Australia’s oldest zoo: A conservation legacy
Melbourne Zoo, officially known as the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, is Australia’s oldest zoo, established in 1862 in its current location within Royal Park. The zoo is internationally recognized for its extensive conservation and research programs and beautifully landscaped gardens.
The zoo’s mission is focused on fighting wildlife extinction, with many exhibits dedicated to showcasing and protecting endangered species. This focus means a visit offers both family entertainment and an opportunity to support global conservation efforts.
To buy Melbourne Zoo tickets, head this way.
Planning your visit: Hours and admission
Melbourne Zoo is open 365 days a year, ensuring accessibility for visitors regardless of the season.
Operating hours
The zoo maintains consistent daily operating hours:
| Day | Opening time | Closing time |
|---|---|---|
| Daily (365 days a year) | 9:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Admission prices and free entry policy
General admission ticket prices vary by age and time of visit. Importantly, the zoo offers free admission for children during peak periods:
- Children (aged 4-15 years): Entry is free on weekends, Victorian public holidays, and during Victorian Government school holidays. On weekdays outside these periods, a child ticket is $28.50.
- Children (aged 0-3 years): Entry is free every day.
- Adults (16+ years): Admission starts from $54.50.
- Concession/seniors: Prices start from $41.00.
Tickets can be bought online.
Getting there and parking
Melbourne Zoo is conveniently located near the city centre, offering multiple public transport routes that stop directly at the gates.
Public transport
The zoo is easily reached by train, tram, or bus:
- Train: Take the Upfield Line to Royal Park Station.
- Tram: Take Tram Route 58 (West Coburg – Toorak) to Stop 26 (Melbourne Zoo).
- Bus: Bus Route 505 (Moonee Ponds – Melbourne University) stops at Melbourne Zoo/Poplar Road.
Parking
Limited on-site parking is available. Visitors can also find alternative parking nearby:
- Melbourne Sport Centre Parkville: Located on Brens Drive, this is approximately an eight-minute walk to the Rail Gate entrance.
- Ikon Park: Located on Royal Parade, this is approximately a 15-minute walk to the Main Gate entrance.
- Local street parking: On-street parking is available on Royal Parade and The Avenue.
Five great things to do while you’re in Melbourne
- 🏙️ Get to know the city’s history and culture on a laneways walking tour.
- 🍷 Take a Yarra Valley day tour with indulgent wine-tasting.
- 🚴 Cover far more of Melbourne’s highlights on an electric bike tour.
- 🛶 Kayak along the Yarra River at sunset.
- 🍽️ Discover Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene on a top-rated food tour.
Exhibits and daily activities
The zoo is organized into diverse habitat zones, allowing visitors to travel through different continents and ecosystems.
Major exhibit zones
Key areas to explore include:
- Forest of Wonder: Home to Sumatran tigers, orangutans, and siamangs.
- Lion Gorge: Features large carnivores, including the resident lions.
- Wild Sea: Provides underwater viewing to see marine life.
- Gorilla Rainforest: A dedicated habitat for the gorilla troop.
- Australian Bush: Showcases native animals, including kangaroos and koalas.
A section of the Main Trail features rare animals, including the Aldabra Giant Tortoises, the oldest residents at the zoo, and the Komodo Dragon. The frog exhibit is particularly noteworthy, as the zoo is the only place in the world where you can see the rare and elusive Baw Baw Frog.
Keeper talks and shows
The zoo offers free daily keeper talks that provide insight into the animals and the conservation work being undertaken.
Examples of daily keeper talks available throughout the day include:
- Penguin talk: Available at 16:00 pm.
- Meerkat talk: Available at 1:15 pm.
- Lion talk: Available at 12:30 am.
- Koala talk: Available at 11:00 am.
Visitor services and accessibility
Food and dining
The zoo provides several dining options:
- Lakeside Cafe: Offers sit-down and takeaway options, including Wagyu burgers and Buddha bowls.
- Giraffe Lookout Cafe: Serves items like BBQ sausage with views of the giraffes.
- Railgate Cafe: Provides coffee and takeaway snacks.
Accessibility and support
The zoo is committed to accessibility. Free entry is provided to carers accompanying a person with a disability who holds a relevant Health Care Card, Disability Pension Card, or Companion Card.
For visitors with specific needs, Social Scripts (visual documents) and Sensory Maps are available to help prepare for the visit and navigate high and low sensory areas.
- Mobility aids: Wheelchair hire is available. Limited numbers of single ($20 for non-members) and double strollers ($35 for non-members) can also be hired.
- Behind-the-scenes experiences: Some animal encounters, such as the ultimate experience, can be modified for wheelchair accessibility requests.
Nearby attractions
The zoo is located within Royal Park, the largest open space in the City of Melbourne. A visit to the zoo can be easily paired with activities in the park itself or nearby cultural hubs:
- Royal Park: The 170-hectare park offers extensive walking and running trails, picnic and barbecue facilities, and an award-winning nature playground with a sandpit and water play area.
- University of Melbourne: The historic university campus is located nearby.
- Ikon Park: A nearby sporting facility used for AFLW.
- Melbourne Museum: A major cultural institution offering various engaging exhibits is a short distance from Parkville.
More Melbourne travel
Other Melbourne travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A guide to visiting Luna Park Melbourne.
- How to get the best out of a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria.
- Tips for visiting ACMI in Federation Square.
- Review of the MCG tour.
- Guide to Birrarung Marr – central Melbourne’s riverside park.
