Healesville Sanctuary (Zoos Victoria) - Healesville (VIC)

5 /5 Lloyd Smyth: Wonderful day out - can recommend the days before Easter long weekend as a great time to visit! Beautiful weather, smaller crowds, lots of opportunities to see animals up close without any time pressures! Nice food and toilet facilities throughout the park, including picnic tables. April is a great time to visit with the trees providing plenty of shade even in the middle of day. Our favourite animals on this trip included the Goanna, Echidnas and Koalas!

5 /5 Christopher Leach: Highly recommend! The animals were very easy to see and all very active. The keeper talks were very good and easy to attend even without trying. The birds show was phenomenal— the birds make grand entrances and frequently interact with the crowd.

5 /5 Tolga O: An absolutely fantastic zoo, that showcases some of Australias best wildlife. I took some family visited Melbourne to Healesville and we all had a blast. The koalas and Kangaroos were plentiful and easily visible. The layout was intuitive, and easy to navigate. We enjoyed the variety of enclosures, especially the bird cases which were unexpected hits. Id definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to see Aussie animals. We also did the echidna experience, allowing us to get up close and feed the echidnas. That was truly once in a lifetime, but it was a premium ($58 pp). If youre thinking of coming, keep it mind it isnt cheap. Id highly recommend any of the added experiences, so itll likely be close to $100 pp. There are cafes on site, but theres no reason not to bring your own snacks and drinks if you prefer.

5 /5 Sandra Pouladi: I had an amazing time at Healesville Sanctuary! Its such a beautiful and peaceful place, perfect for nature lovers. The wildlife is incredible, with a wide variety of native Australian animals. I was particularly impressed with the close-up encounters with koalas and kangaroos. The staff were knowledgeable and passionate about the animals, and you can tell they really care about conservation. The grounds are well-maintained, and there are plenty of walking trails to explore. Its definitely a must-visit if youre in Melbourne, especially for families or anyone interested in Australias unique wildlife

5 /5 T atts: Healesville Sanctuary, nestled in Victoria’s picturesque Yarra Valley, is one of Australia’s leading wildlife destinations, offering an immersive experience into the heart of native fauna and conservation. Established in 1934, the sanctuary spans over 28 acres of natural bushland and serves as a haven for more than 140 Australian species. Visitors can encounter iconic animals such as kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus, dingoes, and echidnas in habitats that closely replicate their natural environments. One of the sanctuary’s most remarkable achievements is its success in breeding the elusive platypus in captivity—one of the few places in the world to do so. As part of Zoos Victoria, Healesville Sanctuary plays a vital role in wildlife conservation and education. It houses the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, where guests can witness veterinary teams in action, rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals. The sanctuary also supports breeding programs for endangered species, including the helmeted honeyeater, Victoria’s state bird. Cultural significance is woven throughout the sanctuary, as it sits on Wurundjeri land of the Kulin Nation, with educational programs that respectfully integrate Indigenous knowledge and traditions. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Healesville Sanctuary is an enriching destination for families, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Australia’s unique wildlife and cultural heritage.