Melbourne Zoo, officially known as Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, is located in Parkville, Australia, approximately 4 kilometers north of Melbourne's city center. The zoo is home to over 3,742 animals representing 243 species from Australia and around the world. It operates from 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
Website Ratings:
Google: 4.4/5
TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
10 Must-Do Activities:
1. Visit the Trail of the Elephants
One of the zoo’s most popular areas is the Trail of the Elephants, an award-winning exhibit that recreates the lush forests of Southeast Asia. Here, you’ll encounter the zoo’s Asian elephants, including males, females, and calves. The exhibit is designed to mimic the elephants’ natural habitat, with large spaces for them to roam, bathe, and forage. You can observe the elephants up close and learn about the zoo’s conservation efforts to protect wild elephant populations.
2. Explore the Lion Gorge
Lion Gorge is home to African lions, Sumatran tigers, and the endangered snow leopards. The modern, naturalistic enclosures allow visitors to view these majestic predators from various angles, including through glass viewing areas. The lion exhibit is particularly exciting, with viewing platforms that bring you face-to-face with the king of the jungle.
3. Wander Through the Gorilla Rainforest
The Gorilla Rainforest is a lush, immersive exhibit that transports you to the dense forests of Africa. The star attractions here are the family of western lowland gorillas, known for their intelligence and social behavior. This exhibit also features pygmy hippopotamuses, lemurs, and various species of African birds, giving you a full rainforest experience. Be sure to check the feeding schedule to catch the gorillas during one of their more active periods.
4. Walk Among the Kangaroos and Emus
For a uniquely Australian experience, head to the Australian Bush section of the zoo. Here, you can walk among kangaroos, emus, and koalas in a natural bushland setting. The open design of the kangaroo and emu exhibit allows visitors to get close to these iconic Australian animals as they roam freely. Don’t forget to visit the platypus exhibit, where you can see these elusive creatures swimming in their water habitat.
5. See the Orangutans in Orangutan Sanctuary
The Orangutan Sanctuary is a must-see, featuring a group of Sumatran orangutans in a beautifully designed environment that includes treetop boardwalks and climbing towers. The sanctuary allows these intelligent apes to swing from tree to tree, just as they would in the wild. The zoo is actively involved in conservation efforts to protect orangutans from deforestation and habitat loss in Southeast Asia.
6. Visit the Butterfly House
Step into the Butterfly House for a truly magical experience. This warm, tropical exhibit is filled with hundreds of colorful butterflies fluttering around freely. The Butterfly House replicates the environment of a tropical rainforest and is home to species like the Ulysses butterfly and the Cairns birdwing butterfly. It’s a peaceful and visually stunning space where you can walk among the butterflies and even have them land on you!
7. Check Out the Wild Sea Exhibit
The Wild Sea exhibit is home to some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures, including Australian fur seals, penguins, and pelicans. This exhibit is designed to mimic Victoria’s rugged southern coastline, with underwater viewing areas that allow you to watch the seals and penguins swim and play. It’s a great spot to learn about marine conservation and the zoo’s efforts to protect endangered sea life.
8. Meet the Meerkats
The Meerkat Exhibit is always a favorite, especially for families. Watch these curious and highly social animals as they stand on their hind legs, dig tunnels, and interact with each other. Meerkats are known for their playful and active behavior, and their enclosure is designed to replicate the African savannah. It’s a fun and interactive exhibit that will keep visitors, especially children, entertained.
9. Explore the Reptile House
If you’re fascinated by reptiles, don’t miss the Reptile House. Here, you’ll find a range of reptiles from Australia and around the world, including snakes, lizards, and crocodiles. The exhibit includes some of Australia’s most venomous snakes, like the taipan and the eastern brown snake, as well as large reptiles like the Komodo dragon. The Reptile House is an educational space where you can learn about the fascinating adaptations of these often misunderstood creatures.
10. Admire the Giant Tortoises
Visit the Giant Tortoise exhibit to see these incredible, ancient creatures that can live for over 100 years. The Aldabra giant tortoises are among the largest tortoises in the world, and their slow, deliberate movements make them both fascinating and peaceful to watch. The exhibit also provides insights into the conservation efforts being made to protect these endangered animals.
Official Website: Melbourne Zoo | Zoos Victoria
"This image is for illustrative purposes only and may not accurately represent the actual location."
Main Positive Reviews:
Good Value for Money
Educational significance and allows animals to interact with humans in a natural environment.
The zoo isn’t large, but it’s great for a stroll and seeing animals, very close to the University of Melbourne.
Great zoo, convenient transportation, close-up views of animals, worth a visit.
Well-designed routes! It took almost 3 hours to walk through with kids.
A great place for family visits.
The staff are nice and friendly.
Kids love this zoo, the butterfly house is a must-visit, reasonably priced food.
The wait times are short, the young lady who served me was beautiful, very friendly, and had a great personality, it's always nice to see people smile.
Free entry for children is great. Very clean.
Main Negative Reviews:
The prices have increased significantly.
You can see many enclosures, but no animals.
Don’t expect to see every animal clearly, especially the red pandas, which often hide in tall trees.
The only downside is don’t go on weekends, spent a lot of money but didn’t see any animals.
Lack of good signage makes the zoo hard to navigate, compared to other zoos I’ve visited, Melbourne Zoo could do better. Disappointingly, many animals were not on display.
They don’t accept cash payments.
Overall Analysis
Cost: The average cost for a visitor is approximately AUD 48-53 for seniors and adults. Children under 16 can enter for free on weekends, public holidays, and Victorian school holidays.
Is it Worth Visiting:
Yes, Melbourne Zoo is considered worth visiting for its extensive range of animals, well-maintained facilities, and engaging exhibits. Visitors often highlight the zoo's educational value and conservation efforts.
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