Melbourne Zoo, Bacchus Marsh, VIC Australia

Over 250 species from around the world can be found in the beautifully landscaped settings of Melbourne Zoo, just five minutes from the city centre.Stroll through Asian and African rainforests, where tigers roam through the trees and monkeys swing from the branches, then take the time to stop and see eye to eye with beautiful orang-utans in their special elevated exhibit. Explore the award-winning Trail of the Elephants or view koalas, platypus, kangaroos, wombats and other unique native wildlife in the Australian bush setting.Melbourne Zoo is constantly improving and adding new facilities. The newest developments are Wild Sea, which showcases Victoria's diverse coastal environment, exhibiting Victoria's iconic Little Penguins, Australian Fur Seals, and other wildlife native to Victorian waters and Baboon Lookout which opened in September 2011 providing a new home to the Zoo's Hamadryas Baboons.The birth of the Zoo's Asian Elephant calves Mali and Ongaurd was an important step forward in the new regional conservation breeding program for this endangered species and provides a dynamic viewing experience, with two active and playful youngsters in the family group, effective Ambassadors for their wild cousins.Keeper talks and feeding times are great opportunities for visitors to find out more about the fascinating world of wildlife and the conservation programs Melbourne Zoo supports in the wild, as well as the community conservation campaigns which empower visitors to take direct action on behalf of wildlife. Excellent conference facilities are ideal for a range of meetings, seminars and special after-hours functions, which can include experiences in the Zoo grounds.The Zoo is open daily from 9am. Closing time is usually 5pm, but on selected summer weekend evenings the Zoo stays open until 9.30pm for the Zoo Twilights concert series.