An Early Morning Walk Experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Note: The availability of animals may change due to circumstances beyond our control.

To make the most of your Taronga Western Plains Zoo experience, make sure you join our Volunteer Guides on an Early Morning Walk.

There is something unique about being in the zoo at an early hour. It's truly a magical experience to watch some of the animals wake and to listen to the early morning calls before the routine noises of the day intrude.

The Walk

Morning walks begin by meeting your Volunteer Guide at the Volunteer Centre. Shortly after, the group are looking out over the lake and watching the Spider Monkeys come awake amidst a tangle of furry arms and legs.

On a nearby island, the Black and White Ruffed Lemurs send a raucous greeting to each other. From viewing the lemur island, our group leaves the lakeside to enter the African section.

African Section

At this time of morning, the African Wild Dogs are usually sleeping near the trees. As they wake and start to roam their enclosure looking for food, their unique coats, long legs and large ears are visible.

From the Wild Dogs, visitors walk behind the scenes for a unique look at the Black Rhinos.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo has the largest Black Rhino breeding program in the world, starting in the 1990s with Kusomona the first born calf. Our Volunteers give interesting facts about this magnificent creature.

Visitors then see some more African animals in their night yards, such as the Barbary Sheep and camels. The Scimitar Horned Oryx, now extinct in the wild, are also sometimes visible in their night yards.

From here we move on to one of the major highlights of the Early Morning Walk, seeing the giraffes up close.

Visitors have the opportunity to stand up close to the tallest land animals in the world. An unforgettable experience.

Visitors then walk back onto the main exhibit area, stopping for a few moments to watch the Eland graze, with perfect photo opportunities on the way.

From the Eland, the group walks over to the hippos as they emerge slowly from the lake, enticed onto land to feed. If you are lucky, you might see them open their huge mouths or see how they use their tails mark their territory.

Asian Section

First in this section is the White Handed Gibbon. Jantan (the male) usually comes swinging through the trees and along the ropes to greet visitors.

Next stop in this section is the noisy Siamangs. Their booming song, strength and agility are always marveled at by visitors as they swing over the ropes or through the trees.

Children's Zoo

From the impressive Siamangs, visitors wander along one of the walking trails through the Australian bush, maybe taking a detour to see some other animals, then heading towards the Children's Zoo. In this part, the group has the chance to get up close with a wombat.

During this part, visitors get to meet one of the most charismatic animals of the zoo, the Meerkats. If the meerkats aren't watching keenly for predators on lookout duty, you will see them continually dig for food and scurry around their enclosure.

Walking back along the path to the Savannah area, your guide will point out the Ring-tailed Lemurs, who are in their trees or sunning themselves on the grassy bank.

Breakfast

At the end of your tour, you may like to wander over to the Kiosk or Cafe for breakfast.

After breakfast, don't forget to enjoy the rest of the zoo. Whether you are walking, riding a push bike or driving you will have gained an in-depth understanding of the animals at Taronga Western Plains Zoo through your early morning walk.

Tour Information

No bookings required - just turn up at the Zoo Entrance between 6.30am - 6.45am. Gates will re-open for normal admission at 9.00am.

Walk tours are conducted:

• Every Saturday and Sunday.
• Plus Every Wednesday and Friday during public school holidays for Eastern States.
• Plus NSW Public Holidays excluding Christmas Day.

No bikes, scooters, rollerblades or skates are permitted. No smoking is permitted. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Member Cost
$10 Adults, $5 Children. Entry Fee is covered by Membership (breakfast not included).

Non-Member Cost
$10 Adults, $5 children (plus normal entry fee, breakfast not included).

Payment
Credit Card facilities available, however no eftpos.

Contact Details
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Dubbo NSW 2830
Ph: +61 2 6882 5888
Fax: +61 2 6884 1722

Event Name

Event description.

Special conditions or additional notes.