At a glance
- Closure
- Melbourne Zoo is closed to Zoo Members and the public on Saturday 24 October 2026 for ‘Dream Day’
- Train
- Upfield line from Flinders Street to Royal Park Station, across the road from the Rail Gate entrance
- Tram
- Route 58, stops 26 Melbourne Zoo and 27 Royal Park Station
- Bus
- Route 505 from Moonee Ponds to Melbourne University stops outside the Zoo
- Parking
- $2 for a five-hour ticket, run by Melbourne City Council (per Zoos Victoria)
- Phone
- Tickets and bookings 1300 966 784
Melbourne Zoo is closed to Zoo Members and the general public on Saturday 24 October 2026, when it hosts ‘Dream Day’, according to the visitor notice on the Zoo’s website. If you plan another day, the Zoo’s own advice is to come by train on the Upfield line to Royal Park Station, and it says car parking is $2 for a five-hour ticket.
This guide uses the Zoos Victoria getting here page and plan your visit page, checked on 21 October 2026. The Zoo is in Royal Park, minutes north of the city centre, and Zoos Victoria says it is 20 minutes from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine).
How do I get to Melbourne Zoo by train?
Trains run from Flinders Street Station on the Upfield line every day, stopping at Royal Park Station, just across the road from the Zoo’s Rail Gate entrance. Zoos Victoria describes public transport as the easiest, most convenient and eco-friendly way to reach the Zoo. Its page also mentions planned disruptions on the Upfield line because of the Level Crossing Removal Project, without giving dates, so check Disruptions in the Journey Planner before you leave.
From regional Victoria, the Zoo lists V/Line trains from Geelong, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Maryborough, Ararat, Bendigo, Swan Hill, Echuca, Seymour, Shepparton, Albury, Traralgon and Sale, among other places, into the CBD. The V/Line Family Traveller ticket lets each adult take up to two children aged between five and 18 at no extra cost.
What about the tram and the bus?
The Zoo lists the route 58 tram, with Stop 26 Melbourne Zoo and Stop 27 Royal Park Station. Its page carried a notice about replacement buses on route 58 between Stop 11 Queensberry Street and West Coburg from Friday 21 August to Monday 5 October. That period has ended, but check Disruptions before you travel in case works return.
During those works, the Zoo said the nearest replacement stops were on Poplar Road, about a 6-minute (400 metres) walk from the Zoo or a 1-minute (50 metres) walk from Royal Park Station. Bus route 505 from Moonee Ponds to Melbourne University stops outside the Zoo.
Public transport in Victoria is half price until 1 January 2027, as set out in our myki fares guide.
Where can I park?
Zoos Victoria says car parking next to the Zoo is $2 for a five-hour ticket and is run by Melbourne City Council. Display your ticket on the dashboard, because parking officers regularly monitor the area. To use a bay reserved for people with disabilities, you need to display a valid disability parking permit. The Zoo suggests downloading the EasyPark app in advance to pay from your phone. Zoos Victoria gives this rate; check the meter and signs for the current rate.
During peak times such as school and public holidays, the Zoo says its parking attendants will try to get visitors parked and into the Zoo as quickly as possible, and asks drivers to follow their instructions when it is busy.
Other parking within walking distance
- Melbourne Sport Centre, 10 Brens Drive, Parkville: enter Brens Drive via Elliot Avenue; parking is subject to availability, and it is about an 8-minute walk to the Rail Gate entrance.
- Local streets: several streets around the Zoo have on-street parking, mostly on The Avenue and Royal Parade.
- Ikon Park, 400 Royal Parade, Carlton North: limited parking, subject to availability, about a 15-minute walk to the Main Gate entrance.
Quick plan
- Not on Saturday 24 October: the Zoo is closed that day.
- By train: Upfield line to Royal Park Station, then cross the road to the Rail Gate.
- By tram: route 58 to Stop 26 or Stop 27, after checking Disruptions.
- By car: $2 for five hours next to the Zoo, or walk from Brens Drive or Ikon Park.
- Questions about tickets and bookings: 1300 966 784.
Plan your trip in the Journey Planner. Zoos Victoria suggests entering your starting address in the From box and Melbourne Zoo as a landmark in the To box.
Sources
- Zoos Victoria — Getting to Melbourne Zoo (checked 21 October 2026)
- Zoos Victoria — Melbourne Zoo, plan your visit (checked 21 October 2026)
- Transport Victoria — Public transport now half price for everyone (22 May 2026)
Featured image: The Royal Park – Zoo sign on Platform 1 (photo: PEPSI697 / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Zoos Victoria or Melbourne City Council. Opening days, fares and parking rates can change; check the official pages above and the signs on site.