Taronga Zoo

There's nothing better than laughing it up with the monkeys, straining your neck to see the giraffes and getting up-close and personal with our reptile friends - all on offer at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. A casual sojourn around the Zoo is pretty impressive, but there are a few must-do zoo experiences, some not for those a little scared of the dark.

Take the VIP Aussie Gold Tour which is full of personalised touches and up-close encounters with the animals, or for another premium experience try Zoosnooz, which gives school children the chance to sleep out under the stars surrounded by native wildlife. The package includes a BBQ dinner and supper, a night walk where you'll see the chimpanzees and other animals being fed, as well as insider stories you won't hear on any old visit of the zoo.

For early birds, the Zoorise tour is particularly rewarding for adults - offering views of the sun creeping up across the ocean in the morning and a cacophony of native bird songs. Both make for an invigorating morning (an all-day zoo pass is included).

A hot ticket item is the swanky new elephant enclosure, which houses a family of rare Asian elephants, including the first Asian elephant calves born in Australia. Their digs feature a swimming pool deep enough for the elephants to be fully submerged, mud wallows, a waterfall and 2.3 kilometres of walking paths for them to wander straight past the gorillas, penguins and the Kodiak bears. The exhibition is part of a larger new space, Wild Asia: a themed precinct with learning centre to represent a tropical Asian rainforest and to help people understand the habitat.

The free flight bird show, with a variety of flying birds such as pigeons, parrots, hawks and owls, happens at 12pm and 3pm in the beautiful amphitheatre that perches on the edge of a cliff - a perfect spot to take in the impressive view of the city.

Only in Sydney would the animals get one of the best views. Not that it was always the case - Taronga Zoo was originally based on a site known as Billy Goat Swamp in Moore Park, before moving to its current site in 1916 for the extra space.

Adult $37; Child $18; VIP Aussie Gold Tour, Adult $77; Child $41. Zoosnooz Tour, Adult $60; Child $55.

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In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lions sleeps tonight. And you can sleep right next to him. Spend a night amongst the animals, with a harbour view. Enjoy luxury beds, a roast dinner, drinks and close encounters with Taronga's famous residents. Every Friday (overnight) $240 per adult, $185 per child (5-17 years). (02 9969 2777).