The Tiger Exhibit at Taronga – The Tiger Trek
The Sumatran Tiger Exhibit at Taronga is world class. We visited last week and we’re just blown away. It’s far better than you can imagine given what Taronga’s other exhibits are like.
Both mom and kids were completely taken aback. Completely.
This post covers everything about the exhibit and what to expect, for a full Taronga post I’ve put links in below. This is just about the incredible Cats in the Tiger Exhibit at Taronga.
Where is the Tiger Exhibit at Taronga
The Tiger Exhibit is where the previous Cats exhibit was but we weren’t in Sydney at that time so that was of no help to us.
If you know the zoo then you head off:
– Once you show your tickets at the bottom of the steps and actually enter the zoo go right and head past the koala sanctuary and the corroboree frogs. How cute are those things.
– Head down the hills past the giraffes to the elephants. Check out the new baby, it is also too cute.
– At the elephants turn right and go past the big food hall in the direction of the bird show.
If you don’t know the zoo:
Grab a map at information and then head off to the entrance and when they ask you where you’re from and take your ticket ask them to point you in the direction and show you on the map.
Once you are past the Food Court you will see signs for the Tiger Trek.
What is in the Tiger Exhibit at Taronga
1. The plane
You start the experience on a plane. An airplane / aeroplane. It’s a simulated flight to from Australia, over the rainforests to see the Tigers.
There are no actual seats and you are called upon to stand on the yellow footprints.
Remember to ask the air-hostess for a Tiger Hat
Through the windows are screens simulating the flights. There is also a screen in the front with the pilot talking you through the flight.
2. The Village
Your flight takes you to a little Village. You have to walk through this village to get to the sanctuary where the Tigers live.
This little Village is so beautifully set up that you feel like you are somewhere other than Australia.
We went to the Zoo just for this, granted we have an annual pass and just dropped in for a quick visit but even driving there for 35 minutes one way in bad traffic was completely worth it!
3. The Tiger Sanctuary
Once you’ve made your way through the Village you wind round into the Tiger Sanctuary. There are a few areas to walk through and experience, each with massive glass windows so you can see every single hair and movement of these beasts.
One of the areas has a big glass window with a truck through it. The kids can actually get in the truck and feel as though they are in the forest.
When we visited one of the big cats climbed up onto the front of the truck. Right in front of our eyes.
One of the other areas, next to a big glass window is a wooden seat and behind the seat is wire mesh. You can sit, or stand there and listen to the Cats roaring. When we visited she was right there and when she growled I got such a fright I dropped my phone.
The sanctuary is home to three magnificent cats. They are absolutely majestic.
4. The responsible part
Once you’ve been through the exhibit you enter a mock shopping centre. In the centre you can send an email to your favourite brands asking that they stop using Palm Oil which has led to the destruction of the forests whereby severely curtailing the numbers of Sumatran Tigers.
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More about Taronga
If you haven’t visited Taronga yet, this is just another reason to do so. It’s a magic place with a focus on conservation, rehabilitation and saving the wild. If you are thinking about visiting check out our full post on Taronga and if you’re doing it with kids then you have to also read Taronga.
