Healesville Sanctuary
Up close with Aussie critters
Prized pinot noir and chardonnay aside, the Yarra Valley is also famous for this 70-hectare wildlife sanctuary. It’s the ideal place to get acquainted with Australia’s one-of-a-kind animal kingdom. Coo over koalas, wombats, platypuses and lesser-known locals like orange-bellied parrots and lyrebirds.
Don’t miss the twice-daily Spirits of the Sky show (showcasing Australia's largest bird of prey, the Wedge Tailed Eagle) and consider heading in on weekdays to avoid the biggest crowds. If you don’t mind the extra numbers, the sanctuary runs a ‘Kids for Free’ deal on weekends.
Purchased admission online in advance.
Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville
Opening hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Admission: Adult/child $38/19, Sat & Sun children free
zoo.org.au/healesville
How to get there
Healesville Sanctuary lies some 60km east of Melbourne.
Car: From Melbourne, take the Eastern Fwy (M3), exit at Ringwood (SR62) continue on the Ringwood Bypass to Maroondah Hwy (SR34/B360), which leads to Healesville.
Train/Bus: Suburban trains run from central Melbourne to Lilydale, from where you’ll need to catch bus 685 to Healesville, then bus 686 towards Badger Creek. Click here for timetables.