I've come to love Melbourne Zoo after being a member for a year. I'll start with the literal elephant in the room - there's always a hint of sadness to see animals in any type of enclosure, particularly the likes of the tigers. But Zoos Victoria are doing great things for conservation, and the former orangutan cage is a reminder of how things have improved - and hopefully how they'll continue to improve in future. The elephants, by the way, will soon be going to Werribee, which I think is a fantastic move. Some of my family's favourite things to see are the meerkats (that whole area is so well designed for kids), everything in Wild Sea (the seals and penguins are often out of view but so be it), and the reptiles, gorillas, giraffes and lions. The zoo can be a hectic and even unpleasant place in the school holidays or when there's school excursions (especially the sweary older kids), but we've still enjoyed lots of peaceful experiences with the zoo animals over the last year. The staff members, including in the shops, have also invariably been lovely and good with kids - some have been extremely lovely. Parking has usually been no problem on weekdays, and it's easy to pay using the EasyPark app. The only parking trouble we had was on one busy day in the school holidays, when even the overflow parking areas were getting full and communication wasn't great. Royal Park station has also been very convenient when we've caught the train - just keep an eye on the PTV app to avoid a wait of up to 20 minutes for the next train to the city, and allow up to 5 minutes to walk from the zoo exit to the station. I'd highly recommend becoming a member if you might visit any of the zoos (Victorian and some interstate) three times or more in a year. I've also been to a couple of corporate functions at Melbourne Zoo this year and they were nicely done.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

New to Victoria, so we bought some zoo memberships ahead of time as it was honestly extremely reasonably priced, and we are stoked we can try to come as often as possible + a few other sanctuaries too. We arrived at 9:15am and left by 2pm a solid time to look around with our daughter. The first hour we spent wondering if there were any animals in the zoo at all, we saw more staff gardening than animals. It was becoming a cross off the map of what we visited but couldn’t see. Platypus no where to be seen, otters no where to be seen, lions not in their enclosure but in cages out the back, large tortoise missing in action, elephants took like 3 hours to leave the barn to the exhibit, the seal unless you go to the show is a bit disappointing, occasionally you see one come up to the surface, shame there isn’t an underground part to see him/her swimming around, we saw 1 penguin in the water, I realise it’s a zoo and animals could be sleeping, and I appreciate the animals getting their daily checkups etc. Was extremely packed for a cold Monday, never seen so many school kids, I tend to agree with a few comments below, none of the animals looked overly happy to be there, I hope today was just an off day in general, and hope to change my review to a better score. The highlight was the butterfly house, a warm place to get out of the cold, and so many unique butterflies and lots of smiles from people in there. Also we wanted to buy coffee beans in support of the zoo, but honestly it had to be one of the worst coffees I’ve ever tried. Please get a better coffee roaster collaboration.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Very hard to express what I feel, entry fee is $45AD , also I'm very disappointed and embarrassed with the state of the public toilets for example,as they are in need of some urgent renovations or at least one mejor deep clean, some of the walking path haven't received a sweep in weeks, the eating areas need pressure washing at least , big cats sleep all day , only one orangutan on display, gorilla was a no show... I could keep going on and on and I could also compare it with some so called third world country ones. My last time visiting Melbourne zoo was a few years ago and I can't think of any improvements. Then some little Penguins , a Seal and some baby elephant like little heroes put on a show to save the day and send us home somehow content. I have written hundreds of reviews on maps, but this one really hurt , how can Melbourne put such a great show when it comes to Sport or the arts but shows a very tired Zoo to, not just Victorians but interstate and international visitors . Not happy Dan !!!( I know he just left but it is still his fault)
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Our family always have a great time at the zoo but more so from the atmosphere being in proximity to lots of different animals than the location itself here. We usually spend 4-5 hours on a Saturday at any given visit. There are always many animals not in sight, mostly sleeping or very far away so it can be disappointing if kids have been excited to see them. I'm not sure how much it can be helped though as you also don't want to disrupt how the animals naturally behave. The food options need improvement. Various outlets around the zoo which is great but small servings vs high prices. We prefer to pack our own food for this reason but it can be tiresome lugging food around all day for a whole family. Positives are the great open spaces for kids to run around, the carousel area is especially fun and recently we were able to enjoy our lunch break in one of the domes which was something different and exciting. The themed events that are run usually in Summer are also a fun experience for the family.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Strikes a very good balance between conservation and entertainment. The zoo is within walking distance of the CBD, and it's an enjoyable walk through the suburbs. It's also well served via the tram network. Very friendly staff and well laid out with a tremendous amount to see. It's a great day out for old and young, with plenty of toilets and places to eat and drink. I visited out of season and on a weekday (Monday, July), so it was busy, but far from crowded). Modern zoos have a difficult tightrope to balance between entertainment and conservation and Melbourne's Zoo does this well. It's great to see animals being well cared for and mostly happy in their confinement, including a couple of baby elephants. The large aviaries are excellent to walk through, yet no so spacious that you end up having to play hunt-the-animal in the enclosures. No zoo will ever be perfect, but this one must be high up on the list of good ones, and ones doing their best to make a difference in terms of education and values in conservation. The butterfly house is a must visit - tranquil, fragile beauty abounds.

Having not been to this Zoo since 2011, I was very excited to get here on my first visit to Melbourne from Hobart in 7 years. I found the layout rather confusing, and most exhibits you could barely see the animals but if you waited you'd catch a glimpse. Unfortunately a solid 1000+ school kids were there on the day I was there so they absolutely swarmed the place. It was distressing for me, let alone the animals, to have so much commotion. I counted at least 4 different school uniforms. Safe to say I rushed through the rest of the Zoo and left well before I expected to because the experience was spoiled. Frankly I'd much rather go to Tasmania Zoo for a more relaxing experience, especially once the elephants have left Melbourne in 2024. So I'd say this is my last visit to Melbourne Zoo, and I suggest to anyone thinking of going, call in advance and see how many school groups are booked in on the day you want to go.

Nice and clean. Overall good atmosphere and large variety of exhibits. Went on a Tuesday afternoon so there weren’t many food stalls open. It rained too so many animals were either sheltering or sleeping, so didn’t actually get to see much unfortunately. Was a bit disappointed that the aviary at the Australian Bush section didn’t have information about the species that we were seeing, only telling us about the habitat the sections were supposed to be. I wished they had quokkas, but that’s just a personal preference. As a first time visitor, the zoo kinda felt like a maze and it didn’t really have many directions or signages. Overall a pleasant experience, but unfortunately not very educational in terms of biodiversity/ecology. Appreciate the effort to educate on conservation and pollution though! Good for kids.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

This zoo is great. There's so many animals you probably won't see them all in one day. Most areas have a covered section so a bit of rain shouldn't stop you. I would encourage you to bring your own food though as the cafes are quite inconsistent in their operating hours plus they're mostly not located around places where you have animal views. Check out the free keeper talk times on their website before your visit for added value. Parents room are decent. Locker storage available - need credit card, between $5-$10 for the first 4 hours depending on size. Wheelchairs can be booked for free, need 48 hours notice. Parking is $2 for 5 hours, so it works out cheaper than public transport for most.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Pretty good, designated and well organized layout inside. Visitors can easily find the way to see all kinds of animals. Since it is semi-open space, you can feel the natural and primitive atmosphere by searching those animals. Too be honest, it is not easy to see lots of animals in close distance. Kids are so happy to take a look at those creatures. A good opportunity to teach and interact with kids in zoo. You can spend half day inside to explore what you want. However, sometimes some animals may hide, sleep or go anywhere so that they are not available when you visit. For me and kids, it is a wonderful experience to visit this historical zoo. Easy to take Trams or Metro trains here. Enjoy.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
No

We had a great time. We stayed at the zoo for 4hours. In that 4hrs we still didn’t get around to seeing the whole zoo lol that could be because I had two little ones. Can be a lot of walking for them. Would definitely suggest taking one of the trailers (prams). The location is beautiful and is a great place for the kids to run around and tire themselves out. I love the playground spaces and lunch areas. I do wish there was more hot foods there though. There was only one stand open while we were there and it was to busy. I’d definitely pack a bigger lunch to stay longer next time. Last thing I’d suggest buying a year pass as it’s pretty much the same cost as a one day entry.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Bitter sweet visit ….Melbourne Zoo is absolutely a beautiful Zoo to walk around! Would indeed recommend morning visits (10-2pm). Plenty of carpark area. Lots of picnic areas, cafes & seatings in-between enclosures. Friendly staff & volunteers. Reasonable cafe prices …. Packed snacks from home but still found myself at the cafe ☕️ gift shop was also reasonable with prices but then again…I get a discount as a zoo member! Wear comfy shoes & enjoy Bitter sweet visit…but I can’t see myself running in the jungle to see all these beautiful animals. FYI - I think they only sell vegan…I got a weird look from cafe staff when I asked if the wrap was vegan ….. She said, everything here is vegetarian…. I didn’t know’ it’s a ZOO! FML

Visited Melbourne Zoo from 11 am to 4 pm. Affordable parking at $2 for 5 hours. Explored the park twice, taking about 2.5 hours each round—perfect for a 10k step day! Loved baboons, elephants, and seals, though lions were napping. Friendly staff readily available for assistance. Ample parking, but bring your own food for dietary needs due to a small cafe with limited options during off-peak hours. Despite that, it's a fantastic tourist attraction. Solo visit, but planning to return with family. Thank you, Melbourne Zoo, for a delightful day! Highly recommended for a memorable outing with a good mix of wildlife and friendly atmosphere.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Went to the zoo for the first time in years and absolutely loved it! My partner and I have been twice this year, first time it was raining so some of the animals weren’t out but it was still very enjoyable! It wasn’t busy either which was great. Second time it was clear weather so it was a bit more busy but so great to see all the animals out and about enjoying the sun only downside is it was busier so we avoided things like the butterfly house. We had a little snack whilst we were there and it was great to see that they have GF options! Definitely check it out if you haven’t been in awhile or even need something todo!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Fantastic zoo! Went here on a Tuesday and there was a fair bit of a crowd, but there was no wait to enter at all. Bought tickets on-site, staff were friendly and welcoming. Large variety of animals that look well cared for. Only issue was that some animals were moved to different enclosures, so we could not see them. However, we had to amazing opportunity to see the wombat while it was awake, so that made up for everything. Food at the cafes were filling and tasted great, would recommend for families and animal enthusiasts to come here
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

We had a fantastic day visiting Melbourne Zoo. We are zoo members so love visiting when we can. It wasn't too busy given it was a nice winter day. It was great to see the baby elephants out and about. The pygmy hippo was also very active which our kids loved. We rode on the carousel, which is always a highlight (although $3.50 per child extra). We arrived at around midday and packed a picnic. Parking was easy at this time of day as plenty of people are leaving for lunch and naps.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

I think the Melbourne zoo is a beautiful place for the family. The atmosphere is lovely, and the animals are delightful. Sometimes, it's sad when the enclosures are bare, but honestly, that can't be helped. I do feel entry is still a little steep despite children being free. I also feel that they could update some of the information and signs around to make it look more inviting for the younger ones to read. Overall, it's a beautiful place.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure

WOW! Melbourne zoo was amazing - cannot recommend this enough for adults and kids alike. You will definitely need a whole day here - there is so much to see and do and I highly recommend seeing any of the zoo keeper demonstrations. Only thing that I didn’t like were the prices at the cafe but if you bring your own food you can avoid it! Recommmend buying a membership as we have and can’t wait to come back again!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

There were numerous types of animals ranging from meerkats to lions. However, unfortunately when we went, a large portion of the zoo was closed due to maintenance. So it is important to go on their website prior to visiting to check for construction closures. There were also visible conservation efforts encouraged, as well as educational speakers to teach you about the animal behavior and ways to help these endangered species.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Love the experience of seeing animals here at the zoo - were very lucky with many close experiences on the day I went. When overcast and slightly drizzly, some animals will hide away though especially the primates. Being at the zoo pretty early on after opening allowed me and friends to see almost every single animal (except Hutan the Sumatran tiger), and seeing animals being fed around lunch. Definitely do recommend the free keepers talk and set times - short informational talks!

Melbourne Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world. It is home to over 3,000 animals from all over the globe, and it is committed to animal welfare and conservation. The zoo is located in Royal Park, which is a beautiful park in the heart of Melbourne. The zoo is easy to get to. The zoo offers a number of animal encounters that allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the zoo's residents. This is a great way to learn more about the animals and see them up close.

Hands down was such a cute surprise to see baby meerkats and baby elephants!! This zoo has a great layout and the exhibits allow you to get really close - especially the orangutans and lions. Pleasantly surprised there is a sushi restaurant and freshly made daily. We were lucky and found a keeper giving talks outside the scheduled times following training sessions with some of the animals which meant we saw a bit extra.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

Great place. You can find gorillas, giraffes, Kangaroos, Tiger, , Elephants. They are preserving a lot of soon to be extinct species. This is the 1st carbon neutral zoo in the entire world. Well maintained and observed regularly by volunteers, workers. They are taking good care of the animals inside. The gorilla rainforest was really very amazing then comes the kangaroo island. And yea the sea penguins were also nice.

Always a great day but food prices, especially drinks are out of control. $5 for one cup with no refill is ridiculous. Still, the staff are fantastic, the exhibits great (even if everything is covered in vast quantities of bird poop) & we loved the Lemur experience. Allow at least 6 hours to see everything and pack your own food & drinks.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Went here by myself and I quite enjoyed my time here. The zoo is nice and clean. Very well maintained as I can see. But almost all kiosk of food and drink were close because it’s weekday. The animals are beautiful! So sad I can’t see a lot of them either they were relocated to Weribee or just sleeping inside. Koala also facing backwards to sleep Lemurs are so cute and butterfly house is so warm✨

I loved this zoo. The enclosures were big and full of enrichment for the animals. The baby elephants were adorable! The giraffes were another highlight. The paths through the enclosures weren't too packed even on a midday weekend. Some of the animals were sleeping when I went, the lions, snow leopards and red pandas. If you love animals it's a must when you visit Melbourne.

We visited on a Monday so it wasn't crowded; although the drawback was that there were less food stalls open. Overall the zoo was extremely lovely and the staff were so friendly and helpful. The zoo itself was also gorgeous and clean. Favorites were the lemurs and butterfly exhibits!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Yearly memberships are the way to go, covering a heap of main zoos across the country. The zoo pass gives a small discount at lunch but isn’t accepted in the smaller outlets ‘drinks are a rip off and can’t top back up’. With a yearly zoo pass you can follow the baby elephants from Melbourne zoo to where they are going next ‘which is close to shadow fax winery’

At first, I thought AU$46 (adult) was a little bit pricy, but it was so worth it. I had a great time here to watch various animals and was very glad to see their good living environment compared to other zoos. They had 'Koala talk' at 11AM, and I was happy to be there.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

What a great day out for you and your family. As of 18/06/2023 on weekends and school holidays kids entry is free! The best way to visit the zoo is by becoming a member. Skip the lines and don't bother booking. Just rock up whenever you want. Not too mention entry into Helasville and Werribee open range zoo. Great day to see all the animals!

The whole day was fantastic, we had so much fun. Ventured into the park with 7 year old and 4 year old. We hadn’t seen all the animals and exhibits before the 4 year old was exhausted but it was so worth it. Would go again for sure anyway. Staff were fantastic Parking being locked in for 5hours kind of sucked but that’s the councils fault.

Fantastic way to spend a day! Love coming here and checking out all the amazing displays. Great for families and there is a large area for picnics or relaxing on the grass. One of my favourite places to come to relax and spend a day wandering around
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Short tram ride from the city centre! Easy redemption process at the entry counter. Despite it being spring and there being many animals hibernating or keeping warm from the cold, I managed to see the kangaroos and wombats! Zookeepers and staff were happy to help with directions and recommendations of which animals to best see.

fantastic zoo in Melbourne and definitely something I would go back again and again, especially with the zoo membership kids get in for free during the school holidays in Melbourne and on the weekend with the adults. we had a great time.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Went here last week, had an awesome time! We got in early on and the zoo was relatively busy but we were still able to navigate our way around easily and see most of the animals! The snow leopards and the reptiles were our favorites!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great experience, kids loved it. Everything comes off a main street so it's easy to navigate. Mornings are better so the cats are slightly more active. There is a clever orangutan who sits with a blanket on him. Cafes are decent.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Excellent place for kids for roaming around animals. The place is well maintained and they create natural habitat for animals , huge place , very nice. Me & my husband take zoo membership so we can visit soon.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

All of the Victorian zoos are very well maintained, and the animals look healthy. I would suggest bringing your won food as each zoo is a bit expensive. Don't forget there are special school holiday activities, so keep an eye out for what they do during that time. A good day out for the kids.

We love the zoo , arrived at 10ish and didn’t wait long to enter into the zoo. The gardens are very beautiful, abs even though it was school holidays we found we didn’t need to wait very long to get through different enclosures . We particularly enjoyed the giraffes and the butterfly house .

My first visit to Melbourne zoo,and enjoyed my visit.i was visiting from Qld . Loved that the animals were in natural enclosures . Loved the tree lined walkways and that the grounds were well kept .
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

I haven't been to the Melbourne Zoo in at least 10 years. It is really lovely. Big spaces, it is spread out with thoughtful exhibits that try to get the best outcome for the animals. Had a great day overall, saw all the animals we came to see. It's definitely worth a visit. More

Had a great time at this zoo! Purchased the ticket in advance on the day. It’s amazing that you can put your e ticket on wallet app. Very easy to show them at the entrance without any queues.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

A great experience with lots of native and non-native animals, for visitors and locals alike. Much improved in recent years. You’ll need 3-4 hrs to get around the whole zoo. Avoid weekends if you don’t want to be inundated with too many children and strollers.

We love coming to the zoo. It's always a fun day out. Staff are happy to chat to the children about the animals. It's clean and animals are in great sized enclosures.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Biggest fire pit I've seen, and there's plenty of firewood around. Should be one awesome party. There are plenty of party animals here, too. $46 per adult.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Best Zoo in Melbourne. Super dooper place to visit... My daughter enjoyed a lot. Buy 1 year pass and frequently hang out with ur kids and family and enjoy the most.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Nice place to spend time with family. Clean, sorted and with great collection of animals. Loads of signage for creating awareness regarding animals. Enough food and coffee outlets available. Seals, lion and orangutans are amazing. Must visit.

I had a wonderful time visiting the zoo with my toddler. The experience left us both feeling thrilled and excited. The zoo was very well-organized, but we found that to see all the animals in action, it's best to arrive early in the morning

Really large zoo. With 2 kids, a 5 and 10 year old, we only managed to see about 50% of the zoo and look forward to going again another day. Stayed from about 11am-4pm. Lots of parking, $2 for a day ticket. But if you get there late it'll

Food is a total rip off. Had food at the cafe near the elephants. Cheese and Mac with chips are discusting and should not be sold and wraps for near on $12 are a rip off. Some of the displays are very dated and are starting to look

The exhibits are well-maintained, and the animals appear to be well-cared for. It's a great destination for families and animal enthusiasts.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Not bad but not great. Glad kids 15 and under are free otherwise it would be very poor value for money. Food was well priced and if a high quality
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Amazing place to go and the staff are incredible they show great passion and care for the work they do and definitely worth a visit and also do some of the animal experiences it's great

We love going to Zoo's but was very disappointed with Melbourne after spending over 4 hours there and finding allot of animals not able to been seen and some of the enclosures need a good clean

Amazing! There's a lot of grounds to cover - spent 5 hours there and more than 11,000 steps (and that was missing the Australiana animal loop). Easy to follow trails. Lots of seating.

Such a beautiful place. Good to take the kids... the animals all seem happy and healthy. Their enclosures are well kept and I love the diversity (reptiles, sea life,

A beautiful place. Walking through jungles of bamboo to see the Gorillas and Elephants. Lions were up and about. Patience pays off! Even saw the Snow Leopard.

Honestly, I had a really fun day and definitely will be coming back next time I'm in Melbourne. Would 100% recommend coming here
Wait time
No wait

We spend a really fun day at the zoo. We saw as much animals as possible, some of them weren’t out because of the heat. But overall it’s a nice zoo.

Great place for walks, learning and kids. Well done to all the staff and workers for making sure a beautiful place for everyone More

Beautiful zoo to take the kids. Easy to walk and follow the map. It was easy to spot all the animals. More