Big dinosaurs are stomping back into Melbourne’s zoos these Autumn School Holidays!
Dinos at the Zoo returns from April, bringing roaring, moving and seriously impressive prehistoric creatures to Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo. This is one of our favourite events, as it works just as well for dino-obsessed toddlers as it does for older kids who want something a little more epic.
Families can see the dinosaurs as part of normal zoo entry from 3 April – 12 July 2026. Don’t forget to book your tickets before visiting, in case the allocated tickets for the day run out.
***Due to some shipping and customs delays, Dinos at the Zoos at Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary will not be open over the Easter long weekend. They will likely be here in early April but the actual date is to be confirmed.
Dinos at the Zoos at Melbourne Zoo is ready to go from Friday 3 April 2026.
The team is working behind the scenes to make sure everything is safely in place and ready to go – trust us, it’ll be well worth the wait.
Dinos at the Zoo
At Dinos at the Zoo, visitors can get up close to life-like, roaring and moving animatronic dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes.
Along the trail meet 14 life-size dinosaurs come to life. You’ll see a T-rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops and more!
The big dinosaurs are particularly impressive, reaching high up into the eucalyptus forest.
The dinosaurs don’t wake up until 10am each morning, so between 9 and 10am each day, the docile dinosaurs are sleeping peacefully, making it the perfect time for sound sensitive visitors.
Within the trail, there are activities including sandpits where you can help dig out fossils with brushes and scoops.
Dinosaur Trails
Dinos at the Zoo is very well sign-posted so you should be able to find it easily.
The zoo trails run as a loop and is fully accessible for prams and wheelchairs.
At Werribee, the last part is an uphill climb but there is a separate accessible path to get back to the exit.
The dinosaur experience is included in the zoo’s general entry fee. Last entry to Dinos at the Zoo is 4pm each day.
Visit All Three Melbourne Zoos
Dinosaurs are appearing at Zoos Victoria’s three properties: Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. See them all before the creatures disappear (again)!
For even more fun, Dinos After Dark is an illuminated evening experience combining dinosaurs with all sorts of glow-in-the-dark fun. Like fire performances, face painting, fire pits for marshmallow roasting, a glow zone, dance floor and much more.
Tips for visiting Dinos at the Zoo
- Dinos at the Zoo will run at all three Victoria Zoos from 3 April to 12 July 2026;
- See the animatronic dinosaurs as part of normal zoo entry;
- Don’t forget to book your tickets before visiting, book online here for: Werribee Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary;
- Some younger children might find it a bit scary, so parental guidance is key;
- For children that may be scared, we recommend giving the dinosaurs names so they seem more friendly. Hello, Terry the T-Rex!
- While the zoos are all wheelchair and pram accessible, be aware that there is some uneven ground in the Dino experience;
- Stop at Ranger Kids for indoor play, and Hippo Beach for a splash, while at Werribee Zoo;
- Enjoy Lost Sanctuary and Casaurina Forest Nature Play Space while at Healesville Sanctuary; and
- Don’t miss Keeper Kids and the Lion Gorge while at Melbourne Zoo.
More dinosaur experiences in Melbourne
Check out more things to do at Werribee Zoo including Wild Encounters, Hippo Beach, Ranger Kids and Village Kids playground
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