Werribee Open Range Zoo is the closest thing Melbourne has to a proper safari. Giraffes, zebras and rhinos roam across 225 hectares of open savannah, and you glide past them on a bus with a guide telling you all about it. It’s about 30 minutes from the CBD, it works for toddlers through to tweens, and it’s one of those days out where the kids fall asleep in the car on the way home.
This guide covers what to see, what to know before you go and how we tackle the day so we skip the queues and save everyone’s legs.
Werribee Open Range Zoo: Practical info at a glance
Address: K Road, Werribee South VIC 3030
Open: 9am–5pm every day of the year. Last entry is 3.30pm.
Getting there: It’s about a 30-minute drive from the CBD via the Princes Freeway. Take the Werribee South exit and follow the signs to K Road. By public transport, catch the Werribee train line to Werribee Station, then hop on Bus 439 Werribee South, which stops at the zoo.
Parking: Free on-site. On busy days and school holidays, parking attendants will guide you in, so expect a queue at the entrance if you arrive late.
Entry: Adults from $58. Children 4–15 are $29 on weekdays, and children 0–3 are always free. Everyone needs a pre-booked ticket, including kids on free days.
Top reasons to visit Werribee Open Range Zoo with kids
1. The safari bus is included, and it’s the highlight
The 40-minute Safari Bus tour is included in your entry, and it’s the reason most families come. You roll through the grasslands of Africa, Asia and North America with live commentary from a guide, spotting giraffes, rhinos, zebras, bison, ostriches and the critically endangered Asian wild horse. The animals wander right up to the bus, which is a big hit with kids (and adults).
If you have little ones, the Junior Safari Bus is a gem. It runs weekdays outside school and public holidays at 9.50am, goes for 30 minutes, and has music and kid-friendly commentary.
It’s for ages 0–6, free, and can’t be booked. Just tell the staff at the gate you’d like to go, as places are limited to 142 people a day.
2. Kids under 16 get in free on weekends and holidays
Children 4–15 enter free on weekends, Victorian school holidays and public holidays. That means a family of two adults and two kids pays from around $116 on a weekend, compared with about $174 on a weekday. It’s one of the best family-price deals in Melbourne.
3. There are play spaces everywhere
The zoo has been generous with play areas, so there’s always somewhere to burn off energy.
- Hippo Beach has water play, a giant sandpit and hammock swings, with a cafe close by.
- Village Kids is a proper playground with swings, slides and monkey bars.
- Ranger Kids is an indoor space with a giant helicopter, a sensory wall and a tortoise enclosure, so it’s handy for rainy days or a bit of shade.
You’ll also find smaller play zones along the trails, including a meerkat digging zone, a monkey rope course and a hippo play trail.
4. Animal talks are included, and you can go closer
Keeper talks run through the day and are included with your entry. They’re a great way to keep school-aged kids engaged, as they’ll happily listen to a keeper explain something about a lion or a meerkat that they’d skip on a sign.
If your family wants to go further, the Wild Encounters offer a closer, hands-on experience with the animals.
5. It’s a different kind of zoo day
There are no glass panels or tight enclosures here. Big open spaces, long sightlines and animals that seem completely at home make it feel like a mini holiday.
And if you’d like to see it in a different light, the Sunset Safari is a lovely way to experience the zoo in the evening.
What not to miss
6. The Elephant Trail
The elephants are the newest star attraction, and the herd now lives in a huge 21-hectare habitat. There are so many of them that they’re easy to spot, and you can happily watch them for a good while. Our elephant guide has all the details.
7. The lions
Seeing a pride of lions up close always stops the kids in their tracks. It’s worth pausing here rather than rushing past, as the lions are often stretched out just metres from the viewing area.
8. The gorillas
Werribee’s gorilla exhibit is one of the largest in the world, and the family group has plenty of space to roam. Older kids tend to stay much longer than you’d expect.
9. The hippos
Werribee’s hippos live in a wetland home, and the viewing area is perfectly placed for a good look. The family often spends time here, and it pairs nicely with a stop at Hippo Beach.
10. The meerkats
Meerkats are always a crowd-pleaser with little kids, and there’s a sandy play zone right beside them so children can dig like meerkats do.
11. The Australian Trail
This walk through Australian grasslands is where you’ll find kangaroos, emus, brolgas and koalas. It’s a gentle, easy-going section that works well for younger kids and tired legs.
Tips for visiting Werribee Open Range Zoo with kids
12. Book your tickets before you go
Everyone needs a pre-booked ticket, including kids on free-entry days, so sort it before you leave home.
13. Allow four to five hours
A full visit takes around four to five hours once you add the safari bus, a keeper talk or two, lunch and a play stop. Entry closes at 3.30pm, so don’t leave it late.
14. Pack for the outdoors
It’s an open-range zoo, so bring sunscreen, hats and water, plus a jumper in cooler months. There’s plenty of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must.
15. Bring lunch or buy it on site
The cafes have plenty of kid-friendly options, and sushi is a favourite with our kids. It’s tasty and not too pricey. If you’d rather bring your own, there are lots of nice spots for a picnic on the lawns and at picnic tables around the zoo.
Your questions answered
Are there elephants at Werribee Open Range Zoo?
Yes! The Asian elephant herd moved here from Melbourne Zoo in February 2025 and now lives on the Elephant Trail. If elephants are on your family’s wish list, Werribee is the place to see them.
Is Werribee Open Range Zoo pram-friendly?
Yes. The zoo is stroller and wheelchair accessible, with easy-to-follow pathways and accessible parking near the main entrance. The safari bus is also wheelchair accessible.
What’s the best age for Werribee Open Range Zoo?
It works for the whole 0–12 range. Babies and toddlers love the Junior Safari Bus and the playgrounds, while 3–8 year olds get plenty out of the meerkats and Ranger Kids. Older kids tend to enjoy the keeper talks, the lions and the gorillas most.
Werribee or Melbourne Zoo: which one should we choose?
They’re quite different days out. Melbourne Zoo is compact and walkable, with lots of close-up encounters. Werribee is more spread out, with open savannah, a safari bus and the elephants. Many families end up doing both.
How to plan your Werribee Open Range Zoo day
Arrive at 9am when the gates open and head straight to the Safari Bus. The first bus of the day leaves at 9.30am, and going first means you beat the long lines that build later in the morning.
Head to the elephants next. There’s a lot of walking involved, so we tackle this while everyone’s fresh. There’s a cafe and toilets once you reach the Elephant Trail, which makes it a good place to settle in for morning snacks. The full walking trail around the enclosure takes around 60 minutes, which we usually don’t have time for. Instead, we sit near the main entrance or wander a little of the way. The herd is big, so it’s easy to spot the elephants and watch them for a while.
Return to the other side of the zoo for lunch. Sushi is our kids’ favourite, or you can settle in with a packed picnic on the lawns or at a picnic table. There are lots of lovely spots to stop.
Finish with a play stop and the other trails. Let the kids loose on a playground, then explore the remaining trails at a relaxed pace.
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