Melbourne Zoo Parkville Melbourne Zoological Gardens

Melbourne Zoological Gardens

Image of Melbourne Zoo Lion A day at the Melbourne Zoo is one of the most satisfying moments in time, as the zoo has a fabulous collection of animals on display from all points of the world, that not only will fascinate all, you will simply fall in love with the manner in which the zoo management and staff has upgraded the enclosures, so that each animal is not only comfortable, the visitor has the best possible viewing area to see each animal in as close as their natural habitat as possible.

Opened in 1862, Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia, with a rich and diverse history. From humble beginnings, with just a few animals to display, the zoo now boasts over 320 different species including African lions, endangered lowland gorillas, tigers, orangutans, elephants and of course kangaroos, koalas and wombats.

Take a look at our zoo photos and read our thoughts on displays and enclosures that we regard as must see areas of Melbourne Zoo. We also suggest that you pick up an information brochure and zoo map at the entry gates which allow you to plan your way around the zoo grounds and learn of the feeding times for each animal. Just prior to individual animal feeding is best viewing times, where you see the animals moving and behaving naturally.

Image of Male Orangutan of the Melbourne Zoo. It is advisable to plan to spend at least 4 hours at the zoo, with an all day visit the most preferred option. The Melbourne Zoo is sited on it's original birth place at Royal Park, just a short 4 kilometers from the city centre. There is ample free car parking at both entrances with both trams and trains just a short walk from the bottom entrance.

If time is short, make sure you visit the upgraded African Rainforest area, which features gorillas and many monkey species, the fabulous open display area for the lions and neighboring African Wild Dogs, the amazing tropical Butterfly House, the tigers, elephants and orangutans There is so much to see at the Melbourne Zoo it really is almost impossible to visit all the displays in the one day, so always plan for a return journey when time permits.

Melbourne Zoo Address
Elliot Avenue Parkville, Victoria

Melbourne Zoo Entry Hours
9.00am to 4.30pm Weekdays
9.00am to 5.00pm Weekends
(Selected twilight times apply during summer.)

How to get to Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Trains run from all stations to Royal Park Station on the Upfield line.
Tram 55 runs from William Street every day of the week.
Elizabeth St. tram to North Coburg stops just 2 streets from the zoo in Royal Parade Parkville, near the old Carlton Football Ground.

Below is a collection of animal photos taken at the Melbourne Zoo, Parkville, over a period of a few years. You can start the slideshow by clicking the extreme right hand arrow on the image display toolbar.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer