- Duration
- 1 day, ~135 km by car (≈ 6 h 39 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- With kids
- Transport
- drive, walk
- Start
- Werribee Open Range Zoo
- Finish
- You Yangs: easy Big Rock loop, 3.2 km
- Pace
- moderate pace
- Best time
- Weekends, Victorian public holidays and school holidays: under-16s get into the zoo free. Do the safari in the morning while the animals are active
- Budget per adult
- ≈A$70.60 per adult (zoo from A$58 + mansion A$12.60). Under-16s enter the zoo free on weekends, Victorian public holidays and school holidaysPrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026
Getting there
Go by car. Werribee and the You Yangs are a driving day.
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
1. Werribee Open Range Zoo~3 h at the stop
A savannah-style zoo: rhinos, giraffes and zebras graze the plains while you ride the safari bus that's included with entry.
Worth knowing: The zoo opened in 1983 on former Chirnside pastoral land so the herds could live on the open plain. Werribee Park mansion stands next door.
Tip: Open daily 9am to 5pm, last entry 3:30pm. Adults from A$58; on weekdays children pay too. The safari bus is included; the Deluxe Safari is a paid add-on.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 5 min · 2 km
2. Werribee Park Mansion~1 h at the stop
An 1870s Italianate mansion built by the Chirnside pastoral barons: 60 rooms of Victorian splendour in parkland.
Tip: The mansion is open daily 10am to 4pm, last entry 3:30pm. Adult A$12.60, child 4–15 A$9.10, family A$39.50. Safari first, then the house.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 4 min · 0.3 km
3. Victoria State Rose Garden (free)~30 min at the stop
Thousands of roses planted in the shape of a giant Tudor rose: free, right beside the mansion.
Tip: Roses bloom November to April: spring flowering peaks in November, with a second autumn flush in March.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 30 min · 30 km
4. You Yangs: easy Big Rock loop, 3.2 km~1 h 30 min at the stop
Granite hills rising over the plain with views to the bay: the Big Rock loop is easy enough for young kids.
Tip: Park gates open 7am to 8pm. Scan the gum trees: wild koalas live in the You Yangs. For a harder climb, Flinders Peak is 450 steps up.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.