Growing Wild
Temporarily closed
All indoor spaces have been closed until further notice. More information
Imagine a place where you can patrol for danger alongside a Meerkat, or crawl inside a Giant Tortoise shell to get a tortoise-eye view of the world!
A place where only play, fun, excitement and imagination matter, and where animals are so close that you can see, hear, smell and even touch them!
Melbourne Zoo’s Growing Wild is an exciting interactive area designed especially for children aged 3 to 8 years. This world-class exhibit is filled with animals, sculptures, tunnels and sounds, so you can scramble, crawl and climb – or stand look-out like a meerkat.
Explore your way through three zones - ground, trees and water. Meet meerkats, Giant Tortoises, Brush Turkeys, reptiles, insects and other animals that live on the ground.
Growing Wild is focused on creating play opportunities and nurturing an early love of nature.
Visit Growing Wild on Tuesdays and Fridays for great interactive learning programs designed for children 0 to 5 years:
Tadpole Tuesday
Every Tuesday, 10:30am -11:30am
Tadpole Tuesday invites children aged 0 to 5 years and their families to come along and learn about some of Australia’s most unique and endangered frogs. Stories, art and researching are a few of the ways children will learn through play.
Furry Friday
Every Friday, 10:30am - 11:30am
Furry Friday invites children aged 0 to 5 years and their families to Melbourne Zoo. Bring along your favourite furry toy and together you can learn all about the lovable marsupials of Australia.
There’s loads of fun for the whole family and one visit just won’t be enough!
*Please note: program may be cancelled due to weather or staffing availability.