Timeline
09:00
Enter Melbourne Zoo as it opens. Head straight to the lion exhibit or the trail of the elephants while the enclosures are spacious and engaging for the animals and the atmosphere is calm.
10:30
Walk four minutes to Mer Kapah Cafe for a coffee or a light snack. It is open from 10:00 to 15:00, so you will arrive just in time to enjoy a break before the afternoon crowds build up.
11:00
Stroll ten minutes south into Royal Park. This expansive green space offers grasslands and native gardens, providing a peaceful contrast to the zoo's activity and a place to relax before you head home.
Local tip
The zoo is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Arriving at opening ensures you have the best experience with the animals and the shortest queues.
Check before you go
- Melbourne Zoo opens at 09:00 every day.
- Mer Kapah Cafe is open 10:00 to 15:00 daily.
- Royal Park is accessible around the clock, but the gardens are best enjoyed during daylight hours.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Melbourne (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).