Updated plans for new $77m ‘Sky Safari’ cable cars at Taronga Zoo

Revised plans — after wide ranging public feedback — for a $77m refurb of the popular cable car at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo have been revealed, two years after it was shut down due to old age. See the new plans.

Updated plans for the long-awaited $77m refurbishment of the popular cable car ride at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo have been released.

The revised upgrade comes after a lengthy public consultation process last year, asking for feedback for the proposal to replace the “Sky Safari’ which closed down in 2023.

Dozens of submissions were received from government agencies, local community groups and residents, as well as Mosman Council.

The original proposal, which was designated as a State Significant Development, included using up to 25 new gondolas to take visitors between Taronga Zoo Wharf, on Sydney Harbour, and the main entrance on Bradleys Head Rd.

It revealed that the new cable car would be built along the route of the former attraction, which closed to visitors in 2023 after decades in operation.

An artist's impression of the revised plan for the new cable car station at the lower entrance to Taronga Park Zoo, near the wharf. Picture: Supplied.

The closure was prompted by the ageing state of the structure — it opened in 1987 and has carried about 20, passengers — which was deemed to be reaching the “end of its operational life”.

Plans showed the new 1.5km-long cable car system would transport passengers at up to 36m above the zoo enclosures. It would have six pylons, instead of the existing nine, as well as new purpose-built stations at zoo’s upper and lower entrances.

An artist's impression of the revised plan that allows improved queuing capacity at the new cable car stations at Taronga Park Zoo. Picture: Supplied

The new Sky Safari was designed to address capacity constraints that plagued the former cable car system, which was only able to fit six guests per gondola and could not accommodate wheelchairs that were more than 61cm wide.

Plans showed the new attraction would have about 25 larger cable cars – four more than the previous system – and hold up to 10 passengers per gondola.

The cable cars would also be accessible for prams and wheelchairs, while dedicated queuing areas have been designed to address crowd capacity at peak periods.

“The Sky Safari will provide unique, affordable, family-focused sightseeing tourism infrastructure that provides comfortable all-season experiences to support year-round growth in visitation to the zoo,” plans for the project stated.

An artist's impression of the revised plan for one of the new cable car stations that will have extended roof covering. Picture: Supplied

“This will assist in securing the financial future of the zoo to ensure that it can continue to undertake a range of conservation and education projects”.

Construction plans also included new landscaping, paths, seating areas and public amenities.

Mosman Council, which generally supports the redevelopment, , suggested changes to the original plans should included applying finishes and colours with “dark earthy” tones and low reflectivity on the pylons, stations and cable car exteriors.

The new plans feature a larger queuing area at the top station while the lower station’s entry and public plaza have been reconfigured.

The Sky Safari cable car had been popular with zoo visitors until it closed in 2023. Picture: Supplied

And the updated stations would now feature extended covered queuing areas, 50-100m long.

All new submissions will be assessed by the NSW Department of Planning.

The updated plans are on exhibition until June 10.

Originally published as Updated plans for new $77m ‘Sky Safari’ cable cars at Taronga Zoo