THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM

If there is ever an incentive to become an early riser or reward for already being one, here are five great reasons why you should be:

1. Our zoos open at 9am (except Kyabram Fauna Park that opens at 10am) daily, and it's the best time to visit as the queues are minimal.

2. The animals are waking for the day and it's when they are most active.

3. Car parks are super easy to find and are close to the entrance.

4. A Coffee for Wildlife barista-made coffee while enjoying a stroll around the zoo.

5. Enjoy the cooler part of the day before it starts to really warm up.

So make the most of your zoo membership this Summer and enjoy all the benefits of starting the day early when visiting your four zoos.

Published 6 December 2023

welcome david, wayo and jesse to werribee open range zoo

One-year-old male Giraffes David and Wayo and two-year-old Jesse are settling into their new surroundings on the Savannah at Werribee Open Range Zoo, after arriving from Australia Zoo in Queensland and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in New South Wales last month.

The curious Giraffes have completed their routine quarantine and are enjoying becoming acquainted with the existing herd of four adult Giraffes as well as the other species on the Savannah, including Southern White Rhinoceroses, Ostriches, Zebras and Antelopes.

Visit Werribee Open Range Zoo and take a free Safari Bus tour to meet these gentle giants!

Published 6 December 2023

christmas grazing boxes now on sale

As you're part of the Zoo family, let us cook for you this Christmas. We've got you covered for lunch or dinner with two grazing box options, either a meat-based or vegetarian option to order.

Collect your grazing box on Saturday 23 or Sunday 24 December, ready to eat wherever and whenever you are celebrating.

Bookings close at noon, Tuesday 19 December.

Order HERE for collection at Melbourne Zoo

Order HERE for collection at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Published 5 December 2023

gift a zoo membership this christmas

It's the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. You love your zoo membership, and you can give that joy to a friend, family, teacher or loved one too.

Purchasing is easy and instant, and the membership is active from when the recipient is ready to start using it, so get on top of your Christmas gift shopping early and purchase now - click here to get started

Published 4 December 2023

congratulations melbourne zoo and healesville sanctuary

We're thrilled to announce that we've taken home two awards at the Victoria Tourism Industry Council - VTIC 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards! 🏆
Last night Melbourne Zoo won Gold in the Best Major Tourism Attraction category, while Healesville Sanctuary received the top honours for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience with 'Wominjeka - Connect with Wurundjeri Culture at Healesville Sanctuary'. A huge congratulations to everyone involved! We're so proud to continue to provide special places for members and visitors from all over the world to connect with animals, nature and our rich First Nations culture.

Pictured left to right: Sheri Horiszny, Director-Melbourne Zoo, Dr Jenny Gray, Chief Executive Officer-Zoos Victoria, Murrundindi, Healesville Sanctuary

Published 4 December 2023

coffee for wildlife - how you can make a difference

Making the switch to Coffee for Wildlife means you will support coffee growers, forests and wildlife around the world. Every cup you purchase at the zoo, or every bag you buy from our Zoo Shop, makes a difference. 

Visit our Coffee For Wildlife webpage for detailed stories from the regions that our coffee beans are sourced and see the impact for yourself. As a Zoo Member, you also receive 15% discount on all coffee purchases from our Zoo Shop. See your latest member email for your exclusive discount code to purchase online or visit us in store.

Photo Credit: Orang Utan Coffee Project | Published 5 December 2023

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS WITH SISTER ZOO PARTNERSHIP IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Zoos Victoria has had a sister zoo partnership with the Port Moresby Nature Park in Papua New Guinea since 2013. The relationship is an outcome of a 2005 recommendation by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums for “well-resourced zoos to partner well-intentioned but under-resourced institutions”. At the heart of the relationship is sharing of staff knowledge, skills and passion and more than 30 staff from both institutions have participated to date.

Since the partnership has commenced, Port Moresby Nature Park has been awarded multiple accolades including accreditation with the Zoo & Aquarium Association (ZAA) and the induction into the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame in 2019 following 5 years of Certificates of Excellence.

Published 13 November 2023

MEMBERS, THEY'RE CALLING ON YOU

Zoos Victoria's 'They're Calling On You' campaign collects and re-purposes old devices in an effort to reduce further mining of minerals such as Coltan, a metallic ore used in most modern mobile phones. This mining causes land clearing and habitat destruction for Western Lowland Gorillas in central African countries including Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Donating your used mobile phones also helps to raise important funds for the Gorilla Doctors - the only accredited organisation able to provide life-saving medical care to fragile wild Gorilla populations in Africa.

To learn more visit zoo.org.au/theyre-calling-on-you-phones or drop off your old mobile phones on your next visit to any of our four zoos! 

Published 02 November 2023

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MEMBER CALENDAR PHOTO WINNERS

Congratulations to the following 14 Zoo Members whose images have been selected to feature in the 2024 Member Calendar. The Calendar will be posted to members in early December, for those who subscribed to receive it. It is also available in our Zoo Shops to purchase from 1 December, and is a great Christmas gift idea for family, friends and even Teachers.

* Michelle Nakivell * Thuan Truong * Jill Robertson * Bradley Pemberton * Albert Tay * Laura Snyders * Daniel Charles * Sarah Archibald * Paul Jackson * James Wooldridge * David Lucas * Jordan Groen * Alicia Vaccaro * Andrew Haysom

If you too are a talented and passionate photographer and would like to submit your images for the 2025 Member Calendar, keep an eye out for the annual Member Photo Competition, launching in February 2024.

Published 30 October 2023

RANGER KIDS HAS HAD A RENOVATION

Rain, hail or shine, you can enjoy this indoor play space at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Come inside and let your imagination run wild! Check out the new sensory wall and tortoise enclosure as well as a giant helicopter, big plush toys for little ones and seats for adults to relax. Junior Rangers can dress up as a ranger or vet and play in the huge Medic Tent. There's something for all ages. Make sure you say hi to the local resident tortoises and watch them enjoying their newly renovated habitat.

The parents room is also conveniently located next door.

Published 14 October 2023