A suburban area 32km from Melbourne, known for its safari-style zoo, mansion from the 1870s, and rose garden with over 5,000 varieties of flowers.
Located 32 kilometers southwest of Melbourne, Werribee has grown from a small agricultural settlement into an active suburban center. Walk through 60 rooms of Victorian-era furniture in the 1870s Italianate-style Werribee Park Mansion, watch giraffes and zebras roam across open savannah at the Open Range Zoo, or smell thousands of blooming roses at the Victoria State Rose Garden. The Werribee River winds through the town, creating calm spots where you'll see local birds and native plants along walking trails.
Inside Werribee Park Mansion
Step into Victorian-era grandeur at Werribee Park Mansion. Built between 1874 and 1877, this Italianate-style residence lets you explore 60 rooms filled with original furniture and decorations from the 1870s. Walk through the formal gardens to find an ornamental lake and a hand-crafted grotto. Take self-guided tours to see the mansion at your own pace.
Wildlife at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Watch rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and other African animals move across 225 hectares of savannah-like landscape at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. The zoo opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Join a guided safari tour to get within meters of grazing animals and learn about their behavior from zoo rangers.
Victoria State Rose Garden
Walk among 5,000 roses blooming from October to May in the Victoria State Rose Garden. Follow paths that form the shape of a Tudor rose across five hectares of land. The garden welcomes visitors every day, with extended hours during summer from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Museums and Aviation History
Explore Australian military aviation at the RAAF Museum in Point Cook. Located at Australia's first air force base from 1921, the museum displays military aircraft from multiple eras. Visit the B-24 Memorial Hangar to see one of eight remaining World War II bombers worldwide, restored through 250,000 hours of volunteer work. The hangar opens Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Along the Werribee River
The Werribee River Trail connects Comben Drive to Riverbend Historical Park in a 4.5-kilometer path. Walk or cycle for about an hour while watching local birds and discovering public art installations. Climb to the K Road Cliffs for views across the river valley and surrounding landscape.
Transportation and Access
Catch regular trains between Melbourne and Werribee on the Werribee line. Local buses connect different areas of the suburb, with main stops at Werribee station and Pacific Werribee. Cyclists can use the Federation Trail or Werribee River Trail to move around the area.
