My tour guides at the Taronga Zoo now refer to me as "The Koala Whisperer." Koalas aren't like dogs; you can't call them over to you, but I found the secret! Read on...

During my private tour of the Zoo, which can be booked with the zoo directly or arranged by your hotel concierge, I got to see (and even touch) many animals and places that are usually off-limits to most zoo visitors. This made a typical day at the zoo much more fun, interesting, and educational.

Two tour guides provided our party of six with ample opportunities to get up close and personal with snakes, amphibians, koalas, birds, and kangaroos. While it's apparently against the law to hold koalas at New South Wales attractions, we got hands-on visits with many of the zoo's other residents. It was nice to have knowledgeable animal handlers to answer our questions, too.

Here's a tip for zoo visitors...take the bus to the TOP entrance of Taronga. That way, your zoo tour will be downhill all the way.

Oh, and you want to know the secret of Koala Whispering? I think the trick is drinking a lemon-lime-flavoured Lift soda; at least one koala seemed very attracted to my soda-breath! My guides said they'd never actually seen the sometimes ornery animals ever try to kiss someone before. It's an experience I'll never forget!

Taronga Zoo is built up the side of a very big hill. When you arrive by ferry on the Zoo Pass your ticket includes a ride to the top on a Sky Safari gondola system. Incredible views for sure. When I bought our tickets, the lady at the ticket window told me to follow the crocodiles to the zoo ferry. I didn't know that she was calling the lines of school children crocodiles! In any case, I soon caught on and did follow the children to the correct ferry. What a way to go to the zoo! Your fun starts immediately. We went over on a fast 'cat' ferry and returned on a regular type. A few minutes across the great Sydney Harbour, past the Opera House. More photography!

You zip up to the top of the zoo and begin walking gradually down. Accessible for people using wheel chairs. Heavily shaded by tall trees, you might feel the heat of summer, but you won't get sunburned. At this time, the zoo is making a major expansion. It will be world class when completed. Not that I missed anything although my first glimpse of a kangaroo was difficult as it was sleeping in tall grass. Great bird collection including penguins. Many native birds have also made their homes in the zoo. Walk-ins shall we say? Zoo food was pretty good. Plenty of serious walking!

You have got to see the giraffes. They have a million dollar view of the Opera House! I tried to get the famous photo of the giraffe lined up perfectly with the view, but they weren't having it my way. Koalas yes, but the condors were a surprise, a wonderful surprise. For adults, plan about four hours for the ferry, look around, and lunch. If you have children along, add one more hour as there are special places for them to tour including 'Backyard to Bush'. Look for a 2004 completion of the improvements.

The zoo is beautiful... and so easy to walk through. You start at the top of the hill and work your way down, then you can take the sky ferry back to the top of the zoo. When I first walked in there was a place where a couple of Emu's, Kangaroos and Wallabies were roaming about freely. You could stand so close to them and because they were used to people, they didn't run off. It was amazing to be that close to an animal. I would recommend going at feeding time (mid-morning) because all the animals come out and are in plain view.

It's worth going out to the zoo simply to have an excuse to take the ferry. And the ferry ride is excellent. As you set out the Opera House is on your right in all it's splendor. And to your left is the magnificent Harbor Bridge. If you look closely you can even see groups climbing along the top of the bridge. It may help you decide if you want to give it a try later.

As you get out a ways the skyline fills the sky and looks even more magnificent. Anywhere you look you'll get great views across the harbor.

Now the zoo itself is no slouch. It's located on a hilltop and offers excellent views back across the harbor to the city. The surrounding vegetation adds a lot to the idyllic setting as well. And then there's the animals, from all around the world. This is an excellent zoo. It doesn't have the space that say a San Diego Zoo, Toronto Metro, or Brookefield (Chicago), so don't expect it to be in that ballpark. But it's a very good zoo with a wide variety of animals both Australian and from other continents.

Nonetheless it was the Australian exhibits that I found most impressive. There's an excellent platypus exhibit, and we were lucky enough to see these animals active. You can actually walk around in the same enclosure as the kangaroos. And for an extra $2 you can get right next to a koala and get your picture taking with it.

There are in fact several presentations and photo oportunities. You should get a schedule of these when you enter. There are also several special tours of the zoo you can take. Some you need to sign up for in advance. For that kind of info check out the website right here.

The Treetops restaurant near the elephant exhibit proved to be a delightful place to have lunch. Very good quality food, perhaps better than you'd expect in a place like this. It's licensed as well.

A good way to explore the zoo is to take the skyrail up from where the ferry drops you. It will take you up to the top of the hill. From there you can wind your way down to the lower gate and you're only a short walk from the ferry.

All in all this will be a visit to the zoo that you won't forget, and I'd say almost a must do. It definitely is if you like zoos.

If most of your Australian trip is centered around the major cities, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter a kangaroo, koala, crocodile or platypus. So to get a sample of Australia’s unique fauna, I recommend a trip to Taronga Zoo, located on the north shore of Sydney Harbor. I’m a sucker for both zoos and boat rides, and I got to do both by buying a $A20 combination ferry/admission ticket at the Circular Quay on Sydney’s waterfront. (That’s pronounced "kee" for those of you not used to hanging around quays.) On the ferry ride, you’ll get great panoramic views of the skyline and those famous landmarks, the Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Upon arrival on the other side of the harbor, take the free bus to the entrance at the top of the hill. Working your way down, you’ll see favorites from Africa and Asia in addition to the native species. Be sure to get a photo of the giraffes with the harbor and Sydney skyline in the background. The reptile house displays a large selection of Australia’s many snake species. Of course, the highlight of the visit will be the koala encounter and kangaroo areas. Koalas move slowly and don’t do much when they do move. Still, who could resist their so-ugly-they’re-cute faces? The kangaroos, like most animals, are more likely to be active in the morning, so get there early if you want to see some hopping. You can even take a bit of Skippy home with you: roo skins are a popular souvenir sold in shops all across the country.