Werribee Open Range Zoo (formerly known as Victoria’s Open Range Zoo at Werribee and Werribee Zoo) is one of Victoria’s three great zoos. 

In 1975, the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board of Victoria acquired 120 hectares of Werribee parkland to be used as an agistment area for surplus stock from Melbourne Zoo. The Board planned to develop an open range zoo at Werribee and take advantage of the property’s landscape, especially the river valley and floodplain.

Werribee Open Range Zoo officially opened to the public in 1983, offering visitors a guided safari tour around the property. The collection consisted mainly of ungulates such as bison and deer, as well as ostrich, kangaroos and a pair of Southern White Rhinoceros acquired from Whipsnade Zoo in the UK.

For the next ten years, tours were boarded from a bus shelter in the Werribee Park Mansion grounds and visitors paid their admission fee when entering the vehicle (as on public transport).

In December 1996, Werribee Open Range Zoo relaunched with expanded visitor facilities including an African Walking Trail, Meerkat Bistro, Savannah Discovery Centre, and a Safari Shop.

The following year, the Zoo launched its Volcanic Plains Walk. This exhibit was developed to highlight the vegetation and wildlife of the Western Basalt Plains, an endangered grasslands ecosystem in Victoria.

In October 1999, the Zoo acquired four Southern White Rhinoceros from South Africa as part of an international breeding program. This program proved successful in 2002 when the first rhino calf, Ganini, was born.

Slumber Safaris, a unique overnight accommodation experience, also officially opened in January 2002.

In January 2004, Lions on the Edge, an innovative lion experience, opened to the public. The biggest development ever undertaken at the Zoo, Kubu River Hippos, which spans more than three hectares, opened in September 2006. More recently, the African Wild Dogs exhibit was unveiled in December 2008.

Last year the Zoo celebrated its 25th year birthday with a weekend of festive celebrations.

More than 3 million people have visited Werribee Open Range Zoo during its 26 years of operation.