Melbourne Zoo Visitor Guide (2026): Tickets, Map & Tips
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- Melbourne Tourism Guide
- Updated
- October 25, 2026
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- 12 min
Melbourne Zoo guide — tickets (kids free on weekends/holidays), keeper talks, top exhibits, food options, accessibility and a half-day or full-day itinerary.
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Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia (opened 1862) and one of Melbourne’s top family attractions. Spread across about 22 hectares in the inner-north suburb of Parkville, the zoo houses lions, gorillas, snow leopards, orangutans, giraffes and a famous butterfly house; its Asian elephants moved to a new habitat at Werribee Open Range Zoo in February 2025. With keeper talks throughout the day, conservation programs, and consistently strong reviews, Melbourne Zoo remains the city’s best wildlife experience for both first-time visitors and locals.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a Melbourne Zoo visit: ticket prices, opening hours, how to get there, the best exhibits and keeper talks, food options, accessibility, money-saving tips, and a recommended half-day itinerary. Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, school-age kids, or as adults wanting an unhurried day out, this guide has you covered.
Melbourne Zoo at a glance
| Address | Elliott Avenue, Parkville VIC 3052 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00am – 5:00pm daily |
| Adult ticket | From A$58 (price varies with the date and how far ahead you book) |
| Child (4-15) | FREE on weekends, public holidays and school holidays |
| Seniors | From A$52.50 |
| Concession | From A$44 |
| Best for | Families, animal lovers, photography, half-day visit |
| Time needed | 3-5 hours minimum, 6+ hours for thorough visit |
Children under 16 are FREE on weekends, all Victorian public holidays, and during all Victorian school holiday periods. This is one of Australia’s best free-for-kids deals — plan your visit on a weekend or holiday for maximum savings.
How to get to Melbourne Zoo
By tram (recommended)
Tram route 58 stops at Stop 26 Melbourne Zoo, and Transport Victoria’s journey planner gives the travel time from wherever you start. While Victoria’s half-price fares run (until 1 January 2027), a Zone 1+2 fare on Myki is A$2.85 for two hours, with a daily cap of A$5.70 (A$4 on weekends and public holidays). Free travel covers only journeys wholly inside the Free Tram Zone, so touch on when you board a tram out to the zoo.
By train
Upfield line trains run daily from Flinders Street to Royal Park Station, which is just across the road from the zoo’s rail gate. Frequencies change through the day, so check the Upfield line timetable on the Transport Victoria site before you go.
By car
Parking at the zoo costs A$2 for a five-hour ticket, and the car park is run by Melbourne City Council. It gets busy at peak times, school holidays included, so allow extra time to find a space. From the CBD, drive west on Royal Parade and turn into Elliott Avenue; the zoo is only minutes north of the city centre.
Buying tickets
The cheapest way to buy Melbourne Zoo tickets is online at zoo.org.au, where adult entry starts at A$58 and the price depends on the date you visit and how far ahead you book. Tickets are dated to a specific entry date but allow re-entry on the same day. Booking in advance, or for an off-peak day, gets you a lower price.
Annual passes: If you’ll visit Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo or Healesville Sanctuary more than three times in a year, Zoos Victoria membership saves money. It costs A$149 a year per adult and covers all four Zoos Victoria properties, and children under 16 from the same household join free with an adult member, so two parents and their kids pay A$298.
Combined attraction passes: iVenture’s Unlimited and Flexi passes for Melbourne include zoo entry alongside other attractions. Weigh the pass price against the attractions you’d actually visit before buying. See our Melbourne city pass comparison for advice.
Top exhibits at Melbourne Zoo
1. Forest of Wonder
Forest of Wonder is the precinct that used to be the Trail of the Elephants. Melbourne Zoo’s nine Asian elephants moved to a new habitat at Werribee Open Range Zoo in February 2025, so there are no elephant talks or feedings here any more. Come instead for the Asian small-clawed otters, sun bears, gibbons and tigers, and time your walk for the tiger keeper talk at 3:30pm. Allow 45-60 minutes.
2. Gorilla Rainforest
The Gorilla Rainforest is home to Melbourne Zoo’s western lowland gorillas: the silverback Otana and his troop of females. Indoor viewing pods provide all-weather visibility, and the elevated outdoor walkway gives sweeping rainforest views. The gorilla keeper talk is at 1:15pm; check the day’s programme when you arrive.
3. Butterfly House
Kept at around 27°C, the Butterfly House holds more than 600 free-flying butterflies from about 13 tropical species. Wear bright colours — the butterflies will land on you. The exhibit is most active mid-morning to early afternoon. Wheelchair-accessible. Allow 20-30 minutes.
4. Lions, snow leopards and predators
The Predators precinct features African lions, snow leopards (one of only a handful of zoos in the southern hemisphere with snow leopards), and Sumatran tigers (over in Forest of Wonder). Catch the lion keeper talk at 12:30pm.
5. Wild Sea — penguins, seals and pelicans
The Wild Sea exhibit features Australian fur seals, little penguins (the world’s smallest penguin species, native to Phillip Island), and Australian pelicans. The underwater seal viewing tunnel is a kid favourite.
6. Australian Bush precinct
For visitors wanting to see iconic Australian wildlife, the Australian Bush precinct features kangaroos (in a walk-through area), wombats, koalas, emus, dingoes and Tasmanian devils.
7. Orangutan Sanctuary
The Orangutan Sanctuary is home to Melbourne Zoo’s family of Sumatran orangutans. The exhibit is naturalistic, with multiple climbing structures and rainforest plantings. The orangutan keeper talk at 10:45am is a highlight.
Daily keeper talk schedule
Keeper talks are free with admission and run rain or shine. Schedule for 2026:
| Time | Talk | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:45am | Orangutan keeper talk | Orangutan Sanctuary |
| 11:30am | Giraffe keeper talk | See the zoo map |
| 12:30pm | Lion keeper talk | Predators precinct |
| 1:15pm | Gorilla keeper talk | Gorilla Rainforest |
| 3:30pm | Tiger keeper talk | Forest of Wonder |
Not every talk runs every day, and schedules occasionally change for animal welfare or weather — check the animal talks page on zoo.org.au before you go, or the daily timetable at the entrance kiosk on arrival.
Special experiences and tours
Roar ‘n’ Snore overnight stay
Roar ‘n’ Snore is Melbourne Zoo’s overnight glamping experience — a luxury safari-style tent inside the zoo grounds. Includes dinner, breakfast, exclusive after-hours zoo access, and a guided night tour. A$299 per adult and A$219 per child aged 5-12, or A$269 and A$197 for Zoos Victoria members. Books 6-12 months ahead.
Behind-the-scenes tours
30-minute keeper-led tours into off-display animal areas are available for A$45 per person. Available tours include Gorilla Encounter, Tiger Encounter and Snow Leopard Encounter. Minimum ages differ from one experience to the next, so check the age limit before you book.
Twilight at the Zoo (summer only)
In summer, Melbourne Zoo hosts Zoo Twilights, a series of evening live music concerts in the zoo grounds. The season’s dates, gate times and line-up appear on the Zoo Twilights page at Moshtix, the series’ ticketing site. Tickets A$60-95 depending on the headline act. Picnic and BYO food allowed.
Food at Melbourne Zoo
The zoo has eight places to eat, ranging from cheap takeaway to sit-down cafe meals, and two of them open only in peak periods:
- Lakeside Café: Sit-down cafe with mains A$22-32, kids’ meals A$14. It’s the zoo’s only indoor seated café, tucked close to the Japanese Garden.
- Meerkat Café: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads and hot bakery items at the main entrance, open 8:45am-5pm.
- Macaw Takeaway: Burgers and hot chips, 10:30am-3pm. The kid-friendly choice.
- Also on site: Sushi Sushi, Ben & Jerry’s and Giraffe Lookout Café, plus Kiosk of Wonder and Rail Café during peak periods.
BYO food: Picnics are allowed. Multiple shaded picnic tables and lawns are available throughout the zoo. Bring a refillable water bottle and top it up at the refill points around the zoo.
Suggested itineraries
Half-day visit (3-4 hours)
- 9:30am: Arrive at zoo, start in the Australian Bush — kangaroos, wombats, koalas
- 10:45am: Orangutan keeper talk
- 11:30am: Giraffe keeper talk
- 12:30pm: Lion keeper talk
- 1:15pm: Gorilla Rainforest for the gorilla talk
- 1:45pm: Lunch at Lakeside Café or picnic
- 2:30pm: Butterfly House and depart
Full-day visit (6+ hours)
- 9:00am: Arrive at opening, head to Australian Bush precinct (less crowded early)
- 10:45am: Orangutan keeper talk
- 11:30am: Giraffe keeper talk, then stay for the giraffes and zebras
- 12:30pm: Lion keeper talk + lunch
- 1:15pm: Gorilla Rainforest and the gorilla keeper talk
- 2:00pm: Wild Sea (seals, penguins)
- 2:45pm: Butterfly House and Reptile House
- 3:30pm: Tiger keeper talk in Forest of Wonder, then the Predators precinct
- 4:30pm: Final pass through favourites and depart
Visiting with kids
Melbourne Zoo is one of Melbourne’s most pram-friendly attractions — paths are sealed, gentle gradients, and there are baby change facilities at three locations. Pram hire is A$20 for a single or A$35 for a double (Zoos Victoria members pay A$17 and A$29.75); bring photo ID and a credit card.
Best for under 5s: Butterfly House, Wild Sea (penguin and seal feeds), the Tasmanian devils, and the kangaroo walk-through.
Best for 5-10: All keeper talks, Gorilla Rainforest, Forest of Wonder, Reptile House.
Best for 10+: Behind-the-scenes encounters (12+), Snow Leopards, Tigers, Roar ‘n’ Snore overnight stays.
Children’s playground: The zoo has a dedicated children’s playground (Growing Wild) near the main entrance. It’s included with general entry, and during the school term the Keeper Kids team runs interactive, play-based sessions every day.
Accessibility
Melbourne Zoo is fully wheelchair-accessible. All paths are sealed, gradients are gentle (the steepest section is in the Gorilla Rainforest), and dedicated accessible parking is at the front of the car park. Wheelchair hire is available; photo ID is required, and it’s best to book ahead through the zoo’s accessibility page. Companion Card holders are admitted free with their card holder.
Sensory-friendly maps, quiet zones, and noise-cancelling headphones are available at the entrance.
Best time to visit Melbourne Zoo
Best months: March-May (autumn) and September-November (spring) have the most pleasant weather and animal activity. Hot summer days (35°C+) see many animals retreating to indoor or shaded areas — visit early morning if visiting in summer.
Best time of day: 9-11am is when most animals are most active. By 1-3pm in summer, many will be sleeping or in the shade. Late afternoon (3-5pm) sees a second activity peak.
Quietest days: Tuesday-Thursday (term time) and Sunday afternoons after 3pm. School holidays are the zoo’s peak periods, so expect more company then.
Conservation work
Zoos Victoria runs more captive breeding and recovery programs than any other institution in Australia. Programs include Tasmanian devil insurance population breeding, eastern barred bandicoot recovery, Lord Howe Island stick insect breeding, and orangutan habitat protection in Sumatra. Visitors contribute directly through admission fees and through Beads for Wildlife (handcrafted Kenyan beadwork sold at the gift shop).
Beyond the headline animals
Royal Melbourne Zoo, in Parkville just north of the city, opened in 1862 and is Australia’s oldest zoo, with beautifully landscaped habitats. Beyond the crowd favourites — the gorillas, tigers, lions and the walk-through butterfly house — look out for the immersive Wild Sea precinct with its seals and penguins, the Australian bush area with kangaroos and emus, and the orang-utans in their sanctuary. Keeper talks run through the day and are well worth catching, so grab a map on arrival and plan your route around the ones your kids most want to see. There’s easily a full day here.
Shows, talks and summer Twilights
The zoo packs in more than just animal viewing. Free keeper presentations dotted through the day teach kids about the animals and conservation in an accessible, entertaining way. In summer, the much-loved Zoo Twilights concert series sees live music in the grounds on warm evenings — a wonderful, atmospheric way to experience the zoo (though these are evening events better suited to older kids and adults). The zoo is also a serious conservation organisation, and the visit doubles as a gentle education in protecting threatened species, which sparks great conversations with curious children.
Pair it with other family days
The zoo is one of three big Melbourne animal experiences, alongside the SEA LIFE aquarium and the wildlife parks on a family day trip such as Healesville Sanctuary. Over a longer trip you could do all three for a brilliant animal-themed week. It’s a central, mostly-outdoor day, so pick a fine-weather day and save the indoor attractions for when it rains — our Melbourne with kids guide helps you balance the week.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Melbourne Zoo cost?
Adult tickets start at A$58, and the price shifts with the visit date and how early you book. Children 4-15 are FREE on weekends, public holidays and school holidays — otherwise from A$29. Seniors pay from A$52.50 and concession holders from A$44.
How long do you need at Melbourne Zoo?
3-4 hours for a half-day highlights visit. 5-6 hours for a comprehensive visit including all keeper talks. The zoo is too large to see thoroughly in less than 3 hours — most families spend 4-5 hours.
Are kids free at Melbourne Zoo?
Children aged 4-15 are FREE on all weekends, all Victorian public holidays, and all Victorian school holiday periods. Outside these times, child entry starts at A$29. Children under 4 are always free.
Is Melbourne Zoo or Werribee Open Range Zoo better?
Melbourne Zoo (in Parkville) is better for first-time visitors and families with young children — it has the iconic exhibits (gorillas, orangutans, butterflies). Werribee Open Range Zoo, about a 30-minute drive west of the CBD if traffic allows, suits anyone who likes the safari-bus experience and African plains animals (lions, rhinos, giraffes), and it is now home to the Asian elephants that left Melbourne Zoo in 2025. Both can be done with the same Zoos Victoria annual pass.
Can you bring food into Melbourne Zoo?
Yes — picnics and BYO food are encouraged. Multiple shaded picnic tables are available. No glass bottles, no alcohol (except at Twilights events). Refillable water bottles are recommended.
Is parking free at Melbourne Zoo?
No — the council-run car park charges A$2 for a five-hour ticket. There is also on-street parking, mostly on The Avenue and Royal Parade; read the signs for time limits and fees. Without a car, take tram route 58 to Stop 26 Melbourne Zoo.
Is Melbourne Zoo wheelchair-accessible?
Yes — all paths are sealed and gradients are gentle. Wheelchairs can be hired; photo ID is required and booking ahead is recommended. Companion Card holders are free with their cardholder. Accessible parking and toilets throughout the zoo.
Plan your visit
Melbourne Zoo is a top pick for any Melbourne itinerary, especially for families and animal lovers. Combine it with nearby attractions like the Melbourne Museum in Carlton, or Queen Victoria Market for a North Melbourne day. For more family ideas, see our complete Melbourne with kids guide and our free family activities guide.