Wildlife & zoos

Featuring a state of the art aquarium and award-winning zoos along with abundant parklands teeming with native wildlife, you don't have to go far in Melbourne to experience the wonders of the natural world.

Animals from around the world
See Melbourne Zoo's newest arrival, Mali the baby elephant, and discover the incredible orang-utan sanctuary. Head to the city to visit the colourful and scary creatures of the deep at Melbourne Aquarium, or take the train to Werribee and see rhinos, giraffes, zebras and hippos on grassy plains.

Native wildlife
The city’s parks and gardens are home to a wide range of wildlife. Spot brush-tailed and ringtail possums in the Fitzroy and Treasury gardens on winter evenings, and admire the abundant birdlife including rosellas and lorikeets. Spend a day at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a natural sanctuary for native wildlife such as the black swans, cockatoos and kookaburras.

Animal Land Children’s Farm

Animal Land Children's Farm was originally established in 1985. Animals on the farm love it when children come to visit them. Meet all types of farm...

Read more | Show on map

Children playing with our Eastern Fiddler Rays

Australian Shark and Ray Centre

The world's largest shark and sting ray feeding experience. The Australian Shark and Ray Centre sharks and rays feed all day, everyday. And feeding...

Read more | Show on map

Chesterfield Farm

Come to Chesterfield Farm and experience a little bit of farm life in the city, on a real working farm. Milk a cow, feed and play with the baby farm...

Read more | Show on map

Collingwood Children's Farm

Only five kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, nestled on a bend of the Yarra River lies seven hectares of paddocks, gardens, orchards, rustic...

Read more | Show on map

Melbourne Zoo

Enliven your zoo visit with up-close Wild Encounters tours, groove in summer to the 'Zoo Twilights' music performances, or just gawp at new arrivals.

Read more | Show on map

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

Winner of the Victorian Tourism Awards in Ecotourism, cuddle up to koalas, feed kangaroos and wallabies, meet endangered species all in a beautiful...

Read more | Show on map

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Join a wildlife safari, Melbourne style, and spot rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and monkeys as they roam freely through the grounds of the zoo.

Read more | Show on map

Join a tour

Explore by region

Visit zoos and sanctuaries across Victoria

Grampians
See quirky animals like kangaroos, wallabies, emus and echidnas in their natural habitat, or visit Halls Gap Zoo to see giraffes, meerkats and more.
Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges
Encounter curious Australian animals in regional national parks, or get up close to your favourite creatures at the famous Healesville Sanctuary.
Goldfields
Get close to Australian native animals in their natural surroundings at national parks, sanctuaries and Ballarat Wildlife Park.
Gippsland
Surround yourself with a plethora of amazing wildlife in Gippsland's national parks, wetlands, beaches and other unspoilt landscapes.
Great Ocean Road
See amazing wildlife in the Great Ocean Road region from whale watching and swimming with dolphins to spotting koalas and the elusive platypus.
Mornington Peninsula
Head to the Mornington Peninsula for close encounters with familiar Australian wildlife and some unusual new discoveries, on land and in the water.
Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges
Glimpse quirky Australian wildlife such as echidna, wombat, colourful rosellas and other birdlife plus the locals at Hanging Rock reserve.
High Country
Visit one of the many wildlife sanctuaries in the region or explore one of the national parks to see bird life, kangaroos and much more.
The Murray
Head to the Murray to see kangaroos, emus and colourful bird life, including the waterbirds that inhabit the wetlands and rookeries year-round.

Family fun

Polly Woodside - Melbourne's Tall Ship Story
Step aboard and join the crew on the Polly Woodside and experience a new world of maritime adventure. With an interactive museum and an exciting...
Melbourne Museum
Touch and feel your way through local history; give Phar Lap a nod, explore a rainforest, rest in a rollercoaster car, and discover Koori heritage.
Federation Square
In the tradition of the world's busiest public spaces, "Fed Square" buzzes with a daily program of events, restaurants and cafes and bold galleries.
Old Melbourne Gaol Crime & Justice Experience
Sentence yourself to a day of fun or a spooky night at Victoria's oldest prison, which housed tough criminals and the infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly.
Eureka Skydeck 88
Teeter on The Edge, a switchable glass cube that slides you out from the building's 88th floor for unsurpassed views of Melbourne and far beyond.
Queen Victoria Market
Shop 'til you drop at this celebrated market to see buskers, find souvenirs and to marvel at the fresh produce and the treats in the Dairy Hall.

More family activities

More outdoors

Fishing
Get out there and try your luck with the fish in Port Phillip Bay from the pier or join a Melbourne fishing charter cruise out on the open water.
Golf
Swing your way around four of Australia's top 10 golf courses located within the south-east 'sandbelt' corridor of Melbourne making it a golfing must.
Cycling
Join the cycling set pedalling between Melbourne's hidden bars and cafes in a city set to rival the most cycling-friendly European capitals.
Outdoor activities
Make the most of the rivers, parks and coastline Melbourne has to offer with a range of outdoor activities to suit your interests and lifestyle.
Walking
Follow a heritage trail through Melbourne streets and hidden laneways or set your own pace with a jog, run or walk around the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Kiteboarding and windsurfing
Make the most of Melbourne's long hot summer and plentiful onshore winds and try your hand at sailboarding or kitesurfing at popular beach spots.
Water sports
With sandy bay beaches and a river through the city, there's plenty to do on, in and by the water from kiteboarding to kayaking by moonlight.
Boating and sailing
See Melbourne from a different angle by getting out on the water, sail the sparkling waters of Port Phillip Bay or cruise down the Yarra River.