When:  Open 9am – 5pm daily.

Where: Melbourne Zoo, Elliott Ave, Parkville (9285 9300).

What: Keeper Kids is an amazing new facility/space where toddlers and primary aged children can imagine and explore the different roles of a Zoo Keeper.  As you enter the main entrance of the Zoo, the Keeper Kids is located directly in front of you to the right (it used to be the library).

Cost:  A single adult membership is $88 (plus $15 joining fee) and children under 15 years of age get in free on that membership. Additional adult family members are $75 – you have to show ID with your membership, so it’s not transferable.  On the upside you can go whenever you like and you also get free entry into Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Taronga Zoo (and many others nationally) as well as discounts on stuff.

Otherwise for an adult the entry is $25.40, under 4’s are free, kids 4 and over are $12.60 during the school week – but during weekends and holidays all children are now free!

Everyone knows about Melbourne Zoo and you all know how fantastic it is – so I am preaching to the converted.  But has it been awhile since you last went?

This was Charlie’s (3) first trip where he was old enough to appreciate the excursion.  And one of his friends in our little party is even lucky enough to have a Zoo family membership – and even they hadn’t been for ages.  I know after this trip though, his mum vowed they’d be back every other week as the kids just had an absolute ball.

They tore through the plantations (“jungle and secret way mum”) and were mesmerised by elephants and monkeys – Charlie was quite taken by the baby animals we saw and talked about them again on the way home.. and baby elephants and baby monkeys are very cute!  However, the highlight of his visit was seeing the elephant urinate – how delightful.

I think we need to do at least three more visits to see everything on offer… maybe I need a membership!!

I think for a moment I almost talked myself into needing a membership.. but on reflection would I really manage more than three more trips in the next 12 months to any of the zoos listed??  Hmm close call – maybe if I had the membership I would be more inclined to go more often, which could only be a good thing right??  I have another week to get my membership form in if I want to minus the cost of my recent ticket from the total… hmmmm, maybe I should ask the elephant, he looked so wise.  [editors note: we have had membership for three years + and it has been a fantastic investment!]

For information about Keeper Kids click here.

For information about Growing Wild click here.

For information about membership click here.

For information about Lemur Island click here.