10 Guaranteed Places where you can see Kangaroos in Melbourne

Where to see kangaroos in Melbourne? Below you can find the best places for kangaroo spotting in Melbourne and around regional Victoria. We have included many places that you can see them roaming around for free, along with some other popular sanctuaries and golf clubs too!

Where to see Kangaroos in Melbourne

Of all the wildlife in Australia, Kangaroos are undoubtedly the most famous and seeing these majestic marsupials in the wild is a bucket list experience not to be missed. Kangaroos even feature on the Australian Coat of Arms in celebration of the fact Australia is the only country in the world where these unique creatures call home.

Nothing beats witnessing their graceful hops in the wild, their joeys peeking from pouches and tails swaying to keep them balanced and just because you’re in the city doesn’t mean you’ve missed your opportunity to catch a glimpse. This guide details where to see kangaroos in Melbourne, including the best places in and around the city that you are guaranteed to spot a ‘roo or two.

1. Gisborne Golf Club

Large open grassland is an ideal habitat for kangaroos, making golf courses the ideal location to spot kangaroos in Melbourne. Based in the Macedon Ranges, around 40 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Gisborne Gold Club is home to nearly 200 Eastern Grey Kangaroos.

Although the club boasts an attractive 18 hole course, it is proving more popular for the kangaroo viewing tour, which lasts 30 minutes and offers a guaranteed glimpse of these exciting animals – all from the comfort of a five-seater golf buggy.

Kangaroo Tours cost $10 per adult or $30 for a family of 4. They are only available Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and can be booked online via the Club website here.

2. Anglesea Golf Course

Heading further afield, Anglesea Golf Course is approximately an hour and a half Southwest of Melbourne. It is home to a mob of 300 Eastern grey kangaroos which you can visit on an organised Kangaroo Tour.

Lead by Zoology students of Melbourne University; the tour will provide a fascinating insight into the life cycle and characteristics of these interesting animals. The tours were launched in 2015 and have welcomed visitors from around the world while ensuring the tour remains nature-based operating from electric vehicles to minimise disturbance.

Tours run daily 10am-4pm as well as Twilight Tours available from 4-6:30 pm. Tours last 25 minutes which includes photo opportunities at various lookout points.

For a guaranteed sighting of kangaroos in Melbourne, book your kangaroo tour online here with adult tickets costing $12.50 and children $5.

If you are taking a day trip, make sure to check out our list of things to do in nearby Lorne.

3. Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

Located a 50 minutes’ drive from Melbourne CBD, Moonlit Sanctuary is the perfect place to not only see kangaroos in Melbourne, but witness koalas and wallabies roam free.

Inspired by the conservation efforts of Gerald Durrel, Moonlit Sanctuary is home to over 60 Australian species allowing a rare natural encounter with many of the nation’s favourite fluffy friends including a mob of over 80 macropods such as wallabies, kangaroos and pademelons. You can even attend a “wallaby walk” which offers the opportunity to feed the wallabies and kangaroos as they nibble the food from your hand.

Alternatively, visit Moonlit sanctuary in the evening, for their world-famous lantern-lit tours as the park’s nocturnal residents such as owls, quolls and pademelons forage for food. The tours last approx. 90 minutes starting at 7pm and cost $50 per adult, $30 per child. For the ultimate adventure, the sanctuary can even arrange a transfer from the CBD, leaving from Federation Square for an additional fee.

For daytime visits, Moonlit Sanctuary is open daily from 10am until 5pm and tickets cost $24 for adults and $12 for children (under 3s are free.)

4. Ballarat Wildlife Park

About 90 minutes from Melbourne, Ballarat Wildlife Park makes the perfect day trip. From the moment you enter you are greeted by dozens of kangaroos of all sizes that you can interact with and even feed.

While many wildlife parks charge for animal encounters, interacting with the kangaroos at the Ballarat Wildife park is included with your entry, just don’t forget to purchase your food on arrival.

You won’t have to search for these native animals, they are freely hopping around the park. One of the best places to see kangaroos in Melbourne where you can actually get close up.

While you are in the area, make sure to check out the other Ballarat attractions which include the famous Sovereign Hill and Kryal Castle, especially if you have kids.

5. Woodlands Historic Park.

If you’re looking for somewhere to see kangaroos in Melbourne without the crowds, head to the peaceful Woodlands Historic Park. Situated around 12 minutes from Melbourne Airport and a 30-minute drive from the CBD, the park has a 150-year old homestead and Indigenous canoe trees surrounded by native woodland and grassland.

A visit to the park’s fenced Back Paddock is guaranteed a sighting of the resident kangaroos as well as birds and other wildlife. The kangaroos here are surprisingly tolerant of humans so as long as you remain quiet you will be treated to some extraordinary photo opportunities of these creatures in the wild.

The park is open to cars from 9am until 4.30pm, but pedestrians have access 24 hours a day. For more details see Parks Vic website

6. Halls Gap – The Grampians National Park

If you have plans to make the epic road trip out to the Grampians, you must stop at Halls Gap around 3 hours northwest of Melbourne. It is a small town where the kangaroo population appear to outnumber the humans, and it is a spectacular sight, especially if you plan on camping as you can witness crowds of kangaroos at both dawn and dusk.

Although you are almost guaranteed to spot them hopping around the roads of Halls Gap, it is highly recommended to pitch up at Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park. Alongside the stunning backdrop of the Grampians National Park, you will witness the daily migration of kangaroos from the valley into the park, offering an abundance of photo opportunities.

Better yet, you can take in the ‘roos views from the comfort of a luxurious cabin, retro glamping tent or even your motorhome thanks to the variety of pitches that overlook the valley. Unpowered campsites start at just $31 with the campground open all year round to kangaroos and visitors alike.

If you are heading to the Grampians, check out our full post on Things to do in Halls Gap. Or check out some options on where to stay in the area HERE.

Halls Gap is only 2.5 hours from Great Ocean Road – our next stop for spotting kangaroos in Melbourne.

7. Princetown Recreation Reserve – Great Ocean Road

With the mesmerising ocean on one side and towering rainforest on the other, it’s no surprise the Great Ocean Road is thriving with wildlife. Stretching 244km from Torquay to Warrnambool, this epic road trip offers endless opportunities to spot kangaroos in the wild.

A few favourites include – Johanna Beach car park on the Great Ocean Walk, Tower Hill between Warrnambool and Port Fairy and the hidden gem of Princetown on the Gellibrand River Flats which is mere minutes from the 12 Apostles.

After a day sightseeing on the Great Ocean Road, head to Princetown around dusk for one of the best places to see kangaroos in Victoria. You can easily spend hours admiring parents and joeys hop from one shrub to the next.

As a tip, there is a campsite at Princetown Recreation Reserve which offers powered sites and hot showers for only $25 a night. It’s ideal for not only watching the kangaroos enjoy their breakfast but for witnessing the 12 apostles at sunrise which are only a 10-minute drive away from the campsite.

You can find other accommodation options nearby HERE.

8. Healesville Sanctuary

Situated in the stunning Yarra Valley wine region, only an hour from Melbourne is Healesville Sanctuary. As you wander through the tranquil bushland you will be able to admire many Australian icons such as koalas, wombats, platypus and kangaroos.

By connecting, people and wildlife Healesville Sanctuary hope to inspire communities to conserve wildlife and the natural habitats of these beautiful animals.

Open daily from 9am to 5pm, Healesville Sanctuary is $38 per adult but FREE for children under 16 on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, otherwise its $19 per child.

See our full post on zoos in Melbourne here.

9. Cardinia Reservoir Park Kangaroo Viewing Trail.

Around 45 minutes South of Healesville sanctuary and 45 minutes East of Melbourne CBD you will find the Cardinia Reservoir Kangaroo Viewing Trail which runs adjacent to the reservoir wall.

Park up at the Spillway carpark then head downhill to the Crystal Brook picnic area. Along the route, you will find endless information about kangaroos in Melbourne as well as fascinating facts and figures about the Australian icon.

It is the perfect escape from the bustle of city life to enjoy a BBQ or let the kids run free with spectacular views of both the dam and joyful kangaroos.

The main gate to the park is open from 9am and closes at 8pm with the optimum time for kangaroo sightings being late afternoon.

For more info see Parks Vic website

10. Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserve

Located within the suburbs of Bundoora and Macleod around 30 minutes from the CBD, the Gresswell Nature Conservation area is three linking reserves which make up an area of over 70 hectares. Spanning 50 hectares, The Gresswell Forest Nature Reserve is the largest and also the most popular for sightings of kangaroos.

If you head for the Grasslands Track you will spot mobs of kangaroos grazing and bounding over the grassland. The park can only be accessed by foot to minimise disruption, with parking available at Greenwood Drive. Note there is also no BBQ, picnic or toilet facilities to protect the natural landscape as much as possible; however, they are available in the adjacent Greenwood Drive parkland.

The reserve is open 24 hours with numerous events and Nature Walks scheduled throughout the year.

For more info see Parks Vic website

Things to consider when kangaroo spotting in Melbourne

Although kangaroos are common throughout Australia, it is the fertile landscape that attracts the smaller, grey kangaroo to Melbourne in particular. You will also find Wallabies across Victoria which are similar in appearance although much smaller. Kangaroos are vegetarian, hence their likelihood to frequent areas of grassland or nearby woodlands to scavenge for nuts, leaves and seeds.

In order to see kangaroos in Melbourne, it is best to visit these sites around dawn or late afternoon. Always practise caution when driving near a kangaroo-prone area as collisions are common when kangaroos become startled by vehicles.

Please note, as with all wildlife in Australia respect these creatures from a distance. Although being city dwellers, they are not always comfortable with humans approaching so take photos from afar and never attempt to feed a wild animal.

There are plenty of Kangaroos in Melbourne and around!

From golf courses to the Great Ocean Road, hopefully, this guide has guaranteed you a glimpse of where to see kangaroos in Melbourne – let us know in the comments how your kangaroo mission goes or if your favourite wildlife spot isn’t on the list!

Looking for things to see and do in Melbourne with kids? Take a look at our main post: Melbourne for Kids with lots of ideas and inspiration. Follow Mum’s Little Explorers on Facebook and Instagram.