Dinos Roar into Werribee Zoo: Prehistoric Trail Until 12 July

There are volcanoes smoking down by the River Walk. And a swamp the colour of over-steeped tea, bubbling quietly as a Stegosaurus wanders past. At Werribee Open Range Zoo this winter, the dinosaurs have arrived. And they haven’t cost families a cent more than a standard admission ticket.

The Dinos at the Zoo trail, running from 18 April to 12 July 2026, has turned the zoo’s riverside path into a prehistoric world of 14 life-sized, moving and roaring animatronics. From the spined Suchomimus to the frilled Dilophosaurus, the creatures are scattered along the walk, part of a wider Zoos Victoria activation that has planted more than 60 dinosaurs across Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee.

“Let your imagination run wild as you explore the prehistoric world on our brand-new Dino Trail and come face-to-face with your favourite dinosaurs,” reads the official event page from Zoos Victoria. “Whether you’re a budding palaeontologist or a fearless dino-trainer, there’s something for everyone.”

Parents who have already made the trip are posting enthusiastic reviews. “The Dino trail is actually awesome!! I’m not a Dino fan and I enjoyed roaming through it!!” one wrote on Instagram. Another reported that over 30 dinosaur animatronics had their toddler completely mesmerised, while a third described it as an “easy win” for school holidays, noting kids under 16 enter free on weekends and public holidays.

What sets the Werribee trail apart are the immersive flourishes. Smoking volcanoes, giant dino footprints pressed into the path, and life-like fossils line the River Walk, creating an Indiana Jones-inspired prehistoric world. The bubbling swamps add an eerie soundtrack as the dinosaurs twitch and roar.

For families with young children or sensory needs, the daily Dino Doze quiet hour from 9am to 10am is the standout inclusion. During that first hour, every dinosaur remains still and silent, allowing children to approach at their own pace before the trail fully wakes up at 10am. Zoo staff recommend arriving early to make the most of it.

Entry to the Dino Trail is included with standard zoo admission, so there is no separate ticket to book. But the dinosaurs depart permanently after 12 July, the end of the winter school holidays. After that, the River Walk returns to its usual calm. While the animatronics are designed to thrill, some younger children may find the moving giants startling; parental supervision is recommended.

Werribee Open Range Zoo sits on the Werribee train line, with bus connections from the station directly to the gates. On-site parking is available but expect delays of up to 20 minutes during peak periods. Last entry is at 3.30pm, so plan to arrive well before then to complete the trail.

While you’re there, the Ben & Jerry’s outlet on site is scooping a limited-edition Dino Sundae-saurus, and the historic Werribee Mansion and Werribee River Park are a short drive away for a full day out west.

With just under seven weeks left until the dinosaurs fall silent for good, the clock is ticking. As one visitor put it: “Our 3 year old absolutely loved it.”