Sydney Wildlife World

There used to be a jocular myth about being able to see kangaroos hopping down George Street, Sydney's main high street. The opening of Sydney's new zoo - Sydney Wildlife World - has come close into turning this poor old joke into a reality.

Sydney Wildlife World

Sydney Wildlife World adds to the cage (sorry, zones) vs natural environment dilemma. By placing Sydney’s latest Zoo in Darling Harbour, walking distance from George street and the CBD the wildlife really has come to town.

So should you go? Would you be missing out if you didn’t?
I guess it depends upon how much time do you have and how do you like your Koala, nicely packaged or el natural.

Breaking it down into positives and negatives

Why you should visit Sydney Wildlife World

• Convenience. Sydney Aquarium, Imax and Maritime Museum all close by.
• Convenience. Why go anywhere else.
• Convenience. Undercover and air-conditioned. Very civilised.
• Convenience. Tick them all off. Koala, Kangaroo and that funny spikey hedgehog thing!'
• And there’s convenience– more time for wine, song and what ever else makes you merry.

Or don't bother

• What's the bush like?
• There is much more to Sydney than Darling Harbour– assuming its not alight of course.

But don't listen to me this is what the tourist board thinks:

"It's great to see an investment in our tourism industry which provides a new Sydney experience for locals and visitors," Mr O'Neill said.

"Seeing wildlife is one of the top five activities for international visitors to NSW, and a new attraction like Sydney Wildlife World will complement Taronga Zoo and Featherdale Wildlife Park in providing visitors a wildlife experience."

I'm sure both Taronga and Featherdale are both thrilled.

Most of Australia's wildlife is nocturnal, or by nature very shy and retiring.

Step in the RSPCA:

NSW RSPCA chief executive officer Bernie Murphy said native animals could not live happy and healthy lives in the centre of a city like Sydney.

"Sydney Wildlife World is the wrong place to house animals with the constant night life, noise, human interaction and pollution that comes with inner-city living all posing hazards to their well being," he said.

"I would strongly advise Sydney Wildlife World to reconsider housing animals in the facility, and consider the animals' welfare carefully."

I'm worrying about my well being now stuff the Koalas.

Obviously aware of the criticism:

Sydney Aquarium

Sydney Aquarium chief executive officer James Fulford said Sydney Wildlife World would focus strongly on animal care and conservation while allowing the animals to be accessible to the public.

"Support for the protection of endangered Australian species requires that the Australian public is aware of this challenge. The most effective way of achieving this to make the flora and fauna more accessible to the people."

To combat noise pressures on the animals Sydney Wildlife World has designed sound- and light-controlled enclosures to house the animals in times of increased noise such as fireworks and festivals.

The NSW animal welfare unit and the Exhibited Animals Protection Act advisory committee have had rigorous input into the park's design and structure.

So what can you expect?

Sydney Wildlife World

Sydney Wildlife World has over 6,000 animals are crammed into it with 130 all Australian species.For PR purposes there is even some Top End (Northern Territory) 'dirt' save so you don't miss out by never, never going. Must have got a few laughs at the local when the truck arrived from Sydney for some 'dirt'.

Sydney Wildlife World is 7,000 square metres which is not small so to say crammed is alittle unfair. Sydney Wildlife World features almost one kilometre of closed walkways across two levels. The average visit time is around 1.5 hours.

The inmates of Sydney Wildlife World are organised into zones and feature different Australian wildlife aspects:

Zone 1 - Flutter Bys (Butterflies)

Here you will find a large butterfly house and a smaller butterfly laboratory. So if I come back as butterfly I'll certainly be pushing for extra large.

Zone 1A - Spineless Wonders

Insects and spiders. Nice.

Zone 2 - Scales and Tails. Snakes.

Australia's deadly poisonous snakes such as the fierce snake, the taipan, brown snake and the death adder are all safely out of harming anybodies way. Lizards have to take their chances with the snakes.

Zone 3 - Walking on Air.

How much time went into thinking these names up?

Walking on Air features an aviary that's around 17 metres long and 13 metres wide! Its a very large bird cage. Who gets the job of cleaning it each morning?

Zone 4 - After Dark.

How about, Deadly of Night?

The nocturnal house housing Potaroos, Betongs Bandicoots, ring tailed and striped possums and sugar gliders.

Zone 5 - Red Heart - the Semi-Arid Grasslands.

Sun Burnt Country(?)

This is the largest of all the exhibit zones. It's here that visitors will find Wallabies, swamp wallabies and wallaroo's. There is also a smaller echidna (Spikey HedgeHog thing) exhibit.

Zone 6 - Lush Canopy.

I'd go for 'Australian Rainforest' myself

A rainforest canopy with ferns and tropical flowers is densely vegetated and features the endangered Cassowary. The Cassowary is like an ostrich and is very rare and endangered. If you are very lucky you might see one in the far north of Australia. Lets hope there will be some attempt at a breeding program. You'll find a picture of one towards the foot of this page.

Zone 7 - High and Dry.

The Hills Are Alive(?)

The cliffs in this exhibit will be home to the yellow-footed rock wallaby, a unique wallaby that is mostly found in the rocky outcrops of the Flinders Ranges.

Zone 8 - Gum Tree Gully.

Koala Town(?)

Koala come last being the main reason most people paid their $27.

More unbiased comment from Sydney Wildlife World

Owners of Sydney's newest wildlife park say the animals have settled in well, despite its CBD location.

The general manager of the Sydney Wildlife World claims the animals are coping well with their new environments in the city centre.

Kevin Bush told 702 field reporter, Phil Ashley-Brown, that the animals' natural habitats have been re-created at Darling Harbour.

"Right down to the soils and trees. We have moved their habitats here and as you can see the cityscape is in the background and is very much a small part of the whole exhibit. The animals are very tame and very calm."

The owners of Sydney Aquarium set-up the new tourist attraction to offer a "different experience" to Taronga Zoo. Mr Bush deflected earlier criticism that another zoo in Sydney wasn't viable.

You get this unbelievable effect of the butterflies flying around
"I think we can complement each other and we've work closely over the last 20 years together and we'll continue to do so. We focus on Australian flora and fauna and they have different animals over there so I think there's perfect room for two (zoos) in Sydney.

Taronga Zoo

Interestingly Taronga Zoo appears to be building their own Aquarium - Great Southern Ocean - I think it's going to called. Is this just the market place at work? Which species will find themselves redundant(?).

Back to Sydney Wildlife World

Mr Bush says 9 different Australian eco-systems are on display from the Flinders rangers and semi-arid, to a North Queensland rainforest, which is home to hundreds of butterflies.

"The temperature is a lot warmer in here. It's kept at between 28 and 32 degrees to ensure the movement of the butterflies and you get this unbelievable effect now of the butterflies flying around here with background noise of the waterfall."

Where is Sydney Wildlife World?

Sydney Wildlife World is located in the heart of the city, next to Sydney Aquarium, between Cockle Bay and King Street Wharf. .

Sydney Wildlife World is open 9am to 10pm every day of the year, except for Christmas Day and New Year's Eve where Sydney Wildlife World closes at 6pm. Last ticket sale is an hour before close.

The opening and closing times of Sydney Wildlife World are subject to change, without prior notice. To avoid disappointment, it's a good idea to phone the general enquiries line on 9333 9288 prior to your visit.

When is Sydney Wildlife World open?

Sydney Wildlife World is open 9am – 10pm every day of the year (with last ticket sale at 9pm).Except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve where Sydney Wildlife World closes at 6pm (with last ticket sale at 5pm). Which is understandable, if tough on the staff, when you consider how much this must have cost to set up.

You should allow approximately one and half hours per visit. With nine different habitats and approximately 6,000 all-Australian animals

Wheel Chairs

Sydney Wildlife World is built to be fully wheel chair accessible and has hire facilities available however no room to leave prams nor can you hire them. If seems odd I suspect its more to do with NSW law and obtaining planning permission - but I could be wrong. There is a place to change babies but I'd stick with the one you have unless its really messy :)

Wheat Road (parallel to Sydney Aquarium) is good drop off point.

Parking is available if you can find a space for $12.00 per day from Secure Car Park - 320 Harris Street, Pyrmont
Kings Car Park - Allianz Building (entry via the 2nd driveway at 182 - 196 Sussex Street . PLEASE NOTE that the 1st Kings Car Park driveway does NOT offer this discount.

To claim your discount ensure that you get your parking ticket stamped at Sydney Wildlife World Admissions.

Update on Sydney Wildlife World

http://www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

Sydney Attractions Pass

Sydney Attractions Pass - Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower and the New Sydney Wildlife World

Cassowary On Holiday In Sydney

The pass includes entry to Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower (including OzTrek) and the not-to-be-missed, brand new Sydney Wildlife World.

Sydney Aquarium

Australia's number one attraction. Nowhere else in the world will you find a larger collection of Australian aquatic life, with over 11,500 animals, including the delightful platypus and the cuddly Fairy Penguins.

Walk beneath the ocean surrounded by an extensive collection of sharks and see the largest Great Barrier Reef display in the world!

Our brand NEW Seal Sanctuary offers you the chance to view one of the world's first known natural Sanctuaries! Visitors should allow approximately 2 hours to see all exhibits.

Sydney Tower + OzTrek

Sydney's best views are just the beginning! Sydney Tower takes you to the highest point above Sydney for breathtaking 360-degree views of our beautiful harbour city.

You'll be amazed by Sydney's best views! Plus your ticket to the top includes OzTrek, an amazing virtual adventure across Australia with 3D holograms, 180-degree cinema screens, surround sound and heart-stopping real-motion seating!

Sydney Wildlife World

This brand new attraction showcases Australia's unique and bizarre flora and fauna. Take a walk on the wild side and jump into Wallaby cliffs with the Yellow-footed rock wallabies, or meet one of Australia's national icons, the koala.

Marvel at Australia's bizarre creepy crawlies or see the scales and tails of our unique reptiles.

Allow yourself to be completely immersed within this world class exhibit, where animals will be living within their natural habitats and ecosystems, such as the spectacular two-storey aviary and butterfly house, the canopies of which can be seen from a distance outside the building. This place is simply spectacular!

Obtain Your Sydney Attraction Pass or for more Information