As you drive off the M1 four lane highway that runs along the coast line south of Melbourne, following the signs to the open range zoo, the landscape changes dramatically from industrial and housing to wide open spaces. All of a sudden you see rhinos in the distance and giraffes, elegant and distainfully reaching to chew leaves from a gum tree. Werribbee is 200 acres surrounding the Werribee river and focuses on African, Asian, and Australian animals in an open range zoo.The Safari tour we took was 50 minutes and it just goes so quickly. We saw elands, meerkats, cheetah, vervet monkeys and serval cats on display in wonderful exhibits, linked by a series of waterways on the African Walking Trail. Australian animals include the kangaroo, wallaby, koala bear, and emus. There is a volcanic walk, and after the tour the Safari Shop Bistro offers great food or you can have a picnic. Large tours have barbecues catered for.
Adjacent to the zoo is the National Equestrian Centre and Polo Field, as well as Werribee Mansion which is an 150 year old seminary with a new hotel attached. It is very easy to spend a day exploring the area and the sea is just 10 minutes east.