Great Melbourne Activities: The Best Things to do in Werribee

When it comes to great Melbourne activities, you can’t look past Werribee. There’s a huge range of things to do in Werribee, Victoria and best of all they’re all located within a few minutes of each other.

Where is Werribee? Werribee, Melbourne is just a 45 minute train ride west of the CBD. It’s easily accessible by car and public transport making it a great day trip for those visiting from overseas or interstate.

So, what is there to do in Werribee? Well, if historic mansions, high tea, zoo safaris, the beach or Victoria’s largest rose garden appeal, you’ll want to discover why Werribee is one of the best things to do in Wyndham and the perfect Melbourne day trip.

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THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN WERRIBEE

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Where is Werribee, Victoria?

Werribee is a suburb of Melbourne, around 30 minutes west of the CBD. It’s a historic area, so it is more of a region than a traditional ‘suburb’. Originally it was a township in its own right

It’s reachable by freeway, train and bus, making it an accessible day trip from Melbourne.

Things to do in Werribee

There’s a wide range of places to visit in Werribee. Many Werribee activities are free or low cost. Werribee, Australia is also conveniently located to the Melbourne CBD and provides a large range of sights to see which will keep you busy for the whole day.

In Werribee, things to do centre on on the outdoors so make sure to check the weather and plan accordingly. The region is known for its farming and historic charm and subsequently offers great food, beautiful scenery and a rich history. 

When planning what to do in Werribee consider the time you’ll need to explore each attraction fully. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the region is popular during school holidays so allow a little extra time. If you visit mid week however you may almost have some of the attractions to yourself which is an added bonus!

Everything you need to know about visiting Werribee Park

Werribee Park, Victoria is one of the most unique Melbourne day trips. The site consists of 4 key areas. The Mansion and gardens, The Rose Garden, The Zoo  and Shadowfax Winery. The site was originally the property of the Chirnside family. The expansive estate was bequeathed to the State Government and today it has become one of the most popular places to go in Werribee.

Excluding the zoo, the site is 10 hectares, so allow a couple of hours to properly explore. The park, Werribee is an open space so make sure you dress for the weather. Picnics are permitted, and there are barbeques on site.

Werribee Park events like the annual Lost Lands festival can mean closure of some areas of the park. Check for any closures directly with Parks Victoria.

Best of all the grounds are free to explore, so why not put it on your list of things to do this weekend!

The grounds are open:

9am – 6:30pm (Oct – Apr)

9am – 5:30pm ( May -Aug)

Werribee Park Address: K Road, Gate 2, Werribee 

READ | Love history? Find out more of Werribee’s history at the Werribee District Historical Society and Museum.

READ | Visit Werribee as part of your Aussie Road Trip

Go on safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo is famous worldwide for its conservation efforts and unique African safari experience. Often known as the ‘Werribee Safari Zoo’ this open range zoo is a combination of African village, traditional zoo and safari. 

The Werribee Zoo safari is a unique experience which has you hopping aboard a safari bus and heading for the ‘African Savannah’. The safari takes around 40 minutes and takes you up close to wild African animals in a savannah like environment. Expect to see giraffes, rhinos and zebras in the closest environment to the wild as possible. The safari experience is included in the Werribee zoo entry fee.

Werribee Park Zoo regularly run special events to promote wildlife conservation and understanding of African culture. The zoo features zones such as an African Village and on the school holidays and weekends this area comes alive with performers and cultural experiences such as African drumming. Werribee Open Range Zoo tickets are fully inclusive, so unless you’d like to buy food or souvenirs all of the experiences are included. 

Werribee Zoo parking is free. It’s also within walking distance of the Mansion and Rose garden should you wish to park once and explore on foot. 

READ | More about about visiting Werribee Zoo

How to get to Werribee Zoo

The Werribee Park Zoo address is Gate 2, K Road Werribee.

How to get to Werribee Zoo. The Werribee zoo location is easily reached by car or public transport. There is also ample parking on site, even during peak periods.

Getting to Werribee Zoo on public transport involves taking the train to Werribee station and then the 403 bus to Werribee Zoo. 

Werribee Zoo prices and hours

Current Werribee Zoo prices (as at October 2019) are:

Adult: $38

Child: (4-15 years) Monday – Friday $19

Concession: $29

Werribee Zoo admission is free for children under 4 and free for all children on weekends, public holidays and Victorian school holidays.

Werribee Zoo opening hours are 9am-5pm every day of the year.  Werribee Zoo hours don’t alter for public holidays and in fact the zoo is a popular place to visit on days such as Christmas. Admissions to Werribee Park Zoo are until 3:30pm so plan to visit earlier in the day.

BOOK | Beat the queues and buy your  Werribee Open Range Zoo tickets before you go.

Explore Werribee Mansion

Werribee Mansion is located within the parklands of the Werrribee park gardens. It it is the former home of Thomas Chrinside and is open for tour. The Mansion Werribee is divided into two distinct areas.

Firstly there is Werribee Park Mansion side which shows how the house looked during the Chirnside times and also areas that were used as a monastary. Additionally, there is the Werribee Park Hotel, a premium, old world hotel and wedding venue.

Werribee Mansion tours

The Werribee Mansion, Victoria is one of Melbourne’s most impressive homes. The Chirnside family were one of the wealthiest of their time and this is reflected in the majesty of the mansion.

Featuring impressive stone columns, a turret and a multi storey stained glass window frames the staircase. Inside the mansion, many rooms are set out with the family’s original furniture and possessions. 

Werribee Mansion tours are self guided. Simply collect an audio guide from the admission’s desk.

Werribee Mansion open hours are :

10am – 5pm (October – April)

10am – 4pm Mon- Fri and 10am – 5pm Weekends (May – September)

Accommodation at Werribee Park Mansion

Werribee Park Hotel, is one of the most beautiful accommodation options in Victoria. It’s only 30 minutes away from the CBD by car, so it’s popular with those visiting Melbourne. Many local’s also enjoy a ‘spa weekend’ and take the time to relax surrounded by old world charm and the beautiful Werribee park gardens.

In addition to accommodation and a beautiful spa, High tea Werribee Mansion is a delicious way to spend an afternoon. It is certainly the most premium Werribee accommodation available.

BOOK | A night (or two) at Werribee Park Mansion

Werribee park gardens

The historic mansion sits on 10 hectares of gardens. Make sure to explore the grotto, lakes, manicured gardens and seasonal plantings. There’s something to enjoy all year round. The beautiful gardens and serene environment make the mansion the most unique Werribee hotel.

The Werribee Mansion address is also Gate 2, K Road, Werribee. Follow the signs past the zoo. Park in the gravel carpark walk through the iron gates. It’s a 2-3 minute walk through the garden before you’ll see the mansion.

Experience the impressive gardens at Werribee Rose Garden

The Victoria State rose garden is better known as the Werribee rose garden. It’s located adjacent to the mansion, so it’s easy to explore both on your visit. Werribee park rose garden spans 5 hectares and is home to over 5000 roses.

You can see flowers in the gardens from early October until late July. The best time to visit Werribee rose garden however depends on which blooms you’d like to see. In November (Spring), you can enjoy the first flush of blooms. The once flowering spring varieties are at their peak. If you’d like to see masses of flowers, come in March when the autumn roses flower en masse.

The Victorian State Rose Garden opening hours

The Werribee rose flower garden is one of the prettiest things to do in Werribee for free. The site however, is maintained by volunteers, so if you have some spare change, make sure to drop it in the donations box at the entry.

The rose garden Werribee address is the same as the mansion on K roas in Werribee. 

The rose garden at Werribee opening hours are:

9:30am – 5pm (April – September)

9:30am – 6pm (October – March)

READ | Learn more about the rose garden by visiting their site.

Stop for lunch and a wine at Shadowfax Winery

Located just behind Werribee Park Mansion lies Shadow Fax Winery. Specialising in boutique wines, the winery is one of the best places to go in Werribee for a relaxed lunch with family and friends.

As its located on the same grounds as the mansion and Werribee park rose garden, so it’s easy to stop in for a drink whilst exploring the grounds. 

The cellar door and winery are open daily from 11am-5pm. Kitchen open hours may vary, so visit their website prior to visiting for accurate information.

READ | Love wine? Read post about wine tours in the Yarra Valley

PLAN | Visit the Shadowfax winery website

Make the most of the sun at Werribee beach and Wydham Marina

If you’re wondering what to do in Werribee today, why not visit the marina?

Werribee Marina is located just a few minutes from Werribee Park in Werribee South. Officially known as Wyndham Harbour the precinct features restaurants, a marina and luxury homes.

Stop for an icy pole (popsicle or iced lolly) and talk a walk along the marina before heading to Werribee South beach

Werribee beach is just a few minutes drive from Wyndham Harbour and the best spot for swimming in the area. 

When it comes to things to do in Werribee, school holidays can mean many Werribee attractions are very busy. The beach however features a long stretch of sand, plenty of parking and a great play area.

The beach is sheltered from rough water, so it’s a safe place to swim. It’s kind of a local secret, so you will avoid the crowds and enjoy a relaxing time by the water.

There are barbeques on site, so pack a pincic. The area is also popular with local wildlife and if you’re lucky you night even see a pelican or two.

Werribee South beach is located on Beach road, Werribee.

PLAN | Read our guide for what to wear in Australia in the summer

Enjoy a splash at Werribee water park

River Park Werribee is one of the best kids activities Werribee has to offer. Located within the Riverwalk estate this park turns from normal playground to splashpad come the sumemr months.

This exciting water park in Werribee is also one of the things to do in Werribee for free. 

The splash park features timer and button operated water play. Additionally children can pump water, open and close sluice gates to channel water through a maze. It’s suitable for babies all the way up to upper primary.

Older children will enjoy the basketball courts and open play spaces.

In addition to the splash park, the playground also features barbeques, feature gardens and traditional play equipment.

PLAN | The water play area operates seasonally so check online before you visit.

Werribee train and driving options

Werribee is incredibly easy to get to. Werribee to Melbourne is just 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by train.  You can easily catch the train to Werribee Zoo and then hop on the bus to continue the journey. 

The Werribee to Melbourne train can be caught from any Melbourne CBD station and runs approximately every half hour. Werribee train times can be found here.

By car, take the M1 over the Westgate Bridge. Follow the M1 to Duncan’s road, c108 in Werribee South. Take exit 19 from M1. 

All of the best Werribee activities are just a short ride away

READ | Our guide to driving in Australia as a tourist.

PLAN | Look up the Werribee train timetable

Great Melbourne Activities: More things to do in Wyndham

Wyndham is the region in which Werribee lies. Werribee is the main township within the city of Wyndham, however it isn’t the only place to have fun in the area. Why not try these additional activities whilst you’re in the area.

• See historic planes and visit the aviation museum at the Point Cook RAAF base
• Visit the wetlands at see the Point Cook homestead at Point Cook  Coastal Park
• Go hiking at Werribee Gorge
• Take a stroll along the Werribee river

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