Melbourne's new mega elephant haven makes a splash just in time for school holidays.
Werribee Open Range Zoo has just upped its animal game with the grand opening of the massive Elephant Trail, giving Melbourne’s west bragging rights to one of the most impressive elephant habitats on the planet.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos cut the ribbon on the sprawling 21-hectare wonderland that now houses nine Asian elephants in a space literally the size of the entire Melbourne Zoo. The new digs feature two enormous pools connected to the Werribee Recycled Water Plant through a 2.5km pipeline pumping a whopping 150 million litres of recycled water.
Werribee Elephant Trail
- Now open to the public
- School holidays – Kids under 16 go free
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The $88 million government-funded project has created a stunning walking trail that lets visitors get properly up close with the herd while they roam, swim and generally live their best elephant lives. Despite the enormous scale, clever design means families can still spot these gentle giants from various vantage points throughout the site.
These majestic trunked residents have been quietly settling into their new postcode over recent weeks, acclimatising to the west side lifestyle before their public debut. With perfect timing, they’re now ready for their close-up just as the school holidays kick off.
The government’s Kids Go Free program means anyone under 16 can visit without paying a cent during school holidays, weekends and public holidays – not just at Werribee but also at Melbourne Zoo, Kyabram Fauna Park and Healesville Sanctuary. It’s a budget-friendly day out that’s impossible to ignore for cash-conscious parents looking to entertain restless kids.
“The beautiful new Elephant Trail makes the Werribee Open Range Zoo even better, and it’s open just in time for kids to visit free these school holidays,” said Premier Allan, clearly chuffed with the project’s completion.
Environment Minister Dimopoulos added that visitors “will go wild for this new experience” while Zoos Victoria CEO Dr Jenny Gray emphasised the world-leading animal welfare standards built into the design.
The new habitat represents a significant tourism boost for Melbourne’s west, with Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari celebrating the “super exciting” addition to the region’s attractions.
Tickets and further information here.
