Werribee Open Range Zoo opens its Elephant Trail for Visitors

The Werribee Open Range Zoo, located 32 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, has today opened its brand-new Elephant Trail for visitors with the walking trail connecting the elephant's open space, barns, mega pools and a café.

The new habitat is the size of the entire Melbourne Zoo, giving the herd plenty of room to roam. It includes two mega pools to keep the elephants cool - connected to the Werribee Recycled Water Plant by a 2.5 kilometre pipeline that delivers 150 million litres of recycled water to the habitat.

Zoos Victoria Chief Executive Dr Jenny Gray noted “"The Elephant Trail at Werribee Open Range Zoo has been years in the making and is world-leading in terms of animal welfare and visitor experience."

The new Elephant Trail was made possible by an $88 million investment from the Victorian Government to create an even better experience at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

The elephants have spent the past few weeks settling into their new home after making the move to the west. But now they're ready to welcome visitors - just in time for the school holidays.

Children under 16 have free entry to all four zoos on school holidays - and every weekend and public holiday. The State Government's Kids Go Free program is making a trip to the zoo a more affordable day out for families, whether at Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Kyabram Fauna Park or Healesville Sanctuary.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopoulos today opened the 21-hectare Elephant Trail, a world-class habitat for the nine Asian elephants.

For more information on new Elephant Trail and to buy tickets, visit zoo.org.au/werribee.