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Sydney: sleep over at Taronga Zoo

I want to this next time I visit Sydney: stay over night in a luxury tent at Taronga Zoo!

Taronga zoo roar and snore

The view of Sydney from your glamp-site

The Roar and Snore (for that is what they call it) is something I’ve wanted to do for ages – and I don’t even have kids. I know I won’t sleep well, although with the newly refurbished “camp site” now consisting of luxury safari tents with wooden floor boards and a comfy double or single beds (they can sleep up to four), power outlets, there’s really no excuse. It’s glamping. But from what people say, lions do roar at night.

And the view back across Sydney harbour to the city is gorgeous when the sun goes down and when the lights come up, gorgeous becomes magic.

Giraffe at Taronga Zoo

How about this for an urban zoo pic?! Flickr/thomasrdotorg

You start with drinks and nibbles, then tour the zoo after hours – with a torch – to spy on the animals when they don’t know you’re there. Here’s a tip: take night goggles for a really good perv.

Everyone gets together for a buffet dinner with stunning views that make the price worthwhile (this is according to Amy on TripAdvisor whose daughter insisted they do this and she was glad she did!) before heading out again then retiring to your boudoir and hoping to at least hear a lion roar. Or Katy Perry.

The whole Roar and Snore experience includes about 5 hours with a guide behind the scenes and in front of the scenes on the first day, then another 3 or so hours next morning before the park opens to the public.

Taronga Zoo tent

Looking out of your tent. Pic Taronga Zoo

Details: Arrive at 6.15pm for drinks and nibbles. Price includes dinner and breakfast. You have an early start next day too – 6am! Roar and Snore runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and nightly during NSW school holidays.

Cost: A$320 per adult, $205 per child (aged 5-17) Friday – Sunday and Public Hols or $288 and $184.50 Monday – Thursday

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Hi, I'm Megan Singleton and I'm the word slinger of this travel blog as well as on radio in NZ every Sunday. Former Travel Editor at Yahoo NZ and current freelance writer for a few newspapers and mags from time to time, I set off on this travel writing journey 20 years ago and I've pretty much always got a suitcase half packed (or half un-packed!) I'd love you to join me on Facebook or Twitter and sign up for my newsletters if you want loads of travel tips, advice and deals!