Werribee Open Range Zoo: Ticket prices, opening hours & visitor guide

Why visit Werribee Open Range Zoo?

Werribee Open Range Zoo is an African-themed zoo spanning approximately 225 hectares (560 acres) on the Werribee River in Werribee Park. It’s located about 32 kilometres southwest of Melbourne. As part of Zoos Victoria — which operates Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, and Kyabram Fauna Park — Werribee Zoo opened in 1983 to house overflow animals from Melbourne Zoo. The initial focus was on kangaroos, bison, deer, and ostriches. The zoo has since expanded dramatically. It now showcases approximately 360 animals, representing 40 species from Africa, Asia, North America, and Australia.

To skip the explanation, and just book Werribee Open Range Zoo tickets, head this way.

What to expect at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Unlike smaller Australian wildlife parks such as the Cleland Wildlife Park in Adelaide, Caversham Wildlife Park in Perth and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Werribee Open Range Zoo doesn’t focus on native wildlife.

Werribee Zoo is famous for its open-range savannah where African wildlife roams freely across vast grasslands, viewable during complimentary guided safari bus tours. The experience mimics authentic African wilderness, distinguishing it from traditional zoos with small enclosures. In 2011, Werribee gained three male western lowland gorillas from Melbourne Zoo — an adult silverback and his two sons housed in a 10,000-square-metre sanctuary featuring climbing structures, wide-open spaces, and indoor facilities. This $2.2 million facility represents one of the largest gorilla exhibits in the world.

In February 2025, Werribee Zoo completed an $88 million expansion funded by the Victorian Government, adding a state-of-the-art 210,000-square-metre (52-acre) habitat for Asian elephants. The project relocated Melbourne Zoo’s nine Asian elephants to purpose-built barns with 9-metre-high ceilings and 2-metre-deep sand floors. The Elephant Trail opened to the public in late March 2025, featuring seven management yards, two large pools, visitor walking trails, and elephant overpasses allowing elephants to pass over visitor paths. This expansion demonstrates Zoos Victoria’s commitment as a not-for-profit conservation organisation fighting wildlife extinction.

What to see at Werribee Open Range Zoo

The complimentary safari bus tour at Werribee transports visitors through open plains representing Asia, North America, and Africa. Lasting 35 to 40 minutes with capacity for up to 140 people per bus, tours operate multiple times daily with commentary from safari guides. You’ll encounter lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, bison, and other species roaming freely across savannah landscapes. The last safari bus departs at 3.30pm.

The Elephant Trail at Werribee Zoo — opened March 2025 — features a 21-hectare open-range habitat with elephant barns, communal areas, training yards, and breeding facilities viewable by visitors. Two dedicated overpass bridges allow elephants to cross visitor walking trails between management yards and outer habitats, creating unique viewing opportunities.

Walking trails at Werribee include the Australian Trail following the Werribee River through bush and grasslands where Eastern Grey Kangaroos, emus, Southern Koalas, Tammar Wallabies, birds, and reptiles live. The Chirnside Woolshed sits along this trail. The Lion Trail allows close encounters with the pride, whilst the Waterhole Trail features hippos in their wetland home. The Gorilla Sanctuary houses the bachelor gorilla group in one of the world’s largest exhibits.

Animal experiences at Werribee (additional fees apply) include the Australian Wildlife Experience with iconic animals, Giraffe Experience going behind the scenes with keepers, Meerkat Experience meeting the meerkat family, Hippo Experience helping with dinner preparations, and Lion Encounter meeting the pride. Slumber Safari offers overnight adventures with animal encounters, guided off-road safari tours, sunset drinks, dinner, and breakfast.

Visiting Werribee Open Range Zoo near Melbourne: practical information

Werribee Open Range Zoo opening times and admission

Werribee Open Range Zoo is open 365 days per year from 9.00am to 5.00pm with last entry at 3.30pm. All habitats close at 4.30pm, and the last safari bus departs at 3.30pm.

Admission prices to Werribee Open Range Zoo for weekdays are: children (0 to 3 years) free, children (4 to 15 years) from $28.50, adults (16+ years) $54.40. Children visit Werribee Zoo free on weekends, Victorian Government school holidays, and Victorian public holidays (ages 4 to 15, must be accompanied by an adult or someone aged 16+). Concession tickets apply to Australian Pensioner Concession Card holders, full-time student card holders, Healthcare Card holders, Disability Concession holders, and DVA Gold and White Card holders.

Zoos Victoria membership costs $12.42 per month over 12 months, providing unlimited entry to all four zoos (Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park).

Booking Werribee Zoo tickets in advance online is essential — everyone must have pre-booked tickets. Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours exploring Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Getting to Werribee Open Range Zoo from Melbourne

Werribee Open Range Zoo is located at K Road, Werribee South, Victoria 3030, approximately 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD.

Reaching Werribee Zoo by car: free parking operates in two main car parks. On weekends and school holidays, car parks fill quickly — arrive early to avoid queues. Accessible parking bays operate near the main entrance.

Getting to Werribee Open Range Zoo by train and bus: from Melbourne CBD (Flinders Street Station), board a Werribee Line train to Werribee Station (trains every 20 minutes, 40-minute journey covering 40km). From just outside Werribee Station, catch Bus 439 Werribee South to the zoo (buses every 30 minutes, 12-minute journey covering 5km). From Geelong, board a Melbourne-direction train from Geelong Station to Wyndham Vale Station (25-minute journey), then catch Bus 190 to Werribee Station, transferring to Bus 439 Werribee South.

Werribee Open Range Zoo accessibility and facilities

Werribee Open Range Zoo accessibility varies throughout the property. Most areas are wheelchair and pram accessible, including (crucially) the safari bus tour. Some safari experiences may not be fully accessible due to terrain. Accessible parking operates near the main entrance. Contact the zoo before visiting regarding specific accessibility requirements.

Facilities at Werribee Zoo include the Meerkat Bistro offering meals with views of meerkat play, various takeaway options, picnic areas with lawns, gift shops, toilets, baby-changing facilities, and indoor and outdoor play spaces including Monkey Rope Play (swinging tree to tree), sandy fossil dig pits, Hippo Beach water play (summer), and Meerkat-themed play space near the bistro.

Tips for visiting Werribee Open Range Zoo

• Arrive at 9.00am opening when animals are most active, temperatures are moderate, crowds are minimal, and you have the full day to explore.
• Book tickets online in advance — pre-booking is mandatory for entry.
• Take advantage of free children’s entry on weekends, Victorian public holidays, and school holidays (ages 4 to 15).
• Consider Zoos Victoria membership ($12.42/month) if planning multiple visits — it provides unlimited entry to four zoos.
• Don’t miss the complimentary safari bus tour — it’s included with admission and departs multiple times daily until 3.30pm.
• Explore the new Elephant Trail (opened March 2025) — the purpose-built habitat with overpasses is spectacular.
• Allow 3 to 5 hours minimum to see everything without rushing.
• Bring change of clothes if visiting during summer for Hippo Beach water play.
• Book animal experiences in advance if interested — Zoos Victoria members receive discounts.
• Visit the gorilla sanctuary — one of the world’s largest exhibits.

Nearby attractions to Werribee Open Range Zoo

Werribee Park Mansion sits adjacent to the zoo with stunning gardens, heritage orchard, and mansion tours exploring 19th-century pastoral heritage. Victoria State Rose Garden contains over 5,000 blooms perfect for picnics. Werribee River offers scenic walking and cycling trails. Werribee Gorge State Park features dramatic cliffs rising from the Werribee River with bushwalking tracks. Melbourne CBD sits 32km northeast with Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Melbourne Skydeck. Geelong (approximately 45km southwest) provides waterfront dining, beaches, and the National Wool Museum.

More Victoria travel articles

Other Victoria travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

• A series of wildlife encounters on the Great Ocean Road.
• Why it’s worth visiting Cactus Country in Strathmerton.
• What to expect at Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool.
• How tours of the J Ward Lunatic Asylum in Ararat work.
• Practical guide to visiting Ballarat Wildlife Park.