Yooralla's Big Day Out at the Zoo - Sold out
The Big Day Out on Thursday 14 March has now sold out. If you have a ticket to the event, you can find everything you need to know below.
No further tickets are available for Big Day Out 2024
We are so excited to welcome everyone together for our annual client event – the Big Day Out.
The Big Day Out promises to be an inclusive and accessible fun-filled day, with special Yooralla party activities mixed in with all the usual zoo fun. You can do your best lion impression with old and new friends at the photo booth before you head to the Lionkeeper’s talk – let’s hope they don’t mistake you as one of their own!
Event details
Date: Thursday 14 March
Time: 10am to 3pm
Location: The Leopard Lodge, Melbourne Zoo
Enter via Rail Gate entrance on Poplar Road, Parkville VIC 3052
The important stuff
Tickets for the 2024 Big Day Out at the Zoo have now SOLD OUT.
Tickets include lunch, all Zoo tours and activities. Coffee and other drinks can be purchased at the Zoo’s Giraffe Café which accepts cash or card.
If you’re planning to attend the Big Day Out, you must have pre-registered. This includes groups (i.e., Community Hubs) and Zoo Members.
If you're bringing a support person, they must be registered too.
No tickets are available at the gate.
Event program
We will have an action-packed program of events happening at the Leopard Lodge and lots of opportunities to explore the Zoo. Check back soon for a full program of events.
Getting to the Big Day Out
The Leopard Lodge Big Day Out event space is near the Zoo’s Rail Gate entrance on Poplar Road.
This is directly opposite Royal Park train station. Find out more on the Zoo’s website.
Yooralla volunteers will be in various places near this entry just before and after the event start time, to help you find your way to all the fun.
By train
expand_moreCatch a train on the Upfield line, from Southern Cross and Flinders Street stations. The Royal Park station is just across the road from Melbourne Zoo's rail gate entrance. Use PTV’s journey planner to find your way there by train.
Please note: There is currently no lift access between the Bourke Street concourse and Platforms 11 and 12, but lifts between Collins Street concourse is still open. Passengers requiring additional assistance can contact Travellers Aid on 9670 2072 between 6:30am to 9.30pm, 7 days a week.
By tram
expand_moreRoute 58 trams between West Coburg and Toorak run via William St in the city. The Melbourne Zoo tram stop is 26 which is a level access stop. Check the Yarra Trams website for a timetable showing tram times, and at what times accessible trams run to the Zoo.
By car
expand_moreEntrance to the car park closest to the Leopard Lodge is via Poplar Road, across from Royal Park Train Station. Car parking is $2 for a five hour ticket. Don't forget to display your disability parking permit if you have one.
Download Melbourne Zoo's parking map.
By minibus
expand_moreThere is designated free bus parking in the Zoo car park. Entry is outside the rail gate Zoo entrance on Poplar Road which is directly opposite Royal Park Train Station. There is also an overflow car park across the road.
By taxi
expand_moreTaxis can drop people off right at the Rail Gate entrance to the Zoo, off Poplar Road.
Trains from regional Victoria
expand_moreV/Line trains run from Geelong, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Maryborough, Ararat, Bendigo, Swan Hill, Echuca, Seymour, Shepparton and Albury, Traralgon, Sale and many other rural destinations, into the CBD.
Accessibility information
The Leopard Lodge is conveniently located close to the Rail Gate entrance of Melbourne Zoo.
The Leopard Lodge
expand_moreThe Leopard Lodge and the majority of its outdoor space are wheelchair accessible and there is one accessible toilet with hoist. For more information on accessibility at the Zoo Accessibility (zoo.org.au)
Accessible bathrooms
expand_moreThere is one accessible toilet at the Leopard Lodge which will be fitted with a hoist.
Melbourne Zoo has a Changing Places near the Zoo’s Main Gate (which is at the opposite end of the Zoo to the Leopard Lodge. The Changing Places facility is equipped with a hoist, full-sized change table and larger-than-standard accessible toilets. If you have a Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) please bring it to the event. Alternatively you can borrow a key from the Melbourne Zoo reception.
Specific dietary and accessibility requirements
expand_morePlease indicate on your RSVP for the Big Day Out if you have any dietary requirements and/or accessibility requirements.
Sensory friendly
expand_moreThe Leopard Lodge will be busy with event attendees and activities throughout the day. However, there are a number of spaces available to get away from the crowds and take a break if needed:
- There will be a small quiet space available off the Leopard Lodge. Please talk to a Yooralla volunter at the event if you require access to this space.
- The Leopard Lodge has an outdoor space where there will be less activity.
- You can go and explore the Zoo! Melbourne Zoo has a sensory friendly map of the Zoo
See where our event is
Photography and videography at the event
Yooralla will be taking photos and video of our clients and staff at the event to use in our communications and marketing materials. If you do not wish to be photographed and/or videoed, please get a red sticker at the Yooralla registration desk that you can wear to let our photographer know you do not want to be photographed.
More information
For more information about the event contact us via our online form below or view the FAQ's on our booking page.