Werribee Open Range Zoo

Together with Melbourne Zoo and Healsville Sanctuary, Werribee Open Range Zoo (WORZ) is under the administration of the Zoological Board of Victoria. It is located 35 kilometres away from the Melbourne Central business district and is only 30 minutes away by car via the Westgate Bridge.

Travelling to Werribee Open Range Zoo

There are certain options to take when going to the sanctuary. If visitors prefer to go by train, they must ride the Werribee line where they can be taken to Werribee from the city. If they choose the bus, they have to watch out for the departure times from the station to the destination and must be aware that there are two separate schedules for weekdays and weekends. For convenience sakes they may opt to book for a shuttle service where special service vehicles will comfortably bring them at the exact WORZ entrance and straight back to the city on the return trip.

WORZ visitors can make use of free guided tours on the walking trail where they are guaranteed to have a worthwhile strolling in the celebrated zoo in Victoria. When you have finished the tours, quench your thirst at the Meerkat Bistro and the kiosks. The Kiosk will provide the food and drinks as well as a nice hang-out in between tours. Meanwhile, they can also enjoy shopping for African and Australian souvenirs at the Safari Shop. Moreover, the zoo proves to be very conducive to visitors of all sorts as it provides for the elderly and disabled, wheelchairs which can be obtained for a rental fee.

Africa in Melbourne

Concerning the special tours and presentations, the Werribee Open Range Zoo boasts of its ability to mimic Africa right in Victoria. Visitors can book a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feed the semi-captive lions through the Rip Roaring Feed program. Only groups having at least 20 representatives including children ages eight years old and over are allowed to partake in this activity. The affair lasts for only 120 minutes so visitors are advised to make advanced bookings to avoid hassles. Aside from feeding the "fierce" lions, WORZ visitors may also take part in a rhinoceros guided tour and a giraffe encounter which are specifically designed to be included in the zoo's program to entertain at least 20-person groups.

To complete the whole African safari experience, visitors may come and take the Open-Vehicle Adventure, where they can get to ride a converted bus that is painted in safari colors that will bring them closer to the grazing animals like zebras, gazelles, giraffes, rhinoceroses and antelopes. However, only a group of people can join the event and bookings are necessary in order to get the best chances of securing a great adventure and photo opportunities.

There are still other things to see at the Werribee Open Range Zoo but one day could be limited for the visitors. In order to maximize the presentations set by WORZ, the zoo has a unique Slumber Safari program where guests can have the chance to sleep in comfortable safari tents that prove to be good campsites between walking trails and the Lions on the Edge.