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Animal Encounters

What's On
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Make your zoo visit even more special by booking an exclusive tour or encounter.

Whether you want a close-up experience with your favourite animal, a chance to meet our keepers, or an overnight stay at the Zoo, book an animal encounter to put yourself in the front row.

Close-up Encounters

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Reptile House Encounter
Tour the Reptile House, Butterfly House and Caterpillar Greenhouse.
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Otter Close-up Encounter
Get to know our cheeky Asian Small-clawed Otter family!
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Kangaroo Close-up Encounter
Upgrade your visit to Melbourne Zoo and say g'day to a kangaroo!
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Seal Close-up Encounter
Upgrade your visit to Melbourne Zoo and meet our playful seals!
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Giraffe Close-up Encounter
Upgrade your visit to Melbourne Zoo with a feed of the world's tallest mammal!
Meerkat looking up
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Meerkat Close-up Encounter
Upgrade your visit to Melbourne Zoo and mix with the meerkats!

Behind the Scenes

Two male Lions relaxing side by side, on a sunny platform, looking into the distance.
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Lion behind the scenes
Join us at Lion Gorge and meet our lion boys.
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Elephant behind the scenes
For a limited time only!
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Orangutan behind the scenes
Meet Melbourne Zoo’s critically endangered great apes and the passionate keeper who cares for them.
Gorilla in bushes with body covered by leaves
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Gorilla behind the scenes
Meet one of the critically endangered gorillas and the passionate keeper who cares for them.
Giraffe silhouette against giant moon in night's sky
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Roar 'n' Snore overnight camp
Feast and slumber overnight in the historic elephant exhibit of Melbourne Zoo
Tiger walking through bushes directly towards camera
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Tiger behind the scenes
Meet one of the critically endangered Sumatran Tigers and the passionate keeper who cares for them.

 

Guided Tours

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Big Cat Guided Tour
Join us on a tour of the wonderful world of the carnivores!
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Gorilla Rainforest Guided Tour
Tour the rainforest with one of the zoo's knowledgeable guides!
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Trail of the Elephants Guided Tour
Have you 'herd' about our Trail of the Elephants tour?
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Australian Bush Guided Tour
Love koalas, kangaroos, and all of Australia's amazing local legends?
Koala in tree holding onto branch with claw and looking lazy
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Australian Wildlife Tour (early morning access)
Enjoy exclusive morning access to the Zoo's Australian Bush habitat before it opens to the public.