Zoos in Melbourne: Fun family days out

Whether you are living in Melbourne or visiting Melbourne and looking for kids activities, your kids will love a day out at one of the three exciting zoos in Melbourne. You can visit Werribee Open Range Safari Zoo in the South West, Melbourne City Zoo near the city centre, or Healesville Sanctuary in the East. All three Melbourne zoo’s offer a different and exciting experience the whole family.

If you are looking to see animals out in the wild, take a look at our posts on the best places to see KOALAS and KANGAROOS in and around Melbourne.

Melbourne Zoos

Zoos Victoria have 3 different zoo experiences in Melbourne, and one outside in Kyabram. Each have a different experience and everyone has a different favourite.

Here’s an overview of each of the Melbourne Zoos.

Werribee Open Range Zoo Safari

Probably our favourite out of the zoos in Melbourne. I travelled around Africa a few years back and had a truly amazing experience. My kids see all of my photos and ask when they can go too. While we plan to take them one day, for now I give them the next best thing, a zoo safari at the Werribee zoo!

Only 30 minutes from the centre of Melbourne is the Werribee Open Range Safari Zoo situated on 225 hectares of savannah along the Werribee river. Its prime location next to the Werribee Park makes it perfect for a day out with the family.

Walking the Pula Reserve Trail you will pass lions, monkeys, cheetahs, gorillas and more, and in Summer time kids will love the hippo splash which is one of the Werribee Zoo’s most popular attractions.

On the 40 minute safari tour, families can see a wide range of animals getting close up to the animals in the open savannah where Zebras, Giraffes, Rhinos and antelopes roam freely.

Don’t forget the new Elephant trail that opened in 2025. This enormous 21-hectare habitat has six different areas for the Elephants to roam and two large swimming pools. You never know where the elephants will be though on any given day.

Of course, no Australian zoo experience would be complete without seeing some Australian native animals such as koalas, kangaroos, and emus.

Where is the Werribee Zoo:
K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030

Melbourne Zoo

Located near the centre of the city, the Melbourne Zoo has over 300 difference species of animals from around the world. You can see traditional zoo animals such as elephants, monkeys, tigers and lions but one of our favourites is the meerkat enclosures where you can get right up close with these amazing mammals.

Walking around the Melbourne Zoo is like strolling through a rainforest. Renowned for it’s natural beauty, the Melbourne zoo offers a variety of habitats to discover.

Watch the penguins and seals them above or underwater, or visit the butterfly house for a truly magical experience.

There are opportunities to watch the keepers feed the animals and learn about the wildlife in the zoo, and a variety of zoo encounters are available where you can really get up close to some of the most beautiful animals.

One thing I love at the Melbourne Zoo is their activity center for kids where they can dress up as zoo keepers, and vets and practice treating the animals.

Where is the Melbourne Zoo:
Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052

Healesville Sanctuary

If you are looking to see a variety of native Australian animals then Healesville Sanctuary in the breathtaking Yarra Valley is the perfect place. About an hour and half east of Melbourne, you are met with koalas, kangaroos, dingos, wombats, and emus and many woodland birds in a sanctuary that covers 30 hectares.

Healesville Sanctuary is also home to the Australian Wildlife centre who talk to guests about what they do to save Australian wildlife.

Healesville sanctuary offer special experiences where you can get up close to the iconic Australian animals to have the true Australian zoo experience.

A great day trip out of Melbourne, Healesville can also be incorporated into a trip around the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley.

Where is Healesville Sanctuary:
Badger Creek Rd, Healesville VIC 3777

Zoo Membership

If you live in or around Melbourne, then a Zoo membership is well worthwhile. A year’s membership gives you access to Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Kyabram Fauna Park all year round.as many times as you wish.

So on those days where the kids are bored, and you have nothing planned, a quick trip to the zoo will cost you nothing extra, and the kids will love you for it!

A Zoo membership entitles you to the following discounts:

10% discount on Zoo Twilights tickets and animal experiences
15% discount at Zoo retail outlets
Free subscription to Zoo News Magazine

How much does a zoo membership cost?
$159 per year (as of July 2024)

Which Melbourne Zoo to Visit?

Tough question! All of the zoos in Melbourne have something unique to offer and if you can visit all three, you will have three amazingly different days out with your family. Make sure to check out our list of ANIMAL FARMS MELBOURNE as there are a few where you can also see some native Australian animals too

For more activities for kids and family days out in Melbourne check out our Facebook page or Instagram.