Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo opened in 1862, which makes it the oldest zoo in Australia, and it remains one of the most pleasant: a garden zoo of mature trees, winding paths and heritage buildings in Royal Park, about four kilometres north of the city centre. Run by Zoos Victoria, a not-for-profit conservation organisation, it houses hundreds of species, with modern habitats that put welfare and conservation ahead of spectacle. Highlights include the Gorilla Rainforest and Treetops Apes and Monkeys, where you can watch orangutans moving through the canopy; Lion Gorge; Wild Sea, with fur seals and little penguins seen from above and below the water; the Great Flight Aviary; a tropical Butterfly House where butterflies land on visitors; and a large Australian section where you can see koalas, kangaroos, wombats and platypus. The zoo's former elephant area, renamed the Forest of Wonder, is a lush trail of Asian rainforest plants and animals; the elephants themselves moved to a much larger new home at Werribee Open Range Zoo in February 2025. Keeper talks run throughout the day, and the zoo is a leader in conservation programmes for threatened Victorian species. It opens every day of the year from 9am to 5pm. One of the best deals in Melbourne: children under 16 enter free on weekends and on Victorian school and public holidays, when accompanied by an adult, which makes it an affordable family day. Booking online in advance is recommended for everyone, including babies.

Plan a route to avoid backtracking. Most visitors start with the gorillas and orangutans near the main entrance, then loop through the Asian rainforest, Lion Gorge and the African areas before heading to Wild Sea and the Australian bush section. The Butterfly House is warm and humid, a good stop on a cold day. Check the schedule of keeper talks when you arrive and build your visit around one or two, particularly the seals and the primates. There are cafes and picnic areas, and you are welcome to bring your own food. Allow three to four hours to see it properly; with small children, the zoo is a full day out.

Getting there is easy. Tram 58 from William Street in the city stops right at the zoo, and Royal Park station on the Upfield train line is a short walk away. Driving is possible, with paid parking nearby, but public transport is simpler. The zoo sits within Royal Park, a large open parkland that is pleasant for a walk before or after your visit. If you are heading out to the other Zoos Victoria parks, Werribee Open Range Zoo, south-west of the city, is the place for savannah animals and now the elephants, and Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley is dedicated to Australian wildlife.

A few tips. Weekends and school holidays are busy because of free entry for children, so arrive at opening time for the best viewing; weekdays in term time are much quieter. Animals are most active in the morning and in cooler weather; on very hot days, many rest in the shade. The zoo uses a combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits, so it works in most weather, but bring a hat and sunscreen in summer and a jacket in winter. Membership is good value for longer stays, as it covers all three Zoos Victoria parks. Finally, leave time for the gift shop and the playgrounds if you are with children, and consider ending the day with a walk across Royal Park or a meal on Lygon Street in Carlton, a short tram ride away.