Healesville Sanctuary

Badger Creek Road, Healesville Victoria

Explore a bushland haven for Australian wildlife.

An Australian wildlife experience just one hour from Melbourne in the stunning Yarra Valley wine region. Wander tranquil tracks and see iconic Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats, emus and more. Discover majestic birds of prey and magnificent parrots in the spectacular Spirits of The Sky bird show.

Take a visit to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre to meet the vets and nurses as they care for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife in need of care.

Children under 16 years of age receive free entry every weekend, during Victorian Government school holidays and on Victorian public holidays. Healesville Sanctuary is open 9:00am to 5:00pm every day of the year.

Please note: All Sanctuary visitors and members must book a ticket online in advance. Zoo and Sanctuary visitor numbers are capped and all visitors (including babies) and Zoo Members are required to book a ticket online in advance. Zoo Member tickets will be free but must be booked online in advance. 0-4 year-old children also require an online ticket.

Click here to find out more.

The land of the Wurundjeri People, Traditional Owners of the Yarra Valley region.

Yarra Valley wineries produce some of the world’s best cool-climate wines and are renowned for restaurants that match their wines with regional produce sourced from nearby orchards, farm gates and dairies.

The picturesque valley is famous for the quality and flavor of its wine, its vineyards and rolling green hills, and the pleasures of locally produced food and wine. Its more than 80 wineries make sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Yarra Valley’s cool climate (warmer than Burgundy but cooler than Bordeaux) is ideal for viticulture. It has over 4000 hectares under vine, and is one of the most visited wine regions in Australia.

Located less than one hour's drive from Melbourne, the beauty, climate and fresh produce of the valley continues to be an inspiration to artists, art- and nature-lovers, and fans of fine food and wine.

HISTORY

The Yarra Valley has been producing premium wine for more than 150 years. It was Victoria's first wine growing district and is known as the birthplace of Victoria's wine industry. Vines were first planted in 1838 and viticulture spread rapidly through the 1860s and 1870s. However, increased demand for fortified wine saw Yarra Valley wine production cease in 1921. Replanting began in the late 1960s and by the early 1990s the area under vine passed the high point of the 19th century.