Melbourne Zoo opened on 6 October 1862 in Royal Park, Parkville, about 4 kilometers north of Melbourne’s city center, making it the oldest zoo in Australia. It was modeled after London Zoo and originally served as an acclimatisation station for domestic animals arriving from long sea voyages, before Albert Alexander Cochrane Le Souef’s appointment as director in 1870 shifted its focus toward exotic species and public gardens.
Today the zoo is run by Zoos Victoria, the not-for-profit organization that also operates Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. Set on 55 acres, Melbourne Zoo is organized into bioclimatic zones and is home to notable exhibits including Gorilla Rainforest, Lion Gorge, the Trail of Elephants (opened in 2003), the Great Flight Aviary, Butterfly House, and a dedicated Australian Bush section.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Opened: 6 October 1862
- Size: 55 acres (22 hectares)
- Species: About 243 species, roughly 3,700+ animals (2021 figures)
- Operator: Zoos Victoria
- Famous for: Oldest zoo in Australia; first gorilla birth in the country (1984)
A Zoo Built Around the World’s Habitats
Melbourne Zoo groups its animal collections into bioclimatic zones that mimic natural habitats rather than traditional cages. The Gorilla Rainforest recreates an African rainforest setting for gorillas, mandrills, and pygmy hippos, while Lion Gorge brings together lions, tigers, and snow leopards. The Trail of Elephants, a $15 million exhibit that opened in 2003, moved Asian elephants into a recreated village and garden setting.
Other long-standing features include the Great Flight Aviary, one of the first walk-through aviaries in the world when it opened, along with a Reptile House and Butterfly House that let visitors get close to smaller and more delicate species.
Conservation and Historic Milestones
Melbourne Zoo has notched several firsts in Australian zoo history, including the country’s first gorilla birth in 1984. In 1988, giant pandas were loaned from China for a special exhibition marking Australia’s bicentennial, drawing huge crowds to Royal Park.
As part of Zoos Victoria, the zoo places a strong emphasis on conservation programs for threatened Australian species alongside its international collection, continuing a mission that began with 19th-century animal acclimatisation and evolved into modern wildlife conservation work.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Melbourne Zoo FAQs
Is Melbourne Zoo the oldest zoo in Australia?
Yes. Melbourne Zoo opened on 6 October 1862 in Royal Park, making it Australia’s oldest zoo.
How many animals live at Melbourne Zoo?
As of 2021 figures, the zoo housed roughly 3,700 animals representing about 243 species from Australia and around the world.
Who operates Melbourne Zoo?
Melbourne Zoo is run by Zoos Victoria, which also operates Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.
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Photo: Commander Keane / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.