Visitor Services
Visitor services include a licensed bistro, take-away food outlets, gift and souvenir shopping, conference and function facilities, wheelchairs, pushers, picnic pavilions, special animal feeding times, keeper presentations and carousel rides.

Free Guided Tours
Friends of the Zoos volunteers and guides answer visitors' questions at the Information Office near the Elliott Avenue entrance, and offer free guided tours of the zoo. For large or organised groups you will need to pre-book tours. A minimum seven days notice is required for guided tour bookings. Impromptu tours may be available on the day (subject to availability) for family / small groups - enquiries can be made at the Information Office. Tours operate between 10.00am and 3.00pm seven days a week (except school and public holidays).

To book please call the Friends of the Zoos Administration Office on (03) 9285 9351 (Office hours are 9.00am - 4.30pm Mon - Thur) or fax your booking enquiry to (03) 9285 9475.

Guide Mobile Tours
The Guide Mobile is an electric cart designed to assist with accessibility through the expansive Zoo grounds for elderly and disabled passengers. It can carry up to three mobility impaired passengers at a time, and travels at walking pace so that assistants or family/friends can tour with it on foot.

The Guide Mobile is operated by Friends of the Zoos volunteer guides and can be booked to run between 10.00am-3.00pm daily (except school holidays and public holidays).

Free tours run for approximately one hour and must be pre-booked by phoning the Friends of the Zoos Administration Office on (03) 9285 9351 (Office hours are 9.00am - 4.30pm Mon - Thur) or faxed to (03) 9285 9475. A minimum 14 days notice is required for Guide Mobile bookings. Operating Terms and Conditions apply and are available on request or when a booking is made.

Licensed Bistro and Take-Away Food
The Lakeside Bistro is open from 9.00am daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Take-away outlets are open from 9.30am–4.30pm daily.

The Zoo also offers conference facilities for large and small meetings and seminars, as well as special after-hours functions in the grounds of the Zoo, which can incorporate tours of all or part of the Zoo.

Zoo Shop
Visit our Zoo Shops, located near the main and rail exits, and discover the extensive range of gifts and souvenirs such as T-shirts, handmade jewellery, toys, CDs, ties and books. Gift shops are also located at the Lakeside Bistro and at Trail of the Elephants. The Trail of the Elephants shop offers a unique range of elephant souvenirs and Asian handicrafts. All profits contribute to the care and upkeep of the animals.

Carousel
Melbourne Zoo's Carousel was built in 1878 in England and imported to Australia in the 1880s by an ancestor of Dorrie Freeman. The Carousel travelled the show circuit until 1963 before it finally arrived at Melbourne Zoo. Heritage Victoria oversaw the restorations of the Carousel in 2005 and it now resides and operates in the Carousel Park at the Zoo.

Operating hours are 11.30am–2.00pm during weekends, public holidays and school holidays (closing time may vary depending on visitor demand). Rides are $3 each (GST inclusive).

Wheelchairs, Pushers and Lockers
All Melbourne Zoo paths are suitable for wheelchairs and pushers which can be hired at the Zoo.

Wheelchairs: free hire, photographic identification required as security.
Bookings essential. Tel: (03) 9285 9300.

Pushers: available for hire from the Zoo Shop at the main visitor entrance.
Cost: $15 hire and photographic identification required as security.

Lockers: are available for hire at both entrances. $2 hire with $5 fully refundable deposit.

All prices are GST inclusive.

First Aid room and facilities are available.