Melbourne Zoo Opening Hours | Animal Encounters, Wildlife Tours, & Overnight Camp Timings

A prime attraction in Australia, Melbourne Zoo is a 22-hectare zoo, home to over 320 species of animals and more than 72,000 species of plants. Located at the heart of Melbourne, the zoo is open every day of the year. We’ve put together a quick guide to the Melbourne Zoo opening hours including timings, animal encounters, the best time to visit the zoo, and more!

Melbourne Zoo Opening Hours

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Timings: Melbourne Zoo is open every day between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

Last admission: 4:30 PM

Closed: Melbourne Zoo is open 365 days a year.

Duration of visit: It would take at least four to five hours to explore the entire zoo and its attractions.

Animal Encounters & Other Tour Timings

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Seal Encounters

Timings: 12:00 PM, Friday to Monday

Price: $52

Duration: 15 minutes

Group size: 6 persons

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Kangaroo Encounters

Timings: 11:15 AM, daily

Price: $31

Duration: 15 minutes

Group size: 10 persons

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Elephant Encounters

Timings: 8:00 AM, Tuesday to Saturday

Price: $200

Duration: 35 minutes

Group size: 6 persons

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Reptile Encounters

Timings: 10:30 AM, Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Price: $52

Duration: 45 minutes

Group size: 4 persons

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Giraffe Encounters

Timings: 11:25 AM, daily

Price: $83

Duration: 25 minutes

Group size: 8 persons

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Wildlife Tour

Timings: 7:55 AM, Tuesday to Thursday

Price: $47

Duration: 45 minutes

Group size: 10 persons

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Overnight Camp

Timings: Thursday to Sunday

Price: $248 - $275

Duration: Overnight

Group size: 20 persons

What is the Best Time to Visit Melbourne Zoo?

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Weekday vs Weekend

Expect large crowds during the weekends and public holidays. If you want to have a more peaceful visit at the Melbourne Zoo, we recommend visiting on a weekday.

The zoo opens at 9:00 AM every day, which is a good time to start your visit. There are generally fewer people during this time.

Additionally, many birds and animals are especially active during the morning hours, making it a great time to venture into each section of the zoo.

Melbourne Zoo opening hours

Peak Season vs Low Season

Summer (Dec - Feb): This is the peak tourist season in Melbourne. The weather is hot with warm sunny days and a ton of outdoor activities. Prices of hotels and air travel are higher during the summer months.

Winter (Jun - Aug): This is the low season. Temperatures are quite low, with cold and rainy days. There are fewer tourists in the city during this time and prices for hotels and airfare and lesser.

Autumn (Mar - May): Fall is the shoulder season in Melbourne. You will find lesser crowds during this time and lower prices for travel and stay.

Spring (Sep - Nov): The weather starts warming up during spring with longer days. Prices for hotels are airfare are lesser with fewer tourists in the city. Expect rainfall during this season.

Frequently Asked Questions About Melbourne Zoo Opening Hours

Q. What are the Melbourne Zoo opening hours?

A. The Melbourne Zoo opening hours are between 9 AM to 5 PM daily.

Q. Is the Melbourne Zoo open every day?

A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo is open every day of the year.

Q. When is the Melbourne Zoo closed?

A. Melbourne Zoo isn't closed on any day of the year. You can even visit the Zoo on Christmas Day. 

Q. How long should I spend at the Melbourne Zoo?

A. We recommend spending between 4 to 5 hours at the Melbourne Zoo.

Q. What is the best time to visit the Melbourne Zoo?

A. The best time to visit Melbourne Zoo is between May to August.

Q. What are the Melbourne Zoo opening hours for animal encounters?

A. Melbourne Zoo allows animal encounters on upgraded tickets. The timings of the activities vary but are mostly during the opening hours of the zoo. Only the wildlife tour and overnight camp take place before and after the operating hours of the zoo.

Q. Is Melbourne Zoo open on public holidays?

A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo is open on all public holidays.

Q. Should I visit Melbourne Zoo on a public holiday?

A. Although you can visit Melbourne Zoo on a public holiday, it tends to be more crowded than usual on these days.

Q. What are the Melbourne Zoo opening hours during public holidays?

A. The Melbourne Zoo opening hours are the same as the regular timings even on public holidays.