Sydney's Taronga Zoo Has Been Spectacularly Illuminated for This Year's Vivid Festival

Once again, the famed grounds of Taronga Zoo will come alive with lights and projections when Vivid Sydney kicks off this Friday, May 25. This year, as part of the after-dark light program that takes over various precincts across Sydney, Taronga's set-up will include 19 brand new captivating installations.

As the zoo continues its mission to raise awareness and support for endangered species in Australia and Sumatra, this year's Lights Of The Wild gives zoo visitors the opportunity wander the harbourside site after dark, encountering everything from multi-coloured elephants to schools of fish along the way.

This year's event incorporates 19 new installations and three revamped ones, including ten 3D transformations of drawings submitted by local school children.Here's a peek at some of the animalistic magic you can look forward to when you visit.

The light show begins from the moment you hit the zoo's entrance, stepping through the mouth of this two-storey-high Port Jackson shark.

You'll have the chance to snap a photo alongside three giant glowing gorillas for the Vivid Gorillagram installation.

See a nine-metre-long goanna emerge from the shadows, then move beneath a weedy sea dragon and cluster of sea turtles by the zoo's piazza.

And encounter enormous illuminated bees hanging out among the trees.

Multi-coloured crocodiles round out a cast of Aussie natives, along with red back spiders, platypus and echidnas.

Other highlights include an award winning animated projection in a 270-degree cinematic experience, by Taronga Centenary Theatre, and an initiative that allows visitors to support Taronga's wildlife conservation work by purchasing a glowing yellow Ties for the Wild ribbon.

Vivid Sydney will run from May 25 until June 16, and Taronga Zoo will be open every night of the festival. The experience is ticketed — you can buy tickets to the nightly 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm sessions here. 

Images: Steve Christo.