Werribee Park

Park Historic estate with gardens and Werribee Mansion

A Victorian-era mansion and estate near Melbourne with formal gardens, a historic house museum and adjacent open-range zoo; tourists come for guided tours, garden walks and family activities.

Main image

Werribee Park is a historic estate and public park on the outskirts of Melbourne in Werribee, Victoria, centred on a large Victorian-era mansion and formal gardens. The property combines heritage architecture, restored gardens and open parkland used for tourism and community events.

Major attractions include the 19th-century Werribee Mansion, restored formal Italianate gardens and wide lawns that face the Werribee River corridor. Gardens and the mansion are interpreted for the public with guided tours, seasonal displays and cultural programming.

The estate was developed in the late 19th century as a private country property for the Chirnside family and later transitioned to public ownership and heritage management, with restoration work focusing on the mansion and gardens. Facilities now support visitor access, events and educational activities.

Werribee Park is located about 30 to 35 km southwest of central Melbourne and sits adjacent to the Werribee River; the Werribee Open Range Zoo and other regional attractions lie nearby, making the precinct a combined cultural and recreational destination.

  • Victorian mansion and gardens: The estate includes a restored Victorian-era mansion built in the 1870s and extensive formal gardens that are interpreted for visitors through tours and seasonal events.
  • Proximity to Melbourne: Werribee Park sits roughly 30 to 35 km southwest of central Melbourne and is managed as a heritage precinct with public access to gardens, the mansion and surrounding parkland.

What to See #

  • Werribee Mansion: A late 19th-century Italianate mansion on a landscaped estate with formal gardens, open parkland and associated outbuildings; the mansion dates to the 1870s and was built for the Chirnside family.
  • Formal Gardens: Formal gardens and terraces restored to reflect 19th-century design, with lawns, ornamental beds and garden structures extending from the mansion toward the river flats.
  • Parkland and nearby zoo: Large open parkland and heritage-listed landscape that connects to nearby attractions such as the Werribee Open Range Zoo and the Werribee River corridor.
Werribee Park
Werribee Park, K Road / Werribee Park Road, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
-37.9274, 144.6743
Werribee Park Mansion: Tue-Sun 10am-4pm (check for seasonal variations); park grounds open daily sunrise-sunset
Werribee Park Mansion:AUD 15-25 for adults (approx. prices; check the site); Werribee Open Range Zoo entry is separate

How to Get to Werribee Park #

Werribee Park is about 30-40 km west of Melbourne’s CBD. By car, take the Princes Freeway (M1) to the Werribee exits and follow local signage to Werribee Park. Public transport: V/Line and Metro trains run to Werribee station; from there take a local bus or a short taxi ride (approximately 5-10 minutes) to the park entrance.

Tips for Visiting Werribee Park #

  • Combine the mansion visit with a walk through the formal Italian Gardens early in the morning for softer light and fewer buses
  • Buy combined tickets or check for joint events - the property often stages outdoor concerts and twilight tours
  • Allow time to visit the Werribee Open Range Zoo next door; lodge bus connections between the two are infrequent

Best Time to Visit Werribee Park #

Spring and autumn for gardens and pleasant touring conditions; check mansion opening times before visiting.

Spring
September-November · 10-22°C
Gardens and pathways are at their best; mild weather for exploring both the mansion and the grounds.
Autumn
March-May · 12-24°C
Crisp mornings and fewer crowds; good for photography of the mansion's façade and lake reflections.
Summer
December-February · 18-30°C
Longer days but can be hot; early morning or late afternoon recommended for outdoor walking.

Weather & Climate near Werribee Park #

Climate

Werribee Park's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 5°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (547 mm/year).

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 25°

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 24°

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 60 mm of rain.

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
12° 23°

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

Nearby Attractions to Werribee Park