Located only 4 km from Melbourne's city center, the Melbourne Zoo offers a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life. If first opened its doors to the public in 1862 and has been modeled after the London Zoo. Once inside, there are over 5000 animals for you to discover. From kangaroos and koalas to penguins and seals, you will find them all here. Your Melbourne Zoo admission ticket will allow you to interact with these animals closely and understand their habitats. Apart from this, you will also get to experience the various animal shows that happen at set timings throughout the day.
Here's everything you need to know about visiting the Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo opening hours are 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM every day of the week.
Due to the zoo's immense popularity, it is best to visit during the early mornings of weekdays to avoid the crowds. The prime benefit of visiting in the morning hours is that this is the best time to spot your favorite animals; as evening approaches, the animals retreat into their habitats.
The Melbourne Zoo is located at the Royal Park, around 4 minutes from the city center.
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The most convenient and economical way to visit the Melbourne Zoo is via public transport. You can take a tram, train, or bus to the zoo.
Nearest bus stop: Stop 26 is located just under 2 mins by walk from the zoo entrance.
Nearest metro station: Royal Park Station is located just outside the zoo's rail gate entrance, just a minute away on foot.
Yes, the Melbourne Zoo has a paid parking facility you can make use of if you are traveling by your own car. At $2 for a 5-hour window, you can make use of the in-house parking.
Yes. You will find a number of cafes and F&B outlets at the Melbourne Zoo.
Yes, the Melbourne Zoo is wheelchair accessible. There is also a wheelchair rental facility that you can avail of.
Definitely! The zoo covers over 250 species of wildlife from around the world, including tigers, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, seals, a variety of reptiles, and much more. The zoo has taken great care to build and maintain habitats for these animals
You can book your tickets at the physical ticket counter at the zoo, or book them online. There are several benefits of booking your tickets online; you can avoid the long waiting lines at the ticket counters and simply show your e-ticket at the entrance to enjoy quick entry. Additionally, you also enjoy additional discounts, cashback, and other offers if you book your tickets online.
You have two broad ticket types to choose from: standard entry tickets and combo tours.
Standard entry tickets offer quick, easy entry into the zoo, and offers unlimited access to all wildlife exhibits.
Combo tours allow you to not just gain entry to the Melbourne Zoo, but you can club your experience with other top attractions in the city such as the Skydeck and many more. Combos are a great way to save time and money.
Yes. Children between the age of 4-15, holders of the Australian Pensioner Concession Card, and full-time students enjoy reduced pricing on their tickets, while toddlers under the age of 3 get free entry. Please make sure to carry a valid ID for your ticket. Additionally, depending on the ticket you book, you can enjoy discounts up to 10%, with additional 10% cashback on your final booking.
You can visit the zoo between 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM every day of the week. It is open throughout the year. Ideally, it's best to visit early morning hours on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowd.
If you plan to explore all the major animal habitats and spot all the unique species within the zoo, you should set aside at least 3 hours of your time. The zoo hosts a diverse group of animals which require a good few hours to visit and learn more.
If you do not have a vehicle, public transport is a convenient way to get to the Melbourne Zoo. The closest bus stop is Stop 26, which is located just under 2 mins by walk from the zoo entrance. Similarly, the closest metro station is Royal Park Station, which is just outside the zoo's rail gate entrance, just a minute away on foot.