Royal Melbourne Zoological Garden - the oldest zoo in Australia, based in the distant 1862 at the Royal Park. Today, on an area of ​​22 ha are located more than 320 species, representing not only native Australian fauna, and animals from around the world. It is interesting that initially contained the usual zoo pets brought from other continents - here they were acclimatized. And only since 1870, the administration of the zoo began to acquire monkeys, tigers, lions and other exotic animals. As soon as the growing collection of the zoo, and increased the number of its visitors - it had to equip the territory in accordance with the needs of not only animals, but also people: there were picnic areas, wooden decks, open-air cages, etc.

Great role in a zoo playing its research and educational programs, in particular, there are free to visit the section for students who are interested in wildlife conservation.

Many of the animals living in the zoo, distributed in the corresponding climatic zones. For example, "Asian Jungle" you can see Sumatran tigers, elephants and Oriental otters. "Wild Australia" introduces the kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, echidnas, emus and other inhabitants of the "green" of the continent. The "Savannah" feel at ease zebras, giraffes, ostriches, guinea fowl and African. Not without audience favorites - lions, leopards, cheetahs and numerous small cats - servals, caracals, binturogov.

Since the 1930s, the zoo operates a large aviary for birds of the coast where you can see the southern cassowary, Brolga, parrots, cockatoos and other birds living in Australia.

There is also the inhabitants of the deep sea and coasts - seals, penguins, pelicans and stingrays.

The interest to tourists are some of the historic buildings of the zoo, such as "Elephant House", listed as a national heritage. Today it is possible to stay overnight in the tour "and growling snores" during which there is a unique opportunity to see some rare nocturnal animals.