Melbourne Zoo parking: Availability and cost

Parking at Melbourne Zoo is not the nightmare you might imagine it to be. There are plenty of parking spaces in Royal Park, and tickets cost $2 for five hours.

Melbourne Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in Melbourne, but many potential visitors are put off by not quite knowing how to get there.

To reserve your Melbourne Zoo tickets in advance, click here.

Where is Melbourne Zoo?

The zoo is in the not especially well-known suburb of Parkville, to the west of Carlton. Melbourne Zoo is inside Royal Park – it was modelled on London Zoo being inside Regent’s Park – and by far the best way of getting there is by public transport.

From Flinders Street Station, the Upfield Line stops at Royal Park Station. Alternatively, you can take the number 58 tram which runs from West Coburg to Toorak. The number 58 tram stops on William Street in the city centre.

How to do Melbourne IN STYLE

If there’s a special occasion while you’re in Melbourne, consider splashing out on these memory-making experiences…

An indulgent Yarra Valley food and wine tour – with lunch at Yering Station.
A sunrise hot air balloon flight across the city – followed by a champagne breakfast.
See the city by helicopter.
A private Great Ocean Road tour – with an early start to beat the crowds.
Tandem skydive from 14,000ft – and land on the beach.

Melbourne Zoo parking spaces

However, unusually for key Melbourne attractions, Melbourne Zoo is surprisingly accessible by car. If you’re driving, there are large car parks around the zoo. They can sometimes fill during busy periods, in which case you’ll have to chance your arm in the surrounding streets. The Avenue and Royal Parade are your best bets for finding a space.

But most of the time, you should be able to get parked at Melbourne Zoo, and parking attendants usher drivers towards the available spots.

There are also disabled parking spaces near the front entrance, for those with an Australian Disability Parking Permit.

👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇

Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

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Melbourne Zoo parking rates

The other big surprise is that Melbourne Zoo parking is surprisingly cheap. It costs just $2 for a five hour ticket.

A Melbourne Zoo entry ticket costs $42 and should be booked online in advance. You can save money by buying a two day or three day city card, which covers entrance to multiple attractions including the zoo, the Melbourne Skydeck, a Yarra River cruise and a Melbourne Cricket Ground tour.

Another alternative is to do the special Australian wildlife tour at Melbourne Zoo. This costs $89, including the entry ticket.

14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne

Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
A genuinely excellent street art tour, led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅)
The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens. (💲 Great value 💲)
Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour.
Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Zoo, the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium.