoo’s Egyptian-style entrance, painted with hieroglyphs and animal figures, under a blue sky Bookable

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Memphis, USA · Gardens & outdoors

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The Audubon Zoo entrance, with its green sign and painted animals above the gates, framed by tall palm trees Bookable

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New Orleans, USA · Gardens & outdoors

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Phoenix, USA · Gardens & outdoors

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The Houston Zoo main entrance, with its large sign above a covered gateway on a sunny day Bookable

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Houston, USA · Gardens & outdoors

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The London Eye beside County Hall on the South Bank, seen across the River Thames under a blue sky with clouds Bookable

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London, United Kingdom · Gardens & outdoors

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Windsor Castle

London, United Kingdom · Palaces & landmarks

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The long stone south front of Warwick Castle and its round corner tower, above the River Avon and a wide lawn Bookable

Warwick Castle

Warwick, United Kingdom · Palaces & landmarks

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London, United Kingdom · Palaces & landmarks

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Palm tree and palace walls reflected in the central pool at El Badi Palace Bookable

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Marrakech, Morocco · Palaces & landmarks

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The garden courtyard and mausoleum buildings at the Saadian Tombs Bookable

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Marrakech, Morocco · Palaces & landmarks

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The Grand Courtyard of Bahia Palace with its painted galleries Bookable

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Marrakech, Morocco · Palaces & landmarks

From €25

The Menara Pavilion and its palms reflected in the great basin Bookable

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Marrakech, Morocco · Gardens & outdoors

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A restored arched gate of the Roman camp at Tamuda, with Tétouan beyond Bookable

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