Life on the wild side

When it came to Sydney's residents voting for their all-time favourite city attraction, they had a host to choose from - the Opera House and Bondi beach to name but a few - but the ultimate accolade went instead to Taronga Zoo, proving that Sydneysiders like a bit of a  wild time...

The Sydney Chamber of Commerce's annual favourite things survey found that 24 per cent of Sydneysiders ranked Taronga Zoo as their top attraction.

Taronga Zoo is the nation's leading zoological garden, featuring Australia's finest collection of native animals and a diverse collection of exotic species. What makes Taronga something special is its location.

It is situated on elevated land along the waterfront, in one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour overlooking Sydney Cove, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Unsurprisingly, the striking Sydney Opera House came second in the ‘favourite things' survey, with 22 per cent of votes, followed by the Sydney Harbour Bridge/ Bridge Climb on 18 per cent.

The Royal National Park secured 12 per cent of votes, ahead of Bondi Beach on eight per cent.

The top ranked zoo was also proof of the publicity that comes alongside appearing on a reality show - it was featured in a behind-the-scenes documentary on the Seven Network called The Zoo.

Meanwhile Circular Quay and The Rocks came up trumps as a favourite part of the city with 49 per cent of votes.

Palm Beach and Manly are joint holders of Sydney's favourite beach title, sharing 17 per cent of the vote. Bondi got 15 per cent.

Sydney Chamber Executive Director Patricia Forsythe said, "The results show that Sydney's heart and soul continues to be based around the harbour with the zoo, harbour bridge, opera house, Circular Quay and The Rocks continuing to dominate the survey," she said.

Picture by Cyron