Taronga - the "Zoo with a View"!

Wednesday 24th October 2012

All the resolutions about not overdoing the hotel buffet breakfast went out the window, and we again ate like kings! We still had a few hours on our open-top bus day pass (lasts 24 hrs) so decided to use the pass to get back to the waterfront, where the plan was to take a ferry across the harbour to the Taronga Zoo.

The morning dawned fine with a promise of hot, so after yesterday's sunburn we crossed to the local chemist and Rose bought some sunscreen. Then we walked up to the bus stop in Kings Cross and stopped by a nickle and dime type of store where Rosemary bought a sunhat. As we completed the purchase, our sightseeing bus came and went so it was another 30 minutes of people-watching on the 'Cross, the same mix of interesting folk! I reckon they probably thought the same of us!

We got off the bus at the Sydney Opera House, where the theme continued, and Rose bought some new sunglasses. 

Walked the few minutes to Circular Quay where we picked up our tickets for the ferry and zoo. It's only a 12 minute ferry ride over to the zoo, and we sat out on the bow. What a view! What a day!

Walking around to Circular Quay and the ferry terminal

One of two cruise ships in port

Our luxury (LOL) ferry

Tourists

Beautiful views in every direction

Arriving at Taronga, note the gondola up the hill

Taronga Zoo, is the "zoo with a view", and on leaving the ferry we took the safari view cable car above the zoo to the main entrance at the top of the hill. The zoo is designed on the side of the hill, down to the water, so it was not too strenuous getting round most of the exhibits. We also took in two presentations – the seal show, and a free flight bird show. Both were excellent. We had lunch half way through – the usual exorbitantly priced offering – but it didn't detract from the day!

OK, I'll let the pictures do the talking – here are a selection of the many we took at the zoo:

We rode over many of the exhibits

And from the main entrance, got ready to meander down the hill through the zoo (did I mention "zoo with a view"?)

Reptiles first - Komodo lizard - big fella

Even an Arizona Diamondback

Green anaconda

A few different crocs and 'gators

actually a sheep!  Barbary sheep

Most big cats were hiding in the shade somewhere, but these guys were sunbathing!

Bear

Family of gorillas were entertaining

Male elephant, kept well away from the family

The old elephant temple

Really enjoyed the seal show

Harem and calf 

Stage for the bird show - all sorts of birds trained to perform 

One of several types of owl which demonstrated its hunting eye and technique

Spoonbills in with the Japanese carp

More nice views

R$ather a nice charter boat

And then came our return ride!

The Manly Ferry heading out

When we returned to Circular Quay we walked back to the hotel, and now being familiar with the layout of the Botanic Gardens, and the directions and features to aim for, we found ourselves back at the hotel in about 45 minutes.

Dinner again with the Greeks, who recognised us as new regulars, and piled our plates to excess!