Wild about Sydney

We’ve just spent a night at the Zoo with my brother Matt and sister-in-law Shelley. Surprisingly, for us jaded Sydney-siders, the sleepover was an unexpected delight. I’ve lived in Sydney for more than 35 years. As a result, there aren’t many tourist outings we haven’t tried.

Last November, Garry and I attended a Christmas Party in the N’Galawa Terrace, an event space at Taronga Zoo offering stunning harbour views. We learned that the complex includes an upmarket boutique hotel called The Wilderness Retreat and an acclaimed restaurant.

Guests attending the event were offered a 30 percent discount for a mid-week stay. On a whim, I decided to book a package for us and our kiwi guests. I’m so glad I did. Our package included a room with harbour views, meals at Me Gal restaurant (with the same stunning view), private guided tours of several Australian animal enclosures and two days of unlimited Zoo access.

We kicked off our two-day extravaganza with a superb lunch at the Boatshed on Balmoral Beach. It’s been more than 25 years since I last visited Balmoral for a business lunch at the much-acclaimed Bathers Pavilion. Lunch this time around wasn’t as lavish but was equally memorable. We secured an outdoor table looking directly out over the local marina dock. 

Before lunch, we made the most of the sunshine by walking the beachside promenade. Our stroll included Rocky Point Island, a small outcrop accessible via an old turn-of-the-last-century arched bridge. It’s easy to forget how blessed we are with so many Instagram-worthy beauty spots in Sydney.

It was then on to the Retreat. The reception and central lounge at check-in caught us all by surprise. This communal space offers floor-to-ceiling views across Sydney Harbour while enjoying a leisurely cocktail or two. We then joined a private tour of an Australian wildlife sanctuary that wraps around the complex, before venturing into the Zoo proper to see the koalas and other native animals doing their thing.

 

We finish the day with champagne and nibbles in the treetop suite that Garry and I booked, followed by dinner at Me Gal. As sunset approached, one of the hotel staff invited us to the top-floor event space for uninterrupted views of the harbour aglow in the crimson light. It was truly magnificent, as was the view of the city lights we enjoyed over dinner. 

The following morning, we rose early for a private tour of the Australian native bird aviary and nearby marsupial enclosures. Highlights included my first sighting of a Regent Honeyeater bird, rock wallabies bounding across the aviary’s rock face and a kangaroo joey suckling on its mother. The bird sighting was special in part because Garry’s parents have lived on a street called Regent Honeyeater Grove for the last five years.

We then enjoyed breakfast at Me Gal, which offered another stunning view of Sydney Harbour by day. The remainder of our time was spent exploring Taronga Zoo before venturing back across the harbour mid-afternoon. Matt and Shelley were also lucky enough to pull back their curtains that morning and be greeted by a koala quietly contemplating them in a tree outside.

Honestly, the zoo excursion exceeded all expectations. The views were iconic, and the atmosphere at The Retreat was relaxing to say the least. By the time we arrived home, it felt like we’d had a week away. Who knew such a memorable outing existed right on our doorstep?