THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Experience an African-style safari minutes from Melbourne. This 556-acre open-range zoo mixes a 40-minute bus safari with walkable exhibits — great for families and wildlife fans alike.
Experience an African-style safari minutes from Melbourne. This 556-acre open-range zoo mixes a 40-minute bus safari with walkable exhibits — great for families and wildlife fans alike.
The air on the savannah drives a slow rhythm across open grasslands as giraffes lift their heads and a hippo bellows from a shaded wetland — this is Werribee Open Range Zoo, an African-style safari a short drive from Melbourne. You begin on a 40-minute bus safari that moves through wide paddocks where zebras, antelope and rhinos graze with the casual authority of animals used to space. On foot, paths lead to one of Australia’s largest gorilla exhibits and viewing platforms that put you level with a pride of lions resting in the grass.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Zoos Victoria · Werribee, Victoria
The air on the savannah drives a slow rhythm across open grasslands as giraffes lift their heads and a hippo bellows from a shaded wetland — this is Werribee Open Range Zoo, an African-style safari a short drive from Melbourne. You begin on a 40-minute bus safari that moves through wide paddocks where zebras, antelope and rhinos graze with the casual authority of animals used to space. On foot, paths lead to one of Australia’s largest gorilla exhibits and viewing platforms that put you level with a pride of lions resting in the grass.
Opened in the 1980s as part of Melbourne Zoo’s outreach, Werribee was modeled on East African reserves and designed for spacious enclosures rather than cramped display pens. The geology here is flat basalt plain — broad, fertile country that supports wetlands and grasslands — and the site’s design mirrors that openness. The zoo balances family-friendly programming with conservation: daily keeper talks cover species behavior and breeding programs that help threatened animals.
Practical notes: expect a mix of bus and walking, plan roughly three hours, and follow keeper guidance around large mammals. Wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection; buses can be clouded with dust on dry days. Photography is encouraged but respect barriers and never cross them. For quieter viewing, time your visit mid-morning or late afternoon when animals are most active. The zoo’s layout rewards slow pacing — sit at the hippo wetlands, watch giraffes feed, and let the landscape's quiet push your attention back to the animals.
easy.
3 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels; expect short walks between exhibits and some standing at viewing platforms.
Plan about three hours to complete the bus safari and visit the main exhibits, longer if you attend multiple keeper presentations.
Yes — general admission includes the 40-minute bus safari that travels through the open-range paddocks.
Yes — most surfaces, viewing platforms and transportation options are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible; contact the zoo for specific assistance needs.
You can bring a picnic to designated areas but feeding animals is strictly prohibited to protect their health and the habitat.
Established as an open-range extension of Melbourne Zoo in the 1980s, Werribee was developed to replicate African plains and support breeding and conservation programs.
The zoo participates in international breeding programs and local habitat restoration; visitors help by following rules and supporting conservation initiatives.
Zoos Victoria operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The air on the savannah drives a slow rhythm across open grasslands as giraffes lift their heads and a hippo bellows from a shaded wetland — this is Werribee Open Range Zoo, an African-style safari a short drive from Melbourne. You begin on a 40-minute bus safari that moves through wide paddocks where zebras, antelope and rhinos graze with the casual authority of animals used to space. On foot, paths lead to one of Australia’s largest gorilla exhibits and viewing platforms that put you level with a pride of lions resting in the grass.
The air on the savannah drives a slow rhythm across open grasslands as giraffes lift their heads and a hippo bellows from a shaded wetland — this is Werribee Open Range Zoo, an African-style safari a short drive from Melbourne. You begin on a 40-minute bus safari that moves through wide paddocks where zebras, antelope and rhinos graze with the casual authority of animals used to space. On foot, paths lead to one of Australia’s largest gorilla exhibits and viewing platforms that put you level with a pride of lions resting in the grass.
Opened in the 1980s as part of Melbourne Zoo’s outreach, Werribee was modeled on East African reserves and designed for spacious enclosures rather than cramped display pens. The geology here is flat basalt plain — broad, fertile country that supports wetlands and grasslands — and the site’s design mirrors that openness. The zoo balances family-friendly programming with conservation: daily keeper talks cover species behavior and breeding programs that help threatened animals.
Practical notes: expect a mix of bus and walking, plan roughly three hours, and follow keeper guidance around large mammals. Wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection; buses can be clouded with dust on dry days. Photography is encouraged but respect barriers and never cross them. For quieter viewing, time your visit mid-morning or late afternoon when animals are most active. The zoo’s layout rewards slow pacing — sit at the hippo wetlands, watch giraffes feed, and let the landscape's quiet push your attention back to the animals.