Melbourne lockdown lifted: Werribee Open Range Zoo reopens with visitor cap
Werribee Open Range Zoo will open its gates to visitors later this week, but guests are being warned to book ahead because visitor numbers will be strictly capped.
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Werribee Open Range Zoo will welcome back visitors as of Thursday to the delight of animals and staff.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Monday that Melbourne’s tough lockdown measures would ease as of Wednesday, paving the way for guests to get up close and personal again with their favourite native and exotic wildlife.
Zoos Victoria chief executive Dr Jenny Gray said the green light to open came just in time for zoo enthusiasts to meet some of their cutest newest additions.
A fruitful spring had brought a number of new members to the zoo family across all of Zoo Victoria’s sites, she said.
“We’ve had an absolute boom of babies at all our properties. Healesville Sanctuary’s koala joey has just begun venturing out of mum’s pouch and there are kangaroo joeys,” Dr Gray said.
“We have baby blackbuck and baby oryx running around the savanna at Werribee Open Range Zoo that visitors can see from the open aired safari bus, and the playful otter pups and snow leopard cubs are growing so fast at Melbourne Zoo.”
Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary will also throw open their gates from October 29.
Visitor caps will be applied at all sites, with Werribee Zoo accepting 1500 visitors to their day sessions and 1500 visitors in the evening throughout November.
Melbourne Zoo will accept 2500 visitors during the day and 2500 visitors during the evening, while Healesville Sanctuary will cater for up to 1500 visitors each day.
All indoor areas at each of the three zoos will remain closed in line with government health advice, and visitors aged 12 and over must wear masks while visiting the zoo.
Gift shops, food and refreshment stores will remain open for cashless purchases.
Guests are encouraged to book their visit by visiting the Zoos Victoria website.
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