The Sky Safari has long been one of Taronga Zoo’s most treasured experiences, connecting Sydney Harbour to the Zoo’s hilltop grounds. After carrying more than 20 million visitors since 1987, the ageing system was retired in 2023. NewScape Design was engaged to reimagine the landscape setting for the new 916-metre cable car journey, embedding the infrastructure seamlessly into Country while enhancing the arrival experience for visitors. Our design accompanies a State Significant Development Application, balancing practical upgrades with ecological responsibility and visitor delight.
Guided by the endemic Sydney Coastal Sandstone vegetation community and stories from Indigenous knowledge holders, our planting palette provides natural shade, seasonal storytelling, and habitat for local fauna. Reused sandstone from site excavations is reimagined as bespoke seating and interpretive walls, anchoring the project in its unique geology. A robust tree management strategy ensures significant trees are protected and offset by a 2:1 replacement ratio, reinforcing the Zoo’s urban canopy. More than a mode of transport, the Sky Safari is redefined as a journey through Country — where conservation, culture, and immersive design come together to create a world-class gateway to Taronga Zoo.
An immersive cable car journey grounded in Country, connecting people, place and conservation at Taronga Zoo.
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We’re proud to share our work on the redevelopment of Taronga Zoo’s Sky Safari — one of Sydney’s most loved experiences. 🌿
Our design embeds the new 916m cable car seamlessly into the bushland, with endemic planting, reused sandstone seating, and a tree management strategy that protects and restores canopy. The Sky Safari is more than transport — it’s an immersive journey through Country, celebrating conservation, culture, and connection to place. ✨
#NewScapeDesign #TarongaZoo #SkySafari #NatureBasedDesign #ConservationThroughDesign
