Zoo in Melbourne

The Melbourne Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Australia, which was built in 1862. This zoo is home to more than 350 species of birds and animals. It is located adjoining to the Royal Park and can be accessed from the Royal Park Station. The ground for building of the zoo was donated by Melbourne city itself. The zoo is located approximately 4 kilometers from the center of the Melbourne city. Initially it was built as a shelter for those domestic animals, which had to be imported from Europe. It was largely due to the efforts made by renowned Australian Zoologist Albert Alexander Cochrane Le Souef. The Zoo had been inspired by the London Zoo.

To See at Melbourne Zoo

Within the Melbourne Zoo Australia, a part of land has been developed in the semblance of a reserve forests. Thus within a single zoo, visitors can experience the natural beauty of Asian forests, African rain forests as well a bird aviary, which has been named the Great Flight Aviary. Also a penguin and a seal pool have been developed to accommodate these low temperature animals.

Activities at Melbourne Zoo

There is also a cage, where visitors can stay overnight to watch the wild animals indulge in their nocturnal activities. This needs special permission and this kind of tourism is always monitored by the zookeepers. Parts of the zoo can be hired as picnic spots.

Visiting Melbourne Zoo

The Zoo is open for viewers from nine in the morning till five in the evening. In the first three months of the year, the visiting hours are extended in the evening. The Number 19, 55 and 68 trams drop passengers at the Melbourne Zoo.