What is the Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia?
The Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia, is a zoo that feels like a wildlife refuge. Wherever possible, the animals roam free in their natural environment.
What is the Healesville Sanctuary?
The Healesville Sanctuary in Healesville, Victoria, is somewhere between a zoo and a wildlife refuge. Officially known as the Sir Colin Mackenzie Sanctuary, it is runs by Zoos Victoria.
It is possible to visit the Healesville Sanctuary on a day tour from Melbourne that also includes wine tasting in the Yarra Valley.
Skip the queue – book your Healesville Sanctuary tickets online.
The focus of the Healesville Sanctuary is firmly on native Australian species. There’s a natural bushland environment. Unlike other zoos with highly sculpted enclosures in a fairly unnatural setting, the Healesville Sanctuary tries to come across as a series of walking trails through the bush.
Healesville Sanctuary animals
Most of the native creatures are spottable on the main track, which winds through the sanctuary. You’ll be able to see Australian parrots, turtles, native lizards, skinks, lyrebirds and emus. The Spirits of the Sky show, which takes place at 12pm and 3pm every day, is also here. This shows off some of Australia’s most impressive birds.
Other options include the wetlands track, where you can see black swans and royal spoonbills. Dingo Country, meanwhile concentrates on the much misunderstood dingo.
The cutest animals in the Healesville Sanctuary tend to be visible on the woodlands track. This is where Tasmanian devils, Australian pelicans, brush-tailed rock wallabies and kookaburras hang out.
There are also special areas set aside for koalas, platypus and kangaroos.
Healesville Sanctuary animal encounters
Healesville Sanctuary offers a range of special experiences, too. These include VIP tours, close-up encounters with pythons and echidnas. Bookings for these experiences should be made via the Healesville Sanctuary website. General entry tickets can be booked online.
Healesville is in the Yarra Ranges area of Australia, but many treat it as part of the Yarra Valley. The Healesville Sanctuary is about an hour’s drive from Melbourne. It can easily combine with visits to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Yarra Valley wineries such as the Balgownie Estate and Yering Station. Or, alternatively, tag it onto a Yarra Valley wine tour from Melbourne.
More Victoria travel
How long is the drive from Bendigo to Shepparton?
Go swimming at Dromana Beach in Dromana.
Stay at the art deco Fish Creek Hotel in Fish Creek, South Gippsland.
What are the best stops on the Albury to Wangaratta drive?
Stop at the Benalla Art Gallery in Benalla on the Melbourne to Wangaratta drive.