The Perfect Guide to Visit Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo is a prime attraction in the city of Melbourne. The zoo, spread over 22 hectares, is home to about 320 species of animals and over 72,000 plant species. Visitors can get a look at lions, elephants, gorillas, and other animals found exclusively in the Australian Bush. Read on to plan your visit to Melbourne Zoo.
Melbourne Zoo Opening Hours
Best Time to Visit | Melbourne Zoo
Weekday vs Weekend: Visit on a weekday to avoid the tourist rush and start as early as possible as it would take around five hours to explore the entire Melbourne Zoo.
Peak Season vs Low Season: The best time to visit Melbourne Zoo is in autumn, between March and May, or in spring, between September and November. The average temperature in the autumn months is around 20 degrees Celsius, with sunny days and cold nights. Spring is pleasant in Melbourne but rainy and the average temperature in the season is around 24 degrees. The peak tourist season in Melbourne is in summer, from December to March. Winter falls between June and August and the average temperatures could reach 15 degrees Celsius.
Know MoreWhere is Melbourne Zoo?
Melbourne Zoo is in the heart of the city. The zoo is just a few minutes away from the Royal Park and under a 20-minute drive from the Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine.
Address: Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia | Find on maps
Closest Landmark: Royal Park Melbourne
How to Get to Melbourne Zoo?
By Public Transport
By Tram: Travel on route 58 between West Coburg and Toorak. Trams are available every 6 minutes. Alight at Stop 26 directly outside Melbourne Zoo.
By Train: Trains run from Flinders Street Station. Once you’re on the train, alight at the Royal Park Station. The railway station is just across the road from the Melbourne Zoo gate.
By Bus: Travel on route 505 from Moonee Ponds to Melbourne University. Alight at Melbourne Zoo stop.
By Car
Melbourne Zoo is only minutes away from the Royal Park. The Melbourne City Council runs the parking lot inside the zoo.
Parking will cost you $2 for five hours - the duration of your ticket.
Reserved parking is available for persons with reduced mobility upon display of a valid ID.
Know Before You Go
- Café: Visit cafes or kiosks at the Melbourne Zoo for a hearty meal or takeaway.
- Changing: Changing facilities with full-sized change tables are available. Ask for the Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) at the reception to avail of this service.
- Lockers for hire: Visitors can hire small, medium, and large locker storage using their credit cards. Once you get to the locker, scan the code to hire it. Charges vary between $5 to $10.
- Accessible parking slots are available near the main entrance and rail gate entrance.
- Accessible pathways have been laid out throughout the facility for wheelchair users.
- Wheelchairs are available for hire using photo identification.
- Accessible toilets are present within the zoo.
- Guide animals with certification ID are allowed inside the zoo.
- Children under the age of 16 can visit for free with accompanying adults on weekends, Victorian public holidays, and Government school holidays.
- Choose from the special menu for kids at the Giraffe Lookout Cafe and Elephant Kiosk.
- Baby changing facilities are available within the premises.
- Picnics are allowed but visitors cannot bring sharp objects, including knives. Also, visitors are encouraged to minimize bringing glassware.
- Wear appropriate attire at all times.
- Visitors must not bring in animals other than certified assistance dogs.
- Visitors are not allowed to take photographs for commercial purposes. Flash photography is prohibited.
- Face masks are required to enter Lemur Island and the Animal Encounter experience.
- Melbourne Zoo does not accept cash payments. Visitors need credit or debit cards for purchases.
Melbourne Zoo has a few restaurants that operate during the opening hours of the zoo. Stop and grab a bite on your visit.
- Lakeside Cafe: Enjoy an open-air dine-in experience with sweet and savory dishes on the menu.
- Giraffe Lookout Café: An ideal option to try gourmet burgers, kids hot dogs, and salads.
- Elephant Kiosk: Try this exquisite Asian street food-inspired menu. Your kids will love chilled desserts and ice coffees.
- Wild Dogs: Head into this coffee place to enjoy barista-made coffee, basked food, hot chips, and sandwiches. The restaurant is open during public holidays as well.
What's Inside Melbourne Zoo?
Lion Gorge
A carnivores trail allows you to come face to face with the majestic African lions. Get a close look at endangered species such as the snow leopard and the Philippine crocodiles. The trip also offers a glimpse into agile hunters like African wild dogs and Tasmanian devils.
Trail of the Elephants
This award-winning trail offers a chance to explore the natural habitat of the endangered Asian elephant. Take a free guided tour to learn about other rare animals like Asian small-clawed otters, extinction-threatened Sumatran tigers, orangutans, and siamang.
Main Trail
The Main Trail is an opportunity to look at frogs, reptiles, mammals, and birds. Check out the conservation work that takes place at the World of Frogs. Come face to face with giraffes, meerkats, zebras, platypus’, and the Malayan tapir.
Wild Sea
You can take a look at some amazing animals and the beauty of Victoria's coast on this trail. Learn about the conservation efforts to protect Fiordland penguins. You can also discover marine animals like the Australian fur seal, little penguin, fish, and seahorse.
Gorilla Rainforest
Walk into an African jungle ruled by lemurs, western lowland gorillas, the pygmy hippopotamus, the Cassowary bird, and the Black-handed spider monkey. Listen to the gorillas keeper talk every day at 10:45 AM for an insight about the lives of these precious animals.
Australian Bush
If you are a foreign tourist, you can't miss this trail. Meet the beautiful animals from the Australian bush. You can watch koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, kangaroos, and native birds such as emus, red-tailed black cockatoos, and parrots. Don't miss the selection of over 20,000 flowering plants from Australia's native species.
Melbourne Zoo Entrances
Main Entrance: The main entrance is accessible if you are coming via tram, bus, or car. The entrance is on Elliott Ave.
Rail Gate Entrance: If you are coming by train, use the rail gate entrance from Royal Park Station. The entrance is on Poplar Road.
Visitor Tips
- Children visit free on school holidays and public holidays.
- You can bring food/picnic baskets to Melbourne Zoo.
- There is no free parking available inside Melbourne Zoo. For 5 hours, you have to pay AU$2 to park your car.
- Visit the zoo as early in the day as possible and on a weekday to avoid crowds.
- Melbourne Zoo is massive so be prepared to walk a lot. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
- Buy your tickets online because Melbourne Zoo does not sell tickets at the entrance.
- You can get a free map of the Melbourne Zoo online. Use it to plan your outing.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Visit Melbourne Zoo
A. Melbourne Zoo is in the heart of the Melbourne city center. The zoo is close to Royal Park and under a 20-minute drive from Melbourne Airport.
A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo is open to visitors.
A. Melbourne Zoo is the primary zoo in the city of Melbourne. It houses over 320 species of animals and thousands of plants. You can also watch up close animals outside of Australia.
A. No, but children can visit the zoo for free on weekends, Victorian public holidays, and school holidays. Children should be accompanied by an adult and require a ticket (free) to enter the zoo.
A. Melbourne Zoo tickets are available online. Tickets cannot be purchased at the gates.
A. Melbourne Zoo tickets start from AU$40.
A. Visit Melbourne Zoo on a weekday to avoid the tourist rush
A. The Melbourne Zoo opening hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM every day.
A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo allows group booking. You can pre-book Melbourne Zoo tickets 30 days in advance.
A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo is a family-friendly and educational destination. Kids can learn about wildlife, participate in various educational programs, and even enjoy a special menu at the restaurants.
A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo is wheelchair friendly. You can hire wheelchairs at the reception.
A. Yes, Melbourne Zoo has several restaurants serving different cuisines.
A. Melbourne Zoo is not a single attraction. It has several attractions spread over 22 hectares of park. It would take around 5 hours to explore the Melbourne Zoo.
A. Yes. Melbourne Zoo is notable for its conservation efforts and variety of animals - native and exotic.
