Halfway between Melbourne and Geelong, Werribee was founded in the 1850s as an agricultural community. Although the Werribee Open Range Zoo, the Werribee Park Mansion, and the Victoria State Rose Garden are among the most frequented destinations in the area, there are many additional reasons to travel there.
Over the years, Werribee has acquired a negative reputation. When we first relocated to the eastern suburbs, most individuals That we encountered looked surprised and perplexed when they told them We were originally from Werribee. However, Werribee is no different from any other suburbs in eastern Melbourne's outskirts.
What's more convenient than a location midway between Melbourne and Geelong? (Werribee). It's a big suburb that's surprisingly beautiful and has a lot of attractions. In addition, there is no faeces-like odour.
Here Are Some Things To Do In Werribee
There's a lot more to Werribee than the Open Range Zoo and crazy fun at Werribee Mansion, which you've undoubtedly already experienced. It's a lively metropolis brimming with dining options, beautiful natural sights, and interesting museums.
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Located approximately 35 kilometres west of Melbourne, the Werribee Open Range Zoo was opened in 1983 and transports visitors to Africa. Get ready to see giraffes, rhinos, ostriches, zebras, bison, and more on a 40-minute safari excursion through the Savannah. In addition to being home to one of the
There are three spectacular silverbacks living in the largest gorilla exhibitions in the world.
When compared to Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo is a strong contender. The safari tour is one feature that the Werribee Zoo offers that the Melbourne Zoo does not. You can interact with creatures including zebras, giraffes, and antelopes on this tour. One of the best parts is that you won't have to look at the animals through bars.
Just 30 minutes outside of Melbourne, you'll find the stunning natural environment of Werribee Open Range Zoo, which spans over 200 hectares (495 acres). Hop aboard the safari vehicle and enjoy a guided tour of the open range savannah in search of rhinos, giraffes, and zebras. On the African Walking Trail, you may view a pride of lions up close, as well as gorillas in one of the largest exhibitions in the world, monkeys being cheeky, and a family of hippos in their natural habitat.
The Werribee Open Range Zoo is just one of the attractions that can be included to a custom trip plan using our online itinerary generator.
Mama Lor
Mama Lor, a restaurant and bakery in the suburb of Werribee, Australia, proudly serves authentic Filipino cuisine and baked goods. The bakery comes first. The in-house bakery at the venue consistently produces a wide variety of freshly baked Filipino pastries and breads, including ube pandesal (bread rolls filled with purple yam and cheese), hopia baboy (similar to a mooncake but packed with pork), chocolate crinkles, brownies, pan de Leche (milk buns), and more.
Then there was the eatery. Unique to Mama Lor are its BBQ offerings, which are the very essence of Filipino street food. Some of the best choices are the inihaw na pusit (whole squid filled with onion and tomato) and the inihaw na liempo (marinated pork belly covered with homemade barbeque sauce).
The sisig features pork chops blended with sliced onions and capsicum and topped with chilli, mayo, and an egg for added heat. Mama Lor, which can be found on Watton Street, is usually rather crowded on weeknights. Those pre-packaged pastry and loaves of bread usually sell out quickly, so it's best to arrive early if you want to get your hands on some.
Slumber Safari
Slumber Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo is a fully hosted overnight event that features unique animal encounters and viewing possibilities as you continue your African trip. Take part in sunset drinks, an African-themed dinner and buffet breakfast, a wonderful evening stroll, a delicious campfire meal, and two days of zoo admission. Then, enjoy a night of luxurious camping in your tent cabin.
Visit The Werribee Mansion
The Werribee Mansion was erected in the 1870s by the Chirnside family. The mansion was transformed into the luxurious Lancemore hotel, restaurant and spa. Mansion tours are available while you're here. You can even go on a ghost tour of a haunted mansion if you have the nerve.
Originally built as a residence in 1877, the beautiful Italianate Werribee Park Mansion has since served as a Catholic seminary and now serves as a five-star hotel. The mansion has 60 rooms and Joseph's Restaurant & Bar, making it a popular venue for weddings. Werribee Christmas Carols and Let Them Eat Cake are only two of the events that have been held on the estate since it was built in the 19th century.
Take in the splendour of Werribee Park, an estate funded by the proceeds of an Australian pastoral dynasty. The Werribee Mansion is a historic site that you can visit, and its gardens are perfect for a picnic or for gazing at the 5,000 roses that bloom in the Victoria State Rose Garden.
Explore the magnificent Werribee Mansion. Wander around the groomed grounds of the formal gardens and take in the awe-inspiring grotto and artificial lake.
Once the estate's hub of activity, the Werribee Park farmyard's remnant bluestone outbuildings now stand in stark contrast to the mansion's ornate detailing. In and around Werribee Gorge on the Werribee Gorge Circuit
About an hour's drive from Melbourne's city centre, Werribee Gorge is a popular hiking and rock-climbing destination due to its status as both a state park and a geological zone. The 9.3-kilometer route, which begins and ends at the Meikles Point picnic spot, may be completed in about four hours. Many hikers take advantage of the many bathing holes and cable walks and lookouts that can be found along the trail.
Corked Wine Bar
You might think that Melburnians would have seen it all after all the years they've spent searching in nooks and crannies and down back alleys for secret bars. However, it is safe to say that the suburbs still harbour certain secrets. In 2021, the residents of Werribee were treated to the opening of the secret sliding door at Corked Wine Bar on Melbourne's Watton Street.
The search for the location is half the enjoyment. To find the wooden wine bottle wall, enter the unassuming apartment building corridor near Teddy Picker, a pizza eatery. You have to locate a secret button on the wall, press it, and then slide the door open to enter.
Since the main bar is in the middle of the room, the low ceilings and low lighting make it feel quite intimate. Make yourself at home on the plush red sofa or one of the several end tables. Then, if the day is nice, proceed to the outdoor courtyard that views out over the verdant Werribee River.
The wine list is the main attraction; it features a wide variety of high-quality wines from all over the world, including some from Italy and Germany, as well as local vintages from the Yarra and King Valleys. Shared appetisers such smoked barramundi arancini, duck fat potatoes, and fried calamari, as well as charcuterie and cheese boards, are available to accompany the wine. The dessert lovers will be satisfied with a choice between a dark chocolate mousse and a limoncello panna cotta.
Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Corked Wine Bar opens at 5 pm, and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the doors swing open at 1. Additionally, the space is available for parties and other gatherings.
Werribee River Park
Werribee River Park is a well maintained estate that provides a fascinating glimpse into Australia's colonial history thanks to a big, architecturally elegant and majestic residence at its centre. The Italianate Werribee Mansion sits in the middle of a sprawling estate that includes lush gardens, an orchard, an equestrian centre, and a zoo.
In the middle of the 1870s, construction on the estate began, and by 1973, the state government of Victoria had acquired it. You can visit Werribee River Park at the beginning, the end, or in the middle of your vacation.
Take a walk, ride a bike, fish, kayak, or just kick back on the Werribee River's banks. The river cuts right through the middle of the urban Werribee area.
Shared biking and walking routes allow you to follow the river as it meanders through Werribee, from the city centre north via farmland, and finally out to Werribee River Park. After flowing past the K Road Cliffs and the Werribee South Market Gardens, the river reaches Port Phillip Bay.
Werribee River is home to a variety of wildlife, including ancient River Red Gums and the rare Platypus. All along the river, you'll be able to view and hear a wide variety of birds, including the raucous kookaburra, the colourful cockatoo, and the argumentative honeyeater. Wallabies are also present in the forested areas of Werribee River Park, and can be seen if visitors are patient and quiet.
Werribee City Centre is an excellent jumping-off point for a family outing; get a cup of coffee and then make your way to Wyndham Park, where you'll find playgrounds and picnic sites along the riverbanks.
Shadowfax Winery
Shadowfax is one of Victoria's most prestigious boutique wineries, having first opened its doors in 1999 in the scenic Werribee Park, approximately 30 kilometres from Melbourne. Shadowfax has gained a stellar reputation for its selection of high-quality wines thanks in large part to the company's dedication to highlighting the unique characteristics of each region it sources from.
Shadowfax is a winery located in the Macedon Ranges, where they produce Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir from their high-altitude Little Hampton vineyard, as well as a selection of Minnow wines from their Werribee vineyard, which has a breathtaking view of the estate and grounds.
Shadowfax welcomes you to their cellar door, open daily from 11:00 am, to sample and purchase their selection of wines. At the cellar door, the helpful staff will give you the lowdown on each wine and recommend tasty bites to pair with them.
The restaurant serves lunch, and the menu has dishes with a Mediterranean flavour profile. Shadowfax's wines are best enjoyed with the daily availability of the restaurant's delectable antipasto and cheese plates, wood-fired pizzas, and decadent desserts.
The cellar door features live music from the winery's favourite bands every Saturday and Sunday night starting at midnight.
RAAF Museum
The RAAF Museum is located in Point Cook and is open to the public free of charge. Explore the working military facility's hangars and observe internal and outdoor displays, as well as permanent exhibits. The Museum's flying demonstrations, which take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, are a major draw for guests.
Australia's biggest collection of artefacts and aircraft from the Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force may be found in the RAAF Museum.
All generations of visitors, from youngsters to their elders, will find something of interest in the museum's exhibition of the Royal Australian Air Force's history and achievements from World War I to the present day.
Explore the Museum's cutting-edge historical gallery and catch its pilots' entertaining flying displays. It's possible to peek behind the curtain and watch as the restoration team does their thing.
As part of the Interactive Flying Program, regular flying demonstrations take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 1:00 pm (weather allowed) (except from mid-December to mid-January).
Victoria State Rose Garden
Over 5,000 roses may be found at the Victorian State Rose Garden, which was the first rose garden outside of Europe to receive the International Garden of Excellence award from the World Federation of Rose Societies. The garden, which is cared for by more than a hundred volunteers, is laid out in the style of a five-petaled Tudor rose and features floribunda roses and beds of modern hybrid tea among other species.
After taking in the splendour of Werribee Mansion's many rooms and halls, you can tour the grounds and admire the roses at The Victoria State Rose Garden. There are more than 5,000 rose bushes in the rose garden, making it an ideal setting for a picnic with that special someone.
Victoria State Rose Garden, situated in Werribee Park's illustrious grounds, is a world-famous garden that has won the World Federation of Rose Societies' Award for Garden Excellence. This rose garden was the first of its kind to win an international prise.
The Rose Garden at Werribee Mansion is a six-acre oasis with a heritage border that showcases roses from all around the world and throughout history.
The garden is split into two sections, each devoted to a different type of rose: the Federation Leaf displays Australian roses, while the Bud displays 46 different types. The garden walkways represent the rose stem, from which the Tudor Rose's petals branch off to a leaf and a rosebud.
The rose garden, which features more than five thousand roses arranged in a focal design based on the shape of the Tudor Rose, is a sight to behold from November through April.
Wolf On Watton
Wolf on Watton serves as a cafe during the day, a restaurant in the evening, and a bar after dark. And they serve up the best lounge bar atmosphere in the neighbourhood at all hours of the night and day. Two brothers from Werribee sought to add a sophisticated wine bar and lounge vibe to the city's existing cafe and restaurant scene.
The Salvalaggios have a soft spot for the café. Since its construction as a fruit and vegetable market with a gelati bar by their great-grandfather in the 1940s, the building has remained in the family until late 2019, when two brothers reopened it as a restaurant named after the Wolf of Watton.
Coffee from the in-house Five Senses roasting system is available first thing, and then there are upscale breakfast alternatives like citrus-cured salmon on a bagel or scrambled eggs with sriracha chilli, bacon, and roasted peanuts.
Delicious burgers are available for lunch and evening, made with the chef's secret herb and spice blend, with a 48-hour slow-cooked Korean beef rib burger. Or, the brothers' Italian heritage is reflected in the "something greater" menu, which features dishes like linguine carbonara with pancetta & egg yolk, classic homemade lasagne with beef ragù, and a risotto with truffled mushrooms. The snacking package is loaded with gourmet snacks including cured meats and cheeses.
They feature extensive drink menus that include local and international wine, artisanal brews, and expertly crafted cocktails to ensure that your libation needs are met. On one end of the scale, the Love Potion blends lime juice, white rum, strawberry, and vanilla for a "everything sweet" drink. The Agave-Tini, on the other hand, is a blend of tequila, espresso tequila, EspressoEspresso, and brown sugar that is both sweet and spicy.
From Thursday night through Sunday afternoon, the Wolf hosts a relaxed weekend vibe courtesy to acoustic musicians performing live. So if you're in Werribee and searching for a place to unwind in comfort without sacrificing style, you know where to go.
Check Out The B-24 Liberator
This B-24 Liberator is one of only eight still flying in the globe, and the only one in the southern hemisphere. This plane from World War II has been undergoing restoration since 1988, and it is now 90% finished. A magnificent plane like this may be seen just on the outskirts of Werribee's central business district.
In memory of those who served in the South Pacific with the B-24 Liberator during World War II, the B-24 Liberator Memorial Fund is working to restore the region's sole surviving example of the iconic bomber. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, visitors may watch while volunteers painstakingly refurbish one of just eight Liberators left in existence.
Werribee Historical Museum
Werribee Historical Museum is a non-profit institution that has been working to preserve and share Wyndham Shire's history since its founding in 1970. The museum has a large collection of photographs, period costumes, maps, and artefacts from the area's history, and it is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, or by appointment.
Shop Until You Drop At Pacific Werribee.
No, it's not Chadstone, but it does have everything else you might want. And there are less people there. Stores and restaurants at the retail centre include H&M, Village Cinemas, Uniqlo, Target, Myer, Kmart, Big W, and many more. Werribee residents enjoy a major retail mall right in the city, so going farther is unnecessary. Check out our comprehensive Pacific Werribee guide for images of all the shops.
Weerama Festival
Weerama, which literally means "to play," is the major community event in Wyndham and is held every year in March. Weerama Festival has evolved from its humble origins in the late 1970s into a multi-day festival with a parade down Watton Street, fireworks, rides, concerts, markets, and food trucks.
Truck Stop Deluxe
You're in luck if you're craving a good burger and you happen to be in the suburbs. Together, Dani Zeini (Dandenong Pavilion), Josh Levers (Grand Trailer Park Taverna), and Jimmy Hulston (Jimmy's Burgers, Easey's) conceived of Truck Stop Deluxe, a burger joint modelled after the roadside eateries found along the Pacific Coast.
Burgers like the Colonel (buttermilk fried chicken, American cheese, lettuce, and aioli on a brioche bun), the El Gringo (Australian beef patty, lettuce, tomato, avocado, corn chips, sour cream, and Changz hot sauce on a brioche bun), and the Bacon Bacon will be served in typical Jimmy fashion (think towering structures of patty, bun, and cheese) (On a brioche bun, double cheese, two Australian beef patties, double bacon, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and chipotle mayo).
Feeling hungry yet? Popcorn chicken, chilli cheese fries, and mac 'n' cheese croquettes are just some of the options, in addition to the aforementioned trucker fries (topped with pickles, caramelised onion, and sauce).
Want a tasty treat? Wander through the waffles and ice cream sandwiches or opt for a milkshake that you may spice up for more excitement. You could even forego the shake and go straight for the beer or wine.
Beyond the food, the whole place has a truck stop feel. Reservations are available for either lunch or dinner in the truck's cab or cargo hold. You don't want your food delivered, do you? The rear patio is like a barn with AstroTurf, festoon lighting, and warning flags, and is a great place to eat if the weather is nice.
Conclusion
Werribee is midway between Melbourne and Geelong. It has several restaurants, beautiful scenery, and instructive museums. Werribee Open Range Zoo offers rhino, giraffe, and zebra safaris. Mama Lor serves Filipino food and homemade pastries. The Chirnside family's 1870s Werribee Mansion is now a luxury hotel.
Slumber Safaris are overnight safaris featuring uncommon wildlife encounters. Werribee Gorge, a state park and geological zone, attracts outdoor enthusiasts. Corked Wine Bar will unveil a concealed sliding door in Werribee in 2021. Werribee Mansion is on an estate with gardens, an orchard, an equestrian centre, and a zoo. The Werribee River has endangered Platypus and ancient River Red Gums.
The RAAF Museum has the world's largest collection of Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Flying Corps artefacts and aircraft. The World Federation of Rose Societies awarded its first International Garden of Excellence award to the Victorian State Rose Garden in Melbourne, Australia. Werribee Mansion's six-acre Rose Garden has roses from worldwide along a border inspired by Werribee's history. The Tudor Rose's petals open to show a leaf and bud on garden walkways. The B-24 Liberator Memorial Fund is restoring the region's sole surviving aircraft.
Werribee has a huge shopping centre so that residents can shop locally. The museum houses historical photographs, costumes, maps, and artefacts. Jimmy's Truck Stop serves burgers, fries, milkshakes, and ice cream sandwiches. Truck cabs and cargo holds can book lunch and dinner. The barn-like back patio has AstroTurf, festoon lighting, and caution flags.
Content Summary
- Halfway between Melbourne and Geelong, Werribee was founded in the 1850s as an agricultural community.
- Although the Werribee Open Range Zoo, the Werribee Park Mansion, and the Victoria State Rose Garden are among the most frequented destinations in the area, there are many additional reasons to travel there.
- It's a big suburb that's surprisingly beautiful and has a lot of attractions.
- Located approximately 35 kilometres west of Melbourne, the Werribee Open Range Zoo was opened in 1983 and transported visitors to Africa.
- When compared to Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo is a strong contender.
- The safari tour is one feature that the Werribee Zoo offers that the Melbourne Zoo does not.
- Just 30 minutes outside of Melbourne, you'll find the stunning natural environment of Werribee Open Range Zoo, which spans over 200 hectares (495 acres).
- Mama Lor, a restaurant and bakery in the suburb of Werribee, Australia, proudly serves authentic Filipino cuisine and baked goods.
- Its BBQ offerings are unique to Mama Lor, which are the essence of Filipino street food.
- Slumber Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo is a fully hosted overnight event that features unique animal encounters and viewing possibilities as you continue your African trip.
- You can even go on a ghost tour of a haunted mansion if you have the nerve.
- The Werribee Mansion is a historical site that you can visit, and its gardens are perfect for a picnic or for gazing at the 5,000 roses that bloom in the Victoria State Rose Garden.
- In and around Werribee Gorge on the Werribee Gorge Circuit About an hour's drive from Melbourne's city centre, Werribee Gorge is a popular hiking and rock-climbing destination due to its status as both a state park and a geological zone.
- In 2021, the residents of Werribee were treated to the opening of the secret sliding door at Corked Wine Bar on Melbourne's Watton Street.
- Werribee River Park is a well-maintained estate that provides a fascinating glimpse into Australia's colonial history thanks to its big, architecturally elegant and majestic residence.
- The Italianate Werribee Mansion sits in the middle of a sprawling estate that includes lush gardens, an orchard, an equestrian centre, and a zoo.
- In the middle of the 1870s, construction on the estate began, and by 1973, the state government of Victoria had acquired it.
- You can visit Werribee River Park at the beginning, the end, or the middle of your vacation.
- Take a walk, bike, fish, kayak, or kick back on the Werribee River's banks.
- Werribee River is home to a variety of wildlife, including ancient River Red Gums and the rare Platypus.
- The RAAF Museum is located in Point Cook and is open to the public free of charge.
- Australia's biggest collection of artefacts and aircraft from the Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force may be found in the RAAF Museum.
- All generations of visitors, from youngsters to their elders, will find something of interest in the museum's exhibition of the Royal Australian Air Force's history and achievements from World War I to the present day.
- Over 5,000 roses may be found at the Victorian State Rose Garden, and the first rose garden outside of Europe to receive the International Garden of Excellence award from the World Federation of Rose Societies.
- After taking in the splendour of Werribee Mansion's many rooms and halls, you can tour the grounds and admire the roses at The Victoria State Rose Garden.
- More than 5,000 rose bushes are in the rose garden, making it an ideal setting for a picnic with that special someone.
- The Rose Garden at Werribee Mansion is a six-acre oasis with a heritage border showcasing roses from around the world and throughout history.
- The rose garden, which features more than five thousand roses arranged in a focal design based on the shape of the Tudor Rose, is a sight to behold from November through April.
- Wolf on Watton serves as a cafe during the day, a restaurant in the evening, and a bar after dark.
- Two brothers from Werribee sought to add a sophisticated wine bar and lounge vibe to the city's existing cafe and restaurant scene.
- Since its construction as a fruit and vegetable market with a gelati bar by their great-grandfather in the 1940s, the building remained in the family until late 2019, when two brothers reopened it as a restaurant named after the Wolf of Watton.
- On one end of the scale, the Love Potion blends lime juice, white rum, strawberry, and vanilla for an "everything sweet" drink.
- This B-24 Liberator is one of only eight still flying in the globe and the only one in the southern hemisphere.
- This plane from World War II has been undergoing restoration since 1988 and is now 90% finished.
- In memory of those who served in the South Pacific with the B-24 Liberator during World War II, the B-24 Liberator Memorial Fund is working to restore the region's sole surviving example of the iconic bomber.
- Werribee Historical Museum is a non-profit institution working to preserve and share Wyndham Shire's history since its founding in 1970.
- Werribee residents enjoy a major retail mall in the city, so going farther is unnecessary.
- Weerama, which means "to play," is the major community event in Wyndham and is held every year in March.
- Popcorn chicken, chilli cheese fries, and mac 'n' cheese croquettes are just some of the options, in addition to the aforementioned trucker fries (topped with pickles, caramelised onion, and sauce).
- Wander through the waffles and ice cream sandwiches, or opt for a milkshake that you may spice up for more excitement.
- Reservations are available for either lunch or dinner in the truck's cab or cargo hold.
- The rear patio is like a barn with AstroTurf, festoon lighting, and warning flags, and it is a great place to eat if the weather is nice.
FAQs About Melbourne Werribee
Just 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD, you can eat around the world in Werribee and its surrounds and then explore natural and historical wonders while you digest. The Werribee Park Precinct boasts multiple world-class attractions, all within easy access to each other.
Espresso EspressoEspresso is now one of the best cafés in Werribee's thriving restaurant, café and bar scene. It has become a must-visit for discerning locals who need that morning coffee hit from Veneziano Coffee Roasters. However, there’s a reason Black Seed Café (2/133 Watton St) is a favourite among westsiders.
As a tourist on my visit to the area this year, you visited Werribee Park, which included Werribee Mansion and gardens, Victoria State Rose Garden and the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Majestic Werribee Historic Mansion.
Werribee, located close to Hoppers Crossing, is undeniably a stunning town, and it is a place that many people adore due to the very iconic and scenic sites and landmarks that can be found there. In addition, it is widely renowned for its wonderful shopping choices, which are unquestionably convenient for the people who live in the area.
Werribee has the atmosphere of a Savannah square, although Melbourne's collection is far more varied overall. If you've been to Melbourne before, Werribee would be a better choice to check out next time. Although it has a rather limited animal collection, the zoo is still well worth a visit.