Day 14 Taronga Zoo New Years Party Sydney

A paradise for shoppers, pedestrianised Pitt Street Mall stretches over 2 full blocks in the Sydney Central Business District. Along with the nearby Queen Victoria Building, this car-free thoroughfare is the go-to place for shopping in Sydney. Explore the multitude of shops for well-known international brands, Australian beachwear and affordable fashion. You’ll find major department stores such as David Jones and Myer rubbing shoulders with surf shops and designer boutiques. The mall is also home to several shopping centres and arcades, including Westfield Sydney and The Strand Arcade. Musicians often busk outdoors on Pitt Street, providing a lively soundtrack for your Sydney shopping experience.

The Strand Arcade is Sydney's epicentre of style and design. Named after London's smartest shopping street in the mid nineteenth century, the Strand Arcade houses many of Australia's best designer labels, jewellers, places to eat, coffee shops, unique gift shops and beauty salons. Opening in 1892, the Strand Arcade was the last of the arcades built in Victorian Sydney, and it is the only one remaining today in its original form.

The Strand Arcade remains a majestic beauty in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Sydney's central business district. Many retailers including The Nut Shop, Elie's leather Repair, John Azzi Hair and Strand Hatters have traded for decades, becoming well known Sydney institutions. Today the centre is a unique mix of Australian designer fashion and specialty stores catering for a discerning, sophisticated clientele.

Sydney’s premier shopping destination, the historic Queen Victoria Building. Built in the late 1890s, the QVB, as it’s known locally, features a stunning Victorian Romanesque façade, ornate stained-glass windows and grand atrium-style shopping levels inside. Covering a whole block in the city centre, the Queen Victoria Building has everything a keen shopper could want: fashion boutiques, high-end designer labels and jewellery stores, plus plenty of cosy cafés and patisseries. For a special holiday treat, choose from one of several elegant QVB tea rooms and indulge in a classic English-style high tea in Sydney.

6pm

Pre-show entertainment Prepare to be thrilled as our flying ace masterminds an aerial display just for NYE. At 6.50pm, a tug boat takes centre stage in Sydney Harbour with a stunning water display followed by an encore aerial performance at 8pm.

White smoke trails 2 single propeller aircraft in formation.

7.30pm Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony Gadigal Elders welcome visitors to Gadigal land, inviting all to this age-old ritual of purification and unity to start our program.

9pm

Family fireworks The first fireworks allow our littlest spectators, who may nod off a little earlier, the chance to see a fantastic display. The display includes fireworks released from barges and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Includes the winning entry from the ABC’s Design Your Own Firework competition. Tune in to the synchronised simulcast on KIIS 1065.

A mother and child watch the fireworks in awe among other spectators.

9.08pm

Harbour of Light Parade Sydney Harbour is illuminated with ships gliding across the water, enchanting spectators of all ages. Each vessel is decorated with colour changing light, dazzling the crowds and adding to the unique choreography as they dance in the harbour.

Search lights point into the night sky with illuminated sailing ships and boats on the harbour in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Midnight Fireworks display At the stroke of midnight, we celebrate the start of the new year in spectacular fashion. The display features a huge range of pyrotechnic effects launched from firing points on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and barges in the harbour.

Taronga Zoo Tours

Easily the wildest place in Sydney, the Taronga Zoo is a sprawling sanctuary where over 4,000 animals crawl and chirp just minutes from the heart of downtown. Situated on Sydney Harbour a short ferry ride from Circular Quay, the sprawling sanctuary ranks as a top Sydney destination, with a range of tours, keeper talks, animal shows, and activities suitable for kids and adults. Visitors can see the fuzzy face of a native koala as it first wakes up from a nap, or stand a few feet from playful lemurs as they swing and play in the treetops. There are also opportunities to spot exotic species such as Malaysian sun bears, giraffes, and African lions, or marvel at a fearsome saltwater crocodile as it cruises through shallow waters.

The Basics: The Taronga Zoo’s animals reside in 10 themed zones, each designed to resemble a natural habitat. Ticket options range from general entry tickets to admission with add-ons and upgrades such as supervised hand-feedings, behind-the-scenes experiences, and educational visits with Aboriginal guides to hear about the area’s indigenous connections to nature. There's even the chance to sleep at the zoo inside a classic safari tent, where visitors fall asleep to the sounds of the savanna but wake to views of the harbor. All tickets include a ride on the Sky Safari cable car, which glides above the zoo and provides an aerial view of the animals and Sydney Harbour. Those looking for convenience can book a tour that includes a Taronga Zoo visit, a Sydney Harbour cruise, and roundtrip transport from their hotel.

Things to Know Before You Go Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking through the extensive grounds. The zoo is large and exhibits are spread out, so you might like to jump on the miniature train to get around. All shows and presentations, food outlets, and shops are wheelchair accessible, as well as most exhibits and pathways, although some connecting paths are steep. Multi-attraction tickets offer admission discounts to top destinations such as the Taronga Zoo, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Tower Eye.

How to Get There Taronga Zoo is on Little Sirius Cove, a couple of inlets east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The zoo is an easy and scenic 12-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, from where ferries depart every 30 minutes. Ferries also depart daily from Darling Harbour and Manly. Upon arrival at the Taronga Wharf, either ride the Sky Safari cable car to the zoo entrance on top of the hill or take the zoo's shuttle bus from the ferry dock to the entrance gates. Public buses and trains also connect to the zoo, and paid parking is available.

When to Get There The zoo is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Keeper talks take place throughout the day and are included with admission. Special events occur throughout the year, such as a summer evening concert series and a colorful light art exhibit during the city’s annual Vivid Sydney festival around May and June.

Views from the Zoo Taronga is an aboriginal phrase that means “beautiful view.” Indeed, the zoo boasts sweeping views of Sydney Harbor and landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Snap a photo of giraffes with Sydney’s skyscrapers in the background, or soak in the scenery while relaxing at one of the picnic areas overlooking the harbor. Address: Bradleys Head Road, Sydney, New South Wales 2088, Australia Hours: Daily 9:30am–4:30pm (May-Aug), 9:30am-5:00pm (Sept-Apr), 9:30am-4:00pm (New Years Eve)