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
General Hours
Timings: Melbourne Zoo is open every day between 9 AM to 5 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.
Book NowAnimal Encounters Timings
Seal
Timings: 12 PM, Friday to Monday
Price: $52
Duration: 15 minutes
Group size: 6 persons
Kangaroo
Timings: 11:15 AM, daily
Price: $31
Duration: 15 minutes
Group size: 10 persons
Elephant
Timings: 8 AM, Tuesday to Saturday
Price: $200
Duration: 35 minutes
Group size: 6 persons
Reptile
Timings: 10:30 AM, Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Price: $52
Duration: 45 minutes
Group size: 4 persons
Giraffe
Timings: 11:25 AM, daily
Price: $83
Duration: 25 minutes
Group size: 8 persons
Other Attraction Timings
Wildlife Tour
Enjoy early morning access on an exclusive wildlife tour before the zoo opens to the general public. Meet koalas, kangaroos, and other species in their natural habitats.
Timings: 7:55 AM, Tuesday to Thursday
Price: $47
Duration: 45 minutes
Group size: 10 persons
Overnight Camp
Explore Melbourne Zoo after dark in an exciting overnight camp with the staff. Listen to adventurous stories from your host and spend the night in a delightful tent out in the wild.
Timings: Thursday to Sunday
Price: $248 - $275
Duration: Overnight
Group size: 20 persons
What is the Best Time to Visit Melbourne Zoo?
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 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.
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. The city looks gorgeous during this time with the leaves changing color.
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.
Verdict: The best time to visit the Melbourne Zoo is during the summer months. This is a great time for outdoor attractions and animal encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Melbourne Zoo Opening Hours
A. The Melbourne Zoo opening hours are between 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo is open every day of the year.
A. Melbourne Zoo isn't closed on any day of the year. You can even visit the Zoo on Christmas Day.
A. We recommend spending between 4 to 5 hours at the Melbourne Zoo.
A. The best time to visit Melbourne Zoo is between May to August.
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.
A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo is open on all public holidays.
A. Although you can visit Melbourne Zoo on a public holiday, it tends to be more crowded than usual on these days.
A. The Melbourne Zoo opening hours are the same as the regular timings even on public holidays.
