THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Combine an African-style safari with Victorian-era grandeur on this full-day tour to Werribee. Explore restored rooms and formal gardens at Werribee Mansion, then meet giraffes, zebras and lions on a guided safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Combine an African-style safari with Victorian-era grandeur on this full-day tour to Werribee. Explore restored rooms and formal gardens at Werribee Mansion, then meet giraffes, zebras and lions on a guided safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
You step out of the coach into an expanse of grass and clipped hedges; the air carries the low, distant calls of exotic animals and the formal hush of a 19th-century estate. Bright giraffe necks silhouette against Melbourne’s wide southern sky while, a short walk away, a chandelier-lit drawing room keeps the stories of pastoral Victoria intact.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Rick's Tours Australia · Werribee, Victoria
You step out of the coach into an expanse of grass and clipped hedges; the air carries the low, distant calls of exotic animals and the formal hush of a 19th-century estate. Bright giraffe necks silhouette against Melbourne’s wide southern sky while, a short walk away, a chandelier-lit drawing room keeps the stories of pastoral Victoria intact.
Werribee Mansion was built by the Chirnside family in the late 1800s and remains one of Australia’s best-preserved pastoral homesteads—rooms restored to period detail, gardens shaped by Victorian tastes. Geologically the region sits on flat basalt plains left by ancient lava flows, which created the fertile soils that supported Victoria’s grazing fortunes.
Across the lawn, Werribee Open Range Zoo re-creates African savanna at a human scale: open paddocks, mixed-species exhibits, and a safari ride that loops through herds of zebra and giraffe. The zoo plays a practical role in breeding and conservation programs for endangered species while the mansion interprets colonial social history.
Practical guidance: the full tour runs about seven hours with included admissions; allow comfortable time for the 40-minute safari ride plus independent exploration of enclosures and gardens. Wear sturdy walking shoes and sun protection—sections of both sites are open and exposed. Families will find the itinerary accessible for children aged five and up, with toilets and café options on-site.
Plan for midday light and crowds by starting with the mansion visit, then moving to the zoo for afternoon animal talks and the cooler hours of the safari ride. Public transport to Werribee is regular from Melbourne and parking is available if you’re driving.
Yes—this tour includes admission to Werribee Mansion and Werribee Open Range Zoo, plus the 40-minute safari ride.
Yes—recommended for ages 5 and up; facilities and paths accommodate families, with toilets and café service on site.
The itinerary is approximately seven hours in total, with free time at the zoo to explore exhibits and attend animal talks.
Much of the mansion and zoo offers accessible routes, but some uneven paths and safari vehicles may have limitations—check with the operator for specific accessibility needs.
Rick's Tours Australia operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step out of the coach into an expanse of grass and clipped hedges; the air carries the low, distant calls of exotic animals and the formal hush of a 19th-century estate. Bright giraffe necks silhouette against Melbourne’s wide southern sky while, a short walk away, a chandelier-lit drawing room keeps the stories of pastoral Victoria intact.
You step out of the coach into an expanse of grass and clipped hedges; the air carries the low, distant calls of exotic animals and the formal hush of a 19th-century estate. Bright giraffe necks silhouette against Melbourne’s wide southern sky while, a short walk away, a chandelier-lit drawing room keeps the stories of pastoral Victoria intact.
Werribee Mansion was built by the Chirnside family in the late 1800s and remains one of Australia’s best-preserved pastoral homesteads—rooms restored to period detail, gardens shaped by Victorian tastes. Geologically the region sits on flat basalt plains left by ancient lava flows, which created the fertile soils that supported Victoria’s grazing fortunes.
Across the lawn, Werribee Open Range Zoo re-creates African savanna at a human scale: open paddocks, mixed-species exhibits, and a safari ride that loops through herds of zebra and giraffe. The zoo plays a practical role in breeding and conservation programs for endangered species while the mansion interprets colonial social history.
Practical guidance: the full tour runs about seven hours with included admissions; allow comfortable time for the 40-minute safari ride plus independent exploration of enclosures and gardens. Wear sturdy walking shoes and sun protection—sections of both sites are open and exposed. Families will find the itinerary accessible for children aged five and up, with toilets and café options on-site.
Plan for midday light and crowds by starting with the mansion visit, then moving to the zoo for afternoon animal talks and the cooler hours of the safari ride. Public transport to Werribee is regular from Melbourne and parking is available if you’re driving.