Melbourne Zoo

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Melbourne Zoo

The Melbourne Zoo is the common name of The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens and contains around 320 animal species from all over the world as well as from Australia. It is located some 4 kilometres towards the north of the centre of Melbourne city. You can easily reach the zoo using the Royal Park station on the Upfield railway line or take the tram routes 55 and 19 or use a bicycle on the Capital City Trail. But remember, bicycles are not allowed inside the zoo.

Back to history

The Melbourne Zoo is perhaps the oldest zoo in Australia and was built on the model of London Zoo. It was first opened on 6th October 1862 at the Royal Park site. It was built on a land of about 55-acre that was donated by the City of Melbourne. Before the foundation of the zoo, animals were kept at the botanical gardens of the city. At first, the zoo was the home for animals recovering from their extended trip to Australia.

The zoo at present

Presently, the animals in the zoo are kept in bio-climatic zones like Asian Rainforest with tigers and otters, African rainforest with gorillas, pigmy hippos, mandrills and parrots, Australian Bush for echidnas, koala, hairy nose wombats and emus. Then, there is the Butterfly House and the Trail of the Elephants. Plus, you can also find the Lion Park, the Wild Sea, the Reptile House and the Orang-utan Sanctuary among others. The zoo has recently added three new Asian Elephants from Thailand.

The Melbourne Zoo has big school sections, which is a popular education program that motivates young people to conserve animals.

Website: www.zoo.org.au/MelbourneZoo
Email: mz@zoo.org.au
Address: Elliott Avenue, Parkville VIC 3052 VIC 3052, Australia
Phone: 1300 966 784
Fax: 03 92859267
Admission Price:

• Prices effective from 12th July, 2010, $24.80
• (adults, 16 years and over), $12.40
• (children, 4 to 15 years)
• Free (children below 4 years)
• $19.20 (Adult Concession, 16 years and over)
• $22.30 (Seniors Concession)

Family passes:

• $7.00 (per additional child up to 5 children)
• $56.80 (2 Adults & 1 Child)
• Disabled admission: $19.20
• (Disabled Adult, 16 years and over)
• $6.00 (Disabled Child, 4-15 years)

Timing: 9 am -5 pm (daily)