Werribee Open Range Zoo

Just a 30-minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Werribee Open Range Zoo offers an immersive African safari experience on the outskirts of Victoria’s volcanic plains. This spacious zoo lets you come face-to-face with rhinos, giraffes, zebras and cheetahs roaming across wide-open savannahs, all while learning about conservation efforts. It’s a perfect family-friendly stop that combines wildlife encounters with a relaxed picnic atmosphere.

Highlights & What to See

• Safari Bus Tour – Hop on the open-sided bus for a guided 40-minute drive through the main African savannah; you’ll see rhinos, giraffes, antelopes and ostriches up close.
• Walking Trails – Explore the Australian and African walking trails, including the ‘Pula Reserve’ where meerkats and lemurs entertain.
• Gorilla Rainforest – A lush indoor habitat housing a troop of western lowland gorillas; watch them forage and play.
• Lions on the Savannah – The African lion pride often lounges on rocky outcrops – keep your camera ready.
• Werribee River Trail – A peaceful walk along the river, home to kangaroos, wallabies and birdlife.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 3–4 hours here, which comfortably covers the safari bus tour, a walking loop, and a picnic or café lunch. Arrive early (the zoo opens at 9am) to beat the crowds and catch animals at their most active. If you have a full day, combine it with a morning at the historic Werribee Mansion or a wine tasting in the nearby Werribee Park precinct.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Sovereign Hill – A living-history gold-mining town in Ballarat, about 1 hour north-west; perfect for a full-day trip.
• Werribee Mansion & Formal Gardens – A 19th-century Italianate mansion with beautiful gardens, right next to the zoo.
• You Yangs Regional Park – Granite peaks offering hiking and mountain biking, 20 minutes west.
• Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula – Coastal city with waterfront dining and wineries, 30 minutes south.
• Great Ocean Road – Start your iconic road trip at Torquay, 45 minutes south-west.

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