Come to Melbourne Zoo for a great day with your friends and family. Come on the weekend or during Victorian school holidays, as children’s tickets are FREE!
Opened in 1862, Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia. Today, the zoo attracts millions of visitors each year and also hosts school excursions, weddings, corporate functions, and outdoor concerts.
Melbourne Zoo Entry Fee Prices, Tickets, Address Map & Opening Hours
Melbourne Zoo has several excellent permanent exhibits, including the Elephant Walk, the Butterfly House, and the Orangutan Sanctuary. There is also an African Savannah featuring zebras and antelope, an Australian Outback featuring kangaroos and koalas, and a Lion Park featuring a pride of lions.
The Wild Sea is a wonderful exhibit designed to showcase the fantastic coastal environment and sea creatures that call Victoria home. Visitors will see lots of seals and fairy penguins within this exhibit. Make sure you check out the show schedule, as zookeepers run a number of scheduled seal shows throughout the day aimed at education and conservation.
If you are visiting Melbourne in the summer, make sure you check out the Zoo Twilight schedule. On the weekends, many outdoor concerts are held inside the zoo after dark. Patrons can wander around the zoo during the twilight hours before settling for a picnic on the main lawn and listening to exciting live music.
Located just 4 kilometres from the city, Melbourne Zoo is easily accessible via public transport:
- TRAM: Catch the #55 tram from William Street and stop directly outside Melbourne Zoo.
- TRAIN: Catch an Upfield train from the CBD and alight at Royal Park Station.
- BUS: Catch the #505 bus from Moonee Ponds to Melbourne University, which stops outside Melbourne Zoo.
Good morning, my mane is Farah Al shammari, I would like ask this question, if I have pensioner concession card , how many I will pay if I have two children ages 5 and 7 years and We all together how much, if we want came tomorrow Monday 11/6/2018, it is queens birth day, weekend and thanks.
Hi Farah,
As noted on our page, children (under 16yrs) are free on Victorian Public Holidays. So as Monday 11 June 2018 is the Queens Birthday public holiday, your children will be admitted free.
If you have a Pensioner Concession Card (Australian Pensioner Concession Card, full-time student card, Healthcare Card, Disability Concession Card, or DVA Gold Card) your ticket price will be $27.50.
Have a great time at the Melbourne Zoo!
Jess
Hi my 4 year old holds a Child Disability Allowance Health Care Card, I hold a we care card.
Do we both have free entry or does my child need to purchase a child ticket?
Thanks
Hi Katie,
Typically, you would need to purchase a children’s ticket (Children’s Disability Concession is $5.00) and then the carer would be free.
However, I note that children are free over school holidays, so you might both get free entry. Confirm with ticket operators when you arrive.
Have a great time at the Melbourne Zoo!
Jess
Hello, my daughter had a health care card, is there a discount for having that card? Please
Hello there,
To be eligible for Concession Tickets to the Melbourne Zoo, you must produce one of the following: Australian Pensioner Concession Card, full-time student card, Healthcare Card, Disability Concession Card, or DVA Gold Card.
Best regards,
Jess
What time does their back gate open. The one where the train stops?
Hi Selena,
All gates open at the Melbourne Zoo from 9am.
Have a great time!
Jess
Is the zoo open on good Friday? ?
Hi Lucy,
Yes, the Zoo is open on Good Friday – in fact they are open 365 days a year! If you wish, you can purchase your tickets online in advance here.
Have a great time at the Melbourne Zoo and have a happy Easter!
Kind regards,
Jess
Do you have wheelchairs available for use at the entrance. My husband would not be able to walk around the zoo wit his walker? Kind regards Jan
Hi Jan,
Wheelchairs are available for free hire. Photographic identification is required. There are a limited number of wheelchairs, so recommend you book in advance by calling (03) 9285 9300.
Kind regards,
Jess
Does the Melbourne Zoo have wheelchairs for hire?
Hi Jeff,
Yes they do. Melbourne Zoo has an easy-to-follow pathway system, with access for people using wheelchairs and pushers. Wheelchairs are available for free hire. Photographic identification is required.
I recommend that you call can book the wheelchair in advance to ensure its availability – Ph: (03) 9285 9300.
Enjoy your day out at the Melbourne Zoo!
Kind regards,
Jess
Hi, is the Melbourne Zoo open on New Year’s Day?
Hi Emz,
We can confirm that the Melbourne Zoo is in fact open on New Years Day.
As with all days of the year, the Zoo is open from 9am – 5pm every day.
If you wish to purchase your tickets ahead of time and make things a bit easier and quicker at the gate (being a public holiday and all), you can buy your tickets online here.
Thanks and have a great day!
Michael
Hi, I am wondering about parking availability. Is it limited and what are the charges? Thanks Steve.
G’day Steve,
There is plenty of car parking right next to the Melbourne Zoo, with a number of car parks surrounding the zoo and also some grassland near the back gate which is opened up for overflow parking during busy periods.
Car parking costs $2 for a five hour ticket and your ticket needs to be displayed on your dashboard. The area is monitored by parking officers and you can get fined if you don’t pay for parking.
Have a great time at the Melbourne Zoo! If you wish to purchase tickets in advance, you can buy them here. Just note that kids are free on School Holidays, so you do not need to pay for tickets for them.
Kind Regards,
Jess
Hi is melb zoo open xmas day?
Hi Carly,
Yes, Melbourne Zoo is open on Christmas Day. You can buy your tickets here!
Have a great day!
Jess
Hi jess is it free for kids or no as its xmas day?
Hi Carly,
It is both a weekend and public holiday, so kids are FREE!
You can buy any adult tickets you need here.
Have a great Christmas!
Jess
I heard on radio that the zoo was opening 8am? Wondering if this is so boxing day?
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for contacting us. I have done some digging and it appears that yes, the Melbourne Zoo will be extending their opening hours in the morning to 8am between from 26 December until 29 January.
You can buy your tickets here. Just remember that kids are free on public holidays and school holidays, so no need to buy them tickets on Boxing Day.
Regards,
Jess
Hello, wondering if a companion card is accepted for entry? Thankyou
Hello Terry,
Yes, companion cards are accepted for entry into the Melbourne Zoo. There is free entry for carers accompanying a person with a disability who is a holder of a Child Disability Allowance Health Care Card, a Disability Pension Card or a Companion Card.
You can purchase your tickets here. You do not need to purchase a ticket for the carer. Also note that kids are free on the weekends, so make sure to select the $0.00 admission option for kids if going on Sat or Sun.
Kind regards,
Jess
Do we have to book before we come?
Hi Sui,
It is not necessary that you book, however if attending on the weekends or during school holidays, the lines for ticket purchase can get quite long. If you have pre-purchased your tickets, there is generally a separate lane so you can skip the huge queues.
If you would like to pre-purchase your tickets online, you are able to do so here. Just note that kids are FREE on weekends, so make sure you select the option that is FREE.
Kind regards,
Jess
How do you get from the wharf to the zoo by public transport?
Hi Paul,
Not sure which wharf you are referring to, as there are a number spread out over Melbourne (Docklands, South Wharf, St. Kilda).
However, you can refer to the Public Transport of Victoria Journey Planner which you can find here. Simply insert your location and your ultimate destination to find the public transport options (bus, train, tram).
From the city, you can get to the Melbourne Zoo via public transport in the following ways:
TRAM: Catch the #55 tram which runs from William Street and stops directly outside Melbourne Zoo.
TRAIN: Catch an Upfield train from the CBD and alight at Royal Park Station.
BUS: Catch the #505 bus from Moonee Ponds to Melbourne University which stops outside Melbourne Zoo.
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Jess
What kind of concession do you take?
Hi Nanette,
The Melbourne Zoo accepts the following cards as proof of concession: Australian Pensioner Concession Card, full-time student card, Healthcare Card, Disability Concession Card, or DVA Gold Card.
Have a great time at the Melbourne Zoo!
Regards,
Jess
Hi, Is there a good area for a family picnic? if so, where would this be? Also, is it possible to bring a deck chair, rug etc. Are there any restrictions on having a family gathering such as this?
Hi Shirley,
There are 12 lawns located throughout the zoo, most with shady areas which are perfect for a picnic. You won’t find BBQ facilities here, so most people bring a cold lunch to enjoy on the lawns.
If you are just organising a casual get together, a great spot to meet is near the Reptile Centre (near the rear entry of the park). There are large sprawling lawns as well as undercover gazebos which give some shelter on a cool or windy day. You can also bring your own picnic rug or chairs (although a rug may be preferable as otherwise you will need to carry chairs around with you all day).
Regards,
Jess
Do you open on Christmas day?
Hi Jazz,
Yes, the Zoo is open 365 days a year!
Regards,
Jess
Hi, is there any special discount for an international student and their family?
Hi Tayyibah,
There are no special discounts for international students, however you will be eligible for the same pricing as Australian residents. Children under 15yrs are free on the weekends or if your child is over 15yrs, have them present their student card for a concession priced ticket.
Regards,
Jess
Ok so if my daughter from the U.S. were to visit, she could show her high school ID and also her drivers license to validate the reduced rate ticket?
Hi Jason,
I don’t see any reference to only Australian Students being eligible for the discounted ticket, so can’t hurt to show the student card and ask for the reduced rate from the ticket seller.
The following cards are noted as being accepted for Concession entry: “Australian Pensioner Concession Card, full-time student card, Healthcare Card, Disability Concession Card, or DVA Gold Card.”
Have a great time at the Melbourne Zoo!
Best regards
Jess
How much are the adult tickets at the door?
Hi Kari,
Adult tickets are $31.60 at the door.
Regards,
Jess
They are $31.60 at the door, but $36 online? Is that right?
Hi Kris,
As far as I am aware, tickets are $36.00 whether you purchase from the Melbourne Zoo website or at the door. Not sure where a price of $31.60 comes from?
We have located a special through Klook who are selling tickets at $33.00 for a limited time, so I believe this is the cheapest price at the moment.
Best regards,
Jess
Hi, I am just wondering how far the zoo is from the royal children hospital? Thanks
Hi Rachel,
It is only 2.2kms away. Certainly within walking distance for an adult.
If you have little ones walking with you you may wish to catch a tram. The #55 tram stops out the front of the Royal Children’s Hospital (stop 19) and will take you right to the zoo entrance (stop 25). Here is a link to the PDF tram route.
Regards,
Jess
You don’t have family passes for Sale on Saturday or Sunday!!
Hi Lorraine,
This is because children are FREE on Saturdays and Sundays! (So no need for the family passes.)
Here is the link for the tickets.
Enjoy your day at the Melbourne Zoo!
Regards,
Jess
Do you have wheelchairs for people who can’t walk far?
Hi Christine,
Melbourne Zoo has an easy-to-follow pathway system, with access for people using wheelchairs and pushers. Wheelchairs are available for free hire. Photographic identification is required.
I recommend that you call can book the wheelchair in advance to ensure its availability – Ph: (03) 9285 9300.
Enjoy your day out at the Melbourne Zoo!
Regards,
Jess