Werribee Open Range Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo is the Zoos Victoria park built around space, and it feels completely different from the leafy inner-city Melbourne Zoo. Set on the plains at Werribee South, about 30 minutes from the city by car, it recreates open African, Asian and Australian habitats where herds of grazing animals roam across wide paddocks. The signature experience is the free safari bus tour across the savannah, which is included with entry and takes you among giraffes, zebras, rhinos and antelope with a keeper's commentary. On foot, the walking trails lead to the lion pride, hippo beach, meerkats and other African species, as well as an Australian section with kangaroos and emus. The biggest change in years is the Elephant Trail. In early 2025 Melbourne Zoo's Asian elephants moved to Werribee, and on 23 March 2025 the new 21-hectare habitat opened to visitors. It is roughly the size of the whole of Melbourne Zoo, with two large pools fed by recycled water, barns, open space for the herd to roam, a walking trail with viewing points and a cafe. Nine elephants lived there at the opening, and the herd has since grown with new calves, which have been a major draw. The zoo is open 365 days a year from 9am to 5pm, with last entry at 3.30pm, and Zoos Victoria offers free entry for children on weekends, public holidays and Victorian school holidays. The zoo publishes suggested routes: an hour covers meerkats and Australian animals, two hours adds the safari, and four hours takes in the lions, hippos and the full savannah loop. Add the Elephant Trail and most visitors find a full day well spent.

Structure your day around the safari bus. Check departure times at the entrance and join an early tour, when animals are often more active and queues are shorter. Then walk to the lions and hippos before the heat of the day, take lunch at the Elephant Trail cafe, and spend the afternoon watching the herd at the pools. In summer, bring sun protection and water: the open-range setting means long walks with limited shade. Animal talks are scheduled through the day, and paid experiences, from behind-the-scenes encounters to the overnight Slumber Safari, can be booked through Zoos Victoria.

A car is the easiest way to get there, as the zoo is on K Road in Werribee South, beside the historic Werribee Park mansion and the Victoria State Rose Garden, which make a good add-on. By public transport, take a Metro train on the Werribee line to Werribee station, then a connecting bus; allow well over an hour each way. Several Melbourne tour operators include Werribee in day itineraries, but driving gives the most flexibility.

Who should go? Families with children who love big animals will find it the best wildlife day near Melbourne, and the elephants alone justify the trip for many visitors. Those short on time and wanting Australian animals may prefer Healesville Sanctuary or Melbourne Zoo, both easier to combine with other sights. If you visited Melbourne Zoo before 2025 expecting elephants, note they are now here.