Werribee Open Range Zoo — Attraction in Melbourne

Werribee Zoo is absolutely fantastic. There's so much space to let the animals roam, and so many different kinds of enrichment available for them.

Update July 2025: The new elephant walk area is amazing!! The design of the space is incredible, so well thought out, and the animals are obviously so happy there. The little elephants in particular in particular looked like they were having a blast, splashing into the pool, running to a patch of dirt and smothering themselves in it before running straight back into the pool, over and over. The older ones seemed so calm, happily eating grass right up at the fence in front of guests. Truly so lovely to see.

Every single staff member that we've interacted with at our numerous visits has been so obviously passionate, knowledgeable and kind to every animal - from the informative and engaging keeper talks to the way that they stop to say hi to the little willy wagtail birds that flit all over the zoo. And the people working at the ticket booths, cafes and in the zoo shop have always been lovely and helpful, too.

Being able to sit at the Meerkat Cafe and watch the meerkats on one side and the gorillas on the other (depending on crowds) while eating lunch or drinking a coffee is great. The food and drink prices are steep, but they're good quality and a decent size. I do recommend bringing your own food and drinks from home, though, to save some money and to avoid having to wait in lines.

The safari tour is an absolute highlight of every visit. You can see so many amazing animals, and a lot of the guides add hilarious puns and jokes to their informative spiels. Michael was the tour guide on our latest visit and had our whole bus cracking up (which is a particular feat, as one carriage was full of a group visiting from a retirement village and another carriage was full of children visiting from a kindergarten, on top of the usual mix of general public). My mum said he was "the best tour guide we've ever had."

There's plenty of little play spaces to keep kids engaged all over the zoo; there's multiple rope and 'obstacle' courses, little winding side paths through greenery that run alongside the main walking paths, 'ant hills' to climb over, sandpits and there's even a little water play pad section near the hippos. There's a model boat viewing platform at the hippos, too, and a model safari Jeep viewing platform at the lions, as well interactive cameras, speakers and so many little things to look at at the other enclosures and along the paths. There's also a little maze which explores how domestic cats are much safer when kept inside and not allowed to roam freely, which is a fun detour as well as having an important message.

Definitely go in the morning if you want to catch the keeper talks, and go on a weekday during school terms if you can. The walkways are spacious and there's plenty of places to get food and sit and eat during the peak times, but the windows and viewing platforms for the enclosures can get crowded during  weekends and school holidays. Not to the point where you won't be able to see anything though - if you can only go on a peak day, definitely still go! - you might just have to wait a bit to get to the front.

The elephant enclosure is due to open in a few months, and is going to be incredible. We'll absolutely be coming back to see it once it's finished and the elephants have moved to...

𝗔 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗗 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗭𝗢𝗢 - 𝗔 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧!

𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗭𝗢𝗢 is an absolute gem of a destination, offering a truly immersive and unforgettable wildlife experience just a short drive from Melbourne. Unlike traditional zoos, Werribee’s open-range concept allows visitors to witness animals in vast, naturalistic habitats that closely resemble their native environments. From the moment you step inside, you’re transported into an African savannah, teeming with life and adventure.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗜 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥 - 𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗!

One of the standout experiences is the Safari Bus Tour, which takes guests on an incredible journey through sprawling grasslands where 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝘀, 𝗿𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘀, 𝗭𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 roam freely. The knowledgeable guides provide fascinating insights into each species, their behaviors, and the zoo’s conservation efforts.

Seeing these majestic animals up close in such an open setting is awe-inspiring—it’s as close as you can get to an 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗜 without leaving Australia!

𝗨𝗣 - 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦

For those who want an even more intimate experience, Werribee offers 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 with some of its most iconic animals. Whether it’s feeding a giraffe, getting nose-to-nose with a rhino, or seeing the playful meerkats up close, these experiences make for unforgettable moments and incredible photo opportunities. The Lions on the Edge exhibit is another breathtaking experience, giving visitors the chance to observe these powerful predators through specially designed viewing areas that bring you closer than ever.

𝗔 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦

𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗭𝗢𝗢 is a fantastic destination for families. The spacious layout makes it easy to explore with kids, and there are plenty of interactive activities to keep them engaged. The 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗞𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘 allows young adventurers to role-play as veterinarians and wildlife rangers, adding an educational and fun element to the visit.

The zoo also offers pram-friendly paths, picnic areas, and a great café serving delicious food with stunning views.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬

What sets 𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗭𝗢𝗢 apart is its strong commitment to wildlife conservation. The zoo plays a crucial role in protecting endangered species and supporting global conservation programs. By visiting, you’re directly contributing to these efforts, making the experience even more meaningful.

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗧

𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗭𝗢𝗢 is a must-visit for animal lovers, families, and adventure seekers alike.

With its open-range concept, incredible animal encounters, and strong conservation message, it offers a unique and enriching experience that leaves a lasting impact. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this zoo is well worth a visit—it’s an escape into the wild, right in Victoria’s backyard!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 – Highly...

I was extremely disappointed with my recent visit to Werribee Open Range Zoo. While the safari bus itself was nice, almost all of the other exhibitions were closed due to strong winds. I completely understand that the animal's safety comes first, but it was extremely frustrating to drive nearly an hour, pay full price, and then find that the majority of the zoo was off limits.

This isn't the first time I've had this experience — a similar situation occurred around three years ago during extreme heat, when many of the exhibits were empty. It’s starting to feel like weather-related disruptions are a recurring issue at the zoo, which makes it difficult to plan a worthwhile visit.

What made it worse was the amount of walking required. You spend a lot of time trekking from one area to another, only to arrive and discover it’s closed or that no animals are on display. After all that effort, the experience feels more frustrating than enjoyable.

Other zoos handle these situations far better. For example: • Many will allow visitors to rebook or change their ticket dates if large sections are closed. • Some provide partial refunds, vouchers, or discounts for a future visit. • A few have indoor viewing areas or sheltered enclosures so you can still see animals even in bad weather. • Others design animal resting spaces with one-way glass or hidden retreats so the animals are comfortable but still visible to guests. • Some even provide special keeper talks, behind-the-scenes experiences, or alternative activities to make up for closed exhibits.

Werribee should be offering the same level of care for its paying visitors. At the very least, they should clearly communicate closures on their website or at the entrance before people commit their time and money.

Right now, it feels like paying full price for almost nothing and walking long distances just to be disappointed. Unless Werribee Open Range Zoo makes serious improvements in how it manages closures and compensates guests, I would not recommend this experience to anyone. Save your money and visit a zoo that values its visitors as much as it values...