Melbourne Zoo — Attraction in Melbourne

Melbourne Zoo, located in Parkville just 4 kilometers north of Melbourne’s city center, is Australia’s oldest zoo, established in 1862. Spread across 55 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the zoo is home to over 5,000 animals representing around 250 species from across the globe. Its immersive habitats and commitment to education and conservation make it one of the country’s most celebrated wildlife attractions.

Animal Exhibits and Habitats

Melbourne Zoo offers a wide variety of themed zones that replicate the animals’ natural habitats, allowing for both exciting and educational experiences:

Lion Gorge: Get up close to big cats like lions, snow leopards, and Sumatran tigers in a habitat designed to reflect their natural environment.

Gorilla Rainforest: A lush, tropical area where visitors can observe Western lowland gorillas and other primates in a peaceful setting.

Trail of the Elephants: Though the Asian elephants were relocated to Werribee Open Range Zoo in 2024, this zone remains an iconic part of the zoo’s history and landscape.

Wild Sea: An impressive exhibit that showcases seals, penguins, and marine ecosystems, complete with underwater viewing tunnels.

Australian Bush: A celebration of native wildlife including kangaroos, emus, koalas, and wombats in a serene bushland setting.

Butterfly House: A magical tropical enclosure filled with vibrant butterflies fluttering freely among the greenery.

Reptile House: A collection of reptiles and amphibians, providing insights into cold-blooded life from Australia and beyond.

Each exhibit is carefully curated to provide naturalistic environments that promote animal welfare and enrich visitor learning.

Conservation and Education

Melbourne Zoo plays a pivotal role in conservation as part of the Zoos Victoria network. Its flagship “Fighting Extinction” program focuses on the survival of 27 endangered native species. In 2025, the zoo marked a major milestone by successfully releasing over 3,000 Baw Baw froglets back into the wild—a critical step toward the species’ recovery.

Additionally, the zoo is actively involved in global conservation efforts, working with international partners to protect species and ecosystems around the world.

Visitor Experience

Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Melbourne Zoo provides a host of memorable experiences:

Animal Encounters: Engage directly with animals like giraffes, meerkats, and seals in supervised and enriching experiences.

Keeper Talks: Daily sessions led by zookeepers where guests learn fascinating facts about the animals and the zoo’s mission.

Roar and Snore: A unique overnight experience where guests camp inside the zoo and enjoy after-dark tours and morning animal encounters.

Families will find the zoo especially welcoming, with picnic areas, child-friendly facilities, playgrounds, and food outlets scattered throughout the grounds. The zoo is well connected to public transport, making it easy to visit from the city.

Accessibility and Membership

Melbourne Zoo is fully accessible and inclusive, offering services and facilities to accommodate guests of all abilities. Zoos Victoria also provides membership options that include unlimited entry to Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, and Werribee Open Range Zoo, along with exclusive benefits and discounts.

Conclusion

Melbourne Zoo combines historical charm with modern conservation, offering an unforgettable wildlife experience in the heart of the city. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or solo, it's a destination that delights, educates, and inspires...

Melbourne Zoo consistently receives high praise from visitors for its engaging exhibits, commitment to animal welfare, and family-friendly atmosphere. Here's a summary of common themes in reviews: Overall Experience: Highly Recommended: Many visitors describe it as a fantastic day out for families, couples, and animal lovers. Well-Maintained: The zoo is generally noted for being clean, tidy, and well-kept. Accessible: Easily reachable from the city center via public transport (e.g., Tram #58). Educational: Informative talks by keepers and well-designed exhibits contribute to a learning experience for all ages. Relaxing: Despite being in the city, it offers a peaceful and tranquil environment with plenty of green spaces for picnics. Animal Exhibits and Enclosures: Thoughtfully Designed: Enclosures are designed to emulate natural habitats, giving animals space and the option to hide, while also providing good viewing opportunities for visitors. Diverse Collection: The zoo boasts a wide variety of animals from around the world, with a particular focus on native Australian fauna. Highlights often mentioned: Trail of the Elephants: Provides unique insights into these gentle giants. Wild Sea: Home to animals and plants from Victoria's coast and ocean, including penguins and seals. Lion Gorge: Allows for close-up views of lions through a glass panel. Butterfly House: A tropical, immersive experience. Orangutan Sanctuary: Elevated homes for critically endangered great apes. Australian Bush: Features iconic Australian animals like kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and emus. Snow Leopards, Meerkats, Giraffes, and other primates are also popular. Visitor Facilities and Services: Family-Friendly: Features include viewing glasses adjusted for children's heights, interactive and educational information, splash pads, and ample picnic areas. Food & Drink: Plenty of cafes and snack options available, though some may close earlier than expected. Clean Toilets and Phone Charging Stations: These amenities contribute to a comfortable visit. Parking: Available at a reasonable cost for several hours. Special Experiences: Animal Encounters: Many visitors highly recommend booking exclusive "animal experiences" for closer interactions, such as feeding giraffes, meeting koalas, or interacting with meerkats. Keeper Talks: Short, informational talks by keepers are a popular way to learn more about the animals and their conservation. "Roar 'n' Snore" Overnight Camp: A unique opportunity to experience the zoo after dark, including dinner, breakfast, exclusive tours, and a private tent. Considerations: Crowds: The zoo can get busy, especially on weekends and school holidays. Visiting on an overcast or slightly drizzly day might mean some animals are less visible. Size: It's a large zoo, and trying to see everything in one day can be tiring, especially for young children. Some recommend focusing on areas of most interest or considering a membership for shorter, more frequent visits. Animal Behavior: As with any zoo, there's no guarantee animals will be active or visible at all times. Some animals, like koalas, are often asleep during the day. In summary, Melbourne Zoo is widely considered a top attraction offering a rich and engaging experience for all ages, combining entertainment with a strong focus on animal welfare and...

Visiting Melbourne for the weekend we thought we would take the opportunity to visit the zoo. Heavy rain was predicted so we put off our visit until about 2pm. Unfortunately, we were still charged for a full day despite many exhibits and cafes deciding to close early or be low on food. Parking at $2 was reasonable and we were pleased that at least our fares were going towards animal conservation.

The park is not well set-up however for Melbourne's wet weather with no overhead protection at the ticket booth and you need to bring your own ponchos and umbrellas. We had looked at a map before we came so knew the elephants had been relocated although this would have been good to have more mention of what animals could be found at what zoos, especially as Microsoft Co-Pilot still thinks Melbourne Zoo has elephants.

Having seen lots of animals and informational plaques at our trip to SeaWorld I was surprised how lacking the park was in comparison. We thought the lack of visible animals may have been due to the weather but looking over reviews it would seem we are not alone in this observation.

I remember going to the zoo as a child and riding on the carousel with my Grandmother (now deceased) who suspected the carousel to have previously belonged to her father (a showie). I was looking forward to riding on it with her great grandchildren but it was not operating and no signage as to why.

We enjoyed seeing the lions and tigers though we did have to circle back to visit when they were at their more active. I was amazed to see a platypus and seahorses and the graceful giraffes were just beautiful. The seals didn't want to come up to say hello in the cold air but the viewing rooms below the surface of the water enabled us to see them at play. The penguins were cute however I was surprised to count only 4 given the numbers at SeaWorld. We had hoped to see some monkeys but the path seemed to be closed off with no explanation as to why. I thought there would be dedicated exhibits for insects and snakes (no that I wanted to enter) but couldn't work out where exactly these were supposed to be or if they were open to the public.

I would have liked some warning before entering the room where there was a reticulated python - its behind glass under water but there is also a fake one suspended above you. No good for people with snake phobias who are just trying to view the lions!

The cafe options were disappointing but I will comment on those seperately.

The nappy changing facilities were excellent though I would have appreciated a bit more room from the curtains when seated to feed my baby.

Overall despite the statues scattered throughout the park, it felt a little drab and tired with very little staff present or guest services. The gift shop is excellent.

The park was a little underwhelming but overall we made the most of it and...