The Best Zoos in Victoria for a Family Fun Day

Heading to one of the many fantastic zoos in Victoria is the perfect way to spend some quality time with the kids (and burn some of their never-ending energy too!). The Victoria zoos are great fun, suitable for all ages and offer plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with the animals. Whether you're looking for a bit of Australiana, looking to transport yourself to the plains of Africa or discover the animals under the sea, there is a zoo Victoria option for you!

We've got everything you need to know about Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Moonlit Sanctuary and the SEALife Acquarium!

Werribee Open Range Zoo gives you an authentic taste of the African Savannah with guided safari bus tours included in your ticket. There are so many sights to explore here, that you’ll be occupied for the whole day. 

If you want to see lions, hippos, giraffes, rhinos and other African animals up close and personal hop on the safari tour bus. If Aussie favourites like kangaroos and koalas are more your jam, explore the Australian Journey Grasslands at your own pace. 

Yes, absolutely everyone, including Zoo Members and babies, needs to have a pre-booked Werribee Zoo ticket before you arrive at the zoo. No tickets will be available at the gate. 

As per the current Victorian guidelines, everyone aged 12 and above will be required to carry a fitted face mask while at the zoo, unless you have a valid medical exemption. Face masks must be worn on the safari bus at Werribee Open Range Zoo too.

Remember to leave a 1.5m space between yourself and other groups.

One of the BEST things about Werribee Zoo is just how many animal encounters there are on offer! The encounters each have different times, costs, group sizes and availability so take a look at the website to help you decide!

All zoos in Victoria are currently cashless. If you’re keen for some retail therapy at the Zoo Shop or to buy some food and drink, please make sure you have a credit or debit card handy.

Werribee Zoo is open 9 am to 5 pm daily (last entry 3:30pm).

Werribee Zoo's address is K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030

Melbourne Zoo brings you the best of both land and sea animals all in one place. Discover penguins, seals and other sea creatures off from the ocean at the Wild Sea exhibition. If land animals are more your thing, you can come across the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan and Tiger, and learn how the zoo is helping conservation efforts.

Melbourne Zoo also offers late-night sessions from 3-8 pm if you’d like to see what the zoo inhabitants get up to after hours. And for a limited time, you can keep the kiddies busy with the all-new Dino lab. This program gives kids a taste of the past with animatronic dinosaurs and the chance to become a mini-archeologist at the Dino Dig. So cool!

Yes, as with Werribee Zoo absolutely everyone, including Zoo Members and babies, needs to have a pre-booked zoo ticket before you arrive at the zoo. You will not be able to book tickets at the gate. 

As per the current Victorian guidelines, everyone aged 12 and above will be required to carry a fitted face mask while at the zoo unless you have a valid medical exemption.

And remember to leave a 1.5m space between yourself and other groups!

There are lots of super informative animal encounters on offer at Melbourne Zoo at the moment, including close-up encounters, behind the scenes tours and guided tours. It's best to check the website as quite a few of their normal encounters have been cancelled until further notice, but they are adding new ones to the website all the time. The encounters each have different times, costs, group sizes and availability so take a look at the website to help you decide!

All zoos in Victoria are currently cashless. If you’re keen for some retail therapy at the Zoo Shop or to buy some food and drink, please make sure you have a credit or debit card on you.

The Melbourne Zoo is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily. 

The Melbourne Zoo is on Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052.

Getting to Melbourne Zoo by public transport is the easiest, most convenient and eco-friendly way to go!

At Healesville Sanctuary venture onto the Main Track where you’ll find a variety of reptiles and kangaroos in their natural forest habitat. Or perhaps you want to visit Dingo Country, home to the dingo, now a threatened species in the wild. Here you can get up close with this Aussie icon and learn about its complex history in Australia. 

Also included in a general admission ticket is the amazing Spirits of the Sky Show. Experience Australia’s majestic birds of prey in action as they show off their flying and foraging skills in the flight arena. The Wedge-tailed Eagle and the Black-breasted Buzzard are just a few of the birds on display. 

We're really starting to ramble here - bit it's important! Yes, absolutely everyone, including Zoo Members and babies, needs to have a pre-booked zoo ticket before you arrive at the zoo. You will not be able to book tickets at the gate. 

As per the current Victorian guidelines, everyone aged 12 and above will be required to carry a fitted face mask while at the zoo, unless you have a valid medical exemption.

Remember to leave a 1.5m space between yourself and other groups.

Whether you want a close-up experience with your favourite animal or a chance to go behind the scenes and meet the keepers, an animal encounter puts you in the front row! It's best to check the website as quite a few of their normal encounters have been cancelled until further notice, but they are adding new ones to the website all the time. The encounters each have different times, costs, group sizes and availability so take a look at the website to help you decide!

All zoos in Victoria are currently cashless. If you’re keen for some retail therapy at the Zoo Shop or to buy some food and drink, please make sure you have a credit or debit card on you.

Healesville Sanctuary is open 9am - 5pm daily.

Healesville Sanctuary is on Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville VIC 3777

While you’re visiting Melbourne’s best zoos, why not go underwater and have a look at the aquatic creatures at SEA LIFE Aquarium?

Lose yourself (not the kids!) exploring underwater exhibits across twelve themed zones from shark spotting at Shipwreck Explorer to crocodile watching at the Croc Lair. Here you’ll find one of the world’s biggest saltwater crocodiles, Pinjarra. Measuring in at over FIVE metres and weighing 750kg, Pinjarra, the 55-year-old male Saltwater Crocodile is a spectacular sight to behold!

Also don’t miss out on the daily animal talks and feedings featuring the new Gentoo penguins at the Penguin playground! 

While it’s not mandatory, it’s highly recommended to book online to guarantee your spot due to social distancing requirements. Buying tickets at the gate may result in you and your family missing out. 

Everyone aged 12 and above will be required to carry a fitted face mask while at the aquarium unless you have a valid medical exemption. Face masks must be worn when inside. 

Also please, remember to leave a 1.5m space between yourself and other groups.

There are a couple of AMAZING experiences available at the aquarium inn Melbourne.

Diving with sharks at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is an exhilarating experience. You are guaranteed an underwater encounter with the oceans top predator! Never scuba-dived before? No problem - this experience is suitable for beginners all the way up to the most experienced divers.

A 45-minute tour of the icy wonderland where the King and Gentoo penguins live. During your penguin encounter, you'll join keepers on-the-ice for a playful enrichment session and go behind-the-scenes to see how they care for the colony.

For more info on these experiences, check out the website.

The aquarium is currently operating cashless. If you’re keen for some retail therapy at the gift shop or if you’re feeling peckish, please make sure you have a credit or debit card on you.

What are the Melbourne SEA LIFE Aquarium opening hours? 

Melbourne SEA LIFE Aquarium is open from 10am to 5pm from Thursday to Monday.

The aquarium is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Getting SEA LIFE Melbourne is easy! It’s located in the heart of the CBD on the corner of Flinders Street and King Street, opposite the Crown Entertainment Complex. 

The address is King St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Moonlit Sanctuary is Melbourne’s award-winning wildlife park. With over 70 species of Australian wildlife, you’ll be occupied for the whole day. 

Explore the bush-land while feeding kangaroos and wallabies, petting friendly koalas and encountering many other animals including endangered species like the dingo. 

Due to the current Covid-19 safety restrictions, all visitors, including membership cardholders, are required to purchase tickets online and attend the Sanctuary at the time and date they select.

Everyone aged 12 and above will be required to carry a fitted face mask while at the Sanctuary unless you have a valid medical exemption. Face masks must be worn when inside. 

Also please, remember to leave a 1.5m space between yourself and other groups.

With social distancing restrictions in place, you can still enjoy getting close-up to some of the animals at Moonlit Sanctuary. You can cuddle up to a koala, play with the dingoes, hold an owl or stroke a wombat, or experience a private tour with behind-the-scenes access. The encounters each have different times, costs, group sizes and availability so take a look at the website to help you decide!

The Moonlit Sanctuary is currently operating cashless. If you’re keen for some retail therapy at the gift shop or if you’re feeling peckish, please make sure you have a credit or debit card on you.

What are the Moonlit Sanctuary opening hours? 

Daytime admission

9:00 am – 4:00 pm weekends and public holidays

9:30 am – 4:00 pm weekdays

Last entry is at 3:00 pm

Night tours are also available.

Moonlit Sanctuary is only 50 minutes south-east of central Melbourne, at the top of the Mornington Peninsula, and on the way to the Penguins on Phillip Island.

Address: 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale

Victoria's zoos and animal encounters are world class. The kids will love the interactive and entertaining day out, and you can rest assured - they'll definitely learn a thing or two as well!