As an attempt to familiarize our kids with some of the unique wildlife in Australia, we decided to take them to the Werribee Open Range Zoo, just outside of Melbourne. We quickly realized that it was more of a lesson on African animals, rather than Australian animals, but it was a great day out anyways.

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This zoo was unique to any other zoo we had been to because of the Safari Tour. We boarded a safari bus where we saw rhinos, giraffes, zebras and many other animals roaming freely on the open savannah.

On board, waiting for the safari tour to start.

On board, waiting for the safari tour to start.

Up close and personal with the rhinos.

Up close and personal with the rhinos.

We followed the giraffes down the road.

We followed the giraffes down the road.

After the Safari tour was over, we took a walk through the African village and spotted some lions, cheetahs, monkeys, wild dogs and many more.

Saying hi to the monkeys

Saying hi to the monkeys.

Can you spot the meerkat?

Can you spot the meerkat?

Finally, we made it to the Australian journey where we looked for the highly anticipated Australian animals. In the end, we could not find any bandicoots in the bandicoot hideout, we spotted 2 kangeroos, 1 sleeping koola and experienced a very close encounter with an emu.

Alexis was most excited to finally see a koala bear in real life!

Alexis was most excited to finally see a koala bear in real life! Can you see it?

Although the zoo was not exactly what we were hoping for, the safari experience made for a fantastic trip to the zoo. The day was not complete without a stop at the playground.

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Time to go home…Reid needs a nap…