Mum's Little Explorers: 6 Must-Do Animal & Wildlife Experiences Around Melbourne for Curious Kids

October in Melbourne is simply magical. The chill of winter is gone, the flowers are blooming, and your little explorers are full of spring energy!

If you’re looking for the best family adventures that connect your kids with nature—from exotic beasts to our own unique Aussie icons—you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve curated a list of incredible wildlife Melbourne experiences. These are not just places to look at animals. They are immersive, hands-on, and often budget-friendly experiences that create truly unforgettable family memories.

This is a classic for a reason! Melbourne Zoo is a world-class conservation hub right on your doorstep, offering immersive habitats from the Gorilla Rainforest to the Trail of the Elephants. It’s perfect for kids who want to see it all—from playful primates to majestic big cats.

Why You’ll Love It 

The Zoo is wonderfully family-friendly, with great playgrounds and plenty of shade. The Keeper Talks are genuinely engaging for all ages, offering fascinating insights into the animals and the vital conservation work. It’s a full day out of discovery without leaving the city.

• Street Address: Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052

• Dates: Open Daily (9:00 am - 5:00 pm). Closed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 for a private event (Dream Day).

• Ticket Information: Adults typically around $38. Children (4-15) around $19. Kids under 16 get FREE entry on weekends, Victorian public holidays, and Victorian Government school holidays. Pre-booking tickets online is highly recommended.

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: Get there for opening time (9 am). The animals are most active and the crowds are thinnest in the morning. Check out the Gorilla Totem Play area near the Gorilla Rainforest for a mid-morning break.

Just 50 minutes southeast of the CBD, this award-winning park offers beautiful bushland settings and an incredibly close encounter with native Aussie animals. It’s the perfect place for intimate zoo experiences VIC families crave.

Why You’ll Love It 

Where else can you hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies or cuddle a koala? The focus here is on interaction and conservation. For older kids, the optional Night Tours offer a magical, lantern-lit glimpse into nocturnal wildlife life.

• Street Address: 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale VIC 3912

• Dates: Open Daily 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (Daytime Admission). Closed Christmas Day.

• Ticket Information: Adult $34, Child (4-17) $17, Family (2A+2C) $90. Night Tours are a separate, pre-booked experience.

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: Check the schedule for the Keeper Talks (Koala, Wombat, Dingo, etc.). They happen every half hour from 10 am to 3 pm and are the best way to get up close and learn more. Kangaroo feeding is free with entry!

Journey into the stunning Yarra Valley to explore this bushland haven dedicated exclusively to native Australian wildlife Melbourne and beyond. It’s part of Zoos Victoria and focuses heavily on local conservation.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s the best spot to see iconic animals in a natural, open-range setting. The Spirits of the Sky show is a must-see, featuring magnificent native birds in flight. Your kids will connect with the Australian landscape as they spot platypus, dingoes, and koalas.

• Street Address: Badger Creek Road, Healesville, Victoria, 3777, Australia.

• Dates: Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

• Ticket Information: Adults typically around $40. Children (4-15) around $20. Kids under 16 get FREE entry on weekends, Victorian public holidays, and Victorian Government school holidays.

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: Look for the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, where you might be able to observe vets treating injured wildlife—a truly unique learning opportunity about rescue and rehabilitation.

If you have kids who love animals and adrenaline, Gumbuya World is the ultimate destination. This is Victoria's only theme park combining rides, water slides (opens 1 Nov), and a dedicated Wildlife Park.

Why You’ll Love It 

You get four worlds in one! Start the day encountering koalas and hand-feeding kangaroos on the Wildlife Trail, then head over to the Outback Explorers area for kid-friendly rides. It offers a perfect balance for families with varied interests.

• Street Address: 2705 Princes Hwy, Tynong VIC 3813

• Dates: Open on select days in October, typically 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Check the online calendar for specific dates and times.

• Ticket Information: Check website for up-to-date pricing on entry to the theme park and wildlife park combo. Separate Close-Up Encounters (Koala, Dingo, Python) start from $35pp and require pre-booking.

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: Look for the Wildlife Wanderers talks on select days for an educational adventure. On Friday, October 31st, check out their spooky GumBOOya! Halloween event for some evening fun (5 pm-9 pm).

Just 35 minutes southwest of Melbourne, this huge open-range facility offers a slice of the African Savannah in Victoria. It's an essential zoo experiences VIC family adventure.

Why You’ll Love It 

The highlight is the included 45-minute open-vehicle Safari Bus tour. You’ll be driven through the wide-open spaces to spot giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and antelopes roaming freely. It's a huge hit with curious kids who love big animals and a sense of safari adventure.

• Street Address: K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030

• Dates: Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

• Ticket Information: Adults typically around $40. Children (4-15) around $20. Kids under 16 get FREE entry on weekends, Victorian public holidays, and Victorian Government school holidays. Includes the Safari Tour.

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: Book a Safari Tour time slot immediately upon arrival, as they fill up quickly. Don't forget to visit the Gorilla exhibit near the entrance—it's impressive!

For a genuinely natural, budget-friendly day out focused purely on Australian wildlife Melbourne, head to Serendip Sanctuary. This beautiful space near Geelong is run by Parks Victoria and is all about spotting animals in their natural habitat.

Why You’ll Love It 

It’s a wildlife oasis close to Melbourne where you can easily see Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Emus, Wallabies, and a huge variety of birdlife. It’s entirely free to enter and offers wide, flat, pram-friendly paths—perfect for little legs and strollers. It’s an accessible way to enjoy a family animal trails experience.

• Street Address: 100 Windermere Road, Lara VIC 3212

• Dates: Open Daily 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

• Ticket Information: Free Activities! Free Entry.

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: Bring a picnic! The picnic area has electric BBQs and accessible tables. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise, so bring a pair of binoculars and try to spot some of the 150 bird species recorded here.