Victorian Zoos reopen with sell out ticket allocations

With Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary reopening to the public today, the limited visitor numbers under the first phase of the Victorian Government’s Roadmap has seen all three zoos already completely sold out for this coming weekend. Melbourne Zoo sold out for the entire week, despite no access to indoor areas, no safari bus operating at Werribee and no Spirits of the Sky bird presentation at the Sanctuary this week.

Zoos Victoria Chief Executive Dr Jenny Gray said it was wonderful to see people enjoying the zoo grounds and hear squeals of joy as visitors reconnected with the Zoo animals.

Dr Gray notes “today is a happy day for us as we welcome visitors back to our three great zoos. We have been overwhelmed by the response for tickets and we know that some people may be disappointed if they haven’t secured a ticket during this first phase of reopening. We ask people to be patient as more tickets will become available as we move through to the next phases and are able to host more visitors and open up more areas.

“We are particularly grateful to our 280,000-plus Zoo Members who have continued to support us and who were able to book the majority of this week’s tickets. However, we look forward to welcoming back all Victorians, including those in regional areas, as we reach the next Roadmap milestone.”

Phase one sees zoo visitor numbers at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 3000 visitors a day at Melbourne Zoo, 1750 at Werribee Open Range Zoo and 1250 at Healesville Sanctuary.

Every Zoo Member and visitor must have a ticket pre-booked online and all adult ticketholders (16 years of age and over) are required to provide proof of full vaccination and follow current Victorian Government directions at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

For more information about visiting Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary, visit zoo.org.au/update 

Meantime, animal lovers at home can stay connected with the zoo animals via Zoos Victoria’s live stream cameras at zoo.org.au/animals-at-home 

Image top: World Hippo Day Celebrations at Werribee Open Range Zoo; image centre: Meerkat at Melbourne Zoo; image above; Koala at Healesville Sanctuary