Updated on May 21st, 2023

During my trip to Australia in September 2019, I got few days to explore Melbourne, although I visit this beautiful city almost every year. This time, I attended some family functions; hence, it was a gathering of family and friends. One day I planned to visit Werribee Open Range Zoo with family members.

Spread over 225 hectares, it is an African-themed zoological park. It is on the Werribee River, about 32 kilometres in southwest Melbourne. We spent an almost full day with several species of animals, birds and experienced a never forgettable moment there.

Plan Trip with Family & Friends

This tour can be more fun-filled if you visit with family, friends, and especially kids. We enjoyed watching wildlife, including different species of animals like camels, zebras, crocodiles, horses, waterbuck, giraffe, ostrich, rhinoceros, and so many others. Because of its size and variety, this place promises you an entire day packed with many activities.

Off Road Safari at Werribee Zoo

At Werribee Zoo, visitors can book various ‘specialty’ tours, including the Off-road Safari, and have close encounters with gorillas, giraffes, and ostriches. With this tour, you can experience animals’ natural habitats; live commentary makes you more aware of wildlife. On this safari, you pass through well-maintained grasslands and natural forest surroundings. When Safari stops, you sneak a peep into the lives of different animals; you feel amazing when the giraffe touches the window of Safari, and you touch and even feed them.

Road Safari tour takes you off-road and up close to the animals, creating a more intimate and exceptional experience. You get opportunities to stop, observe, ask questions to your guide, and capture the perfect photograph; it’s nothing less than a true African safari.

A day at Werribee Open Zoo gives you wonderful experiences about the lives of so many wild animals, like lions, hippopotamus, Kulinda, and cheetah. The Gorillas encounter is one of the largest in the world and allows you to feed and interact with mammals. The Texas Longhorns cattle alongside zebra make grassland look more amazing, and it reminds you of African wildlife more lively.

Feeding giraffes can be a wonderful experience

Another wonderful experience that you can have with your kids is feeding giraffes at the Werribee Zoo while you see eye-to-eye with one of the tallest animals in the world. There are plenty of giraffes, so everybody easily sees them closely. Normally, they bend their long necks over the fence, and you can even touch them, as they are so friendly.

Other attractions nearby

Other attractions near Werribee Zoo are Werribee Park Mansion and State Rose Garden. Thomas Chirnside, built between 1874 in the Italianate style mansion from Scotland and his brother Andrew Chirnside. Nowadays, it is converted into the five-star Mansion Hotel & Spa, also named the ‘Most Romantic Hotel in Australia.’ The mansion has several rooms open to the public, including the billiards rooms, main bedrooms, reception rooms, and the kitchen. In the surrounding mansion, a State Rose Garden is having 5000 roses blooming. You can plan and enjoy a picnic or explore the gardens.

Carry some eatables

As you will be there for almost an entire day, you must carry some eatables or fruit, but if you forget, don’t worry about lunch. There is a cafe that has an excellent list of scrumptious food on its menu. The menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, steaks, etc. You can also order a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. Enjoy your meal and drinks with wildlife animals in lush green grassland.

Werribee Open Range Zoo tickets

You need to purchase entry tickets to visit Werribee Zoo. You can buy tickets at the counter, but it is safe to buy tickets online to avoid waiting in long lines. We also recommended opting for a guided tour pass to learn more about the zoo’s various animals and their habitats. If you’re planning to visit during the weekend, then having an entry ticket at hand is the best way to make the most of your tour.

Must visit while you are in Melbourne

This time, when you visit Melbourne, you must book a Werribee Open Range Zoo Tour with Wildlife Tours Australia and experience the grassland wildlife. You will surely get a lifetime experience of grassland full of savanna-like African environment.