HYDRATION INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT FOR 1.5 MILLION VISITORS

Taronga Zoo Sydney is more than a day out. Located on the Sydney Harbour foreshore on Cammeraygal Country, Taronga is one of Australia’s leading conservation and tourism sites.

Each year, around 1.5 million people walk through the gates. Families, school groups, tourists, and event guests spend hours outdoors. They follow paths, stop for keeper talks, and explore habitats across the Zoo.

On warm Sydney days, staying hydrated matters. With that many people on site, drinking water is not a nice to have. It is essential.

THE CHALLENGE: HIGH VISITATION WITHOUT HIGH PLASTIC

At Taronga’s scale, even small habits multiply fast. When refill points feel hard to find or sit out of order, many visitors default to bottled water. That decision drives waste and adds pressure to cleaning and bins.

Taronga has already cut out more than 80 percent of single-use plastics. Easy refill access helps keep that progress going. Signs help. The right infrastructure does the heavy lifting when water is easy to find and simple to use.

THE STRATEGY: MAKE REFILL VISIBLE, CONVENIENT AND NORMAL

Taronga puts its sustainability message into action with smart, practical design. Drinking water stations are spread across the Zoo and shown on maps and in the app. Parents can spot a refill icon ahead and suggest a quick stop before the kids even ask. Visitors see water before they feel thirsty.

Taronga also sells reusable bottles and Calm and Stormy water in aluminium cans made from 70 percent recycled material. Aluminium can be recycled again and again. About 75 percent of all aluminium ever made is still in use.

This creates a clear loop for visitors:

• Buy a reusable bottle or canned water on arrival
• Explore the Zoo
• Refill at stations throughout the day

Taronga does not force change. It simply makes the better choice the easy one.

THE SOLUTION: DURABLE, HIGH-TRAFFIC HYDRATION INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE ZOO

With more than 1.5 million visitors each year, Taronga Zoo relies on the Aquafil Trail — a network of Aquafil drinking stations built for busy public spaces.

Key elements include:

• Coverage where people naturally move | Stations are placed near key pathways, gathering zones and activity hubs so refill points are always easy to find.
• Built for public use | Durable stainless steel construction means these stations perform year after year, even in high-traffic areas.
• Refill first behaviour | Bottle refill outlets make it easy for visitors to reuse the bottles they already have.
• Cleaner use during peak periods | Smart design details reduce splash, support drainage and help keep the area tidy, even on the busiest days.
• Inclusive access | The network is designed so children, older visitors and people using wheelchairs or mobility aids can use it independently.

This is not just about installing fountains. It is about building infrastructure that works every day and supports refill habits for everyone.

If you want to explore options for outdoor visitor sites, see our OUTDOOR REFILL STATION RANGE here.

THE IMPACT: WATER SAVINGS PLUS FEWER SINGLE-USE BOTTLES

Taronga reports water efficiencies that cut consumption by 4,000 litres per week, plus a further 21,000 litres per day during peak summer temperatures.

This matters at Taronga Zoo, where hot days and long walks mean visitors need water. A visible network of refill stations keeps everyone hydrated without relying on single-use bottles. It also builds a refill culture. Visitors can buy Calm and Stormy water in aluminium cans, then refill as they explore the Zoo.

Buy once, refill often. It becomes a simple habit.

Net result:

• Less pressure on bottled water demand
• Lower waste generation from disposable bottles
• Better visitor comfort on hot, high activity days

A MODEL FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC DESTINATIONS

Taronga Zoo shows how refill infrastructure supports more than hydration.

• It strengthens waste reduction efforts.
• It complements retail choices.
• It reinforces conservation messaging through action.

When drinking water stations are durable, accessible and placed where people naturally stop, refilling becomes part of the experience. Hydration points are not just background features. They shape behaviour and create small gathering moments across the site.

When designed well, they make a difference every day.

Taronga Zoo Sydney’s sustainability work is not just words on a page. Visitors see it and take part every time they refill a bottle as they explore.

Civic is proud to support that approach.

Our role goes beyond manufacturing. We help deliver hydration infrastructure built for heavy public use, designed for inclusive access and made to perform in real visitor environments like Taronga. Ready to map your venue’s first refill hub?

This is where smart hydration supports something bigger: less waste, easier refills and better visitor comfort.

With hundreds of councils, schools, parks and destinations choosing Civiq, Taronga Zoo Sydney shows how design, accessibility and purpose can work together to support healthier, more sustainable public spaces.

PLANNING UPGRADES ACROSS YOUR VISITOR DESTINATION?

If you want to expand refill access, replace old drinking fountains or support a stronger waste reduction plan, start with a site review.

Book a free Hydration Review with our team. We will map your current locations, identify priority zones, and recommend a refill network that suits busy visitor environments.