Geography of Melbourne Geography of Melbourne Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, Australia, is situated on the southeastern fringe of the Australian landmass and in the southern central part of the state. Melbourne covers an area of approximately 8,694 km². The city itself stands in a region of alpine forests known as the High Country. The city and metropolitan areas of Melbourne also spans along the lower stretches of the Yarra River. Towards eastern Melbourne is the low-lying mountain ranges known as Dandenong Ranges, 35 km east of the city. Geologically, it is built on the conclusion of Quaternary lava flows to the
Melbourne Zoo Zoological Board of Victoria administers the Melbourne Zoo, as well as the Werribee Open Range Zoo which features herbivorous creatures in an open range setting; and Healesville Sanctuary on of bushland exhibiting Australian fauna. On 15 January 2010 Melbourne Zoo welcomed its first elephant calf. This is the second elephant calf born in Australia, the first being in Sydney in July 2009. Melbourne Zoo new seal enclosure has been completed and was opened in December 2009. Melbourne Zoo commemorated 150 years of operation in 2012 and this was celebrated in an Australian Zoos collector's edition of stamps released by Australia