Healesville Sanctuary

5 stars. A natural Australian wildlife escape that families will genuinely enjoy.Healesville Sanctuary was the third zoo I visited with my family, after Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Zoo. I would still rank it as number 3 overall, but it fully deserves 5 stars because of the experience it offers.What impressed me most was how natural and Australian the whole sanctuary feels. The animals live in environments that look like real bushland. There were moments when I honestly felt like we were walking through a quiet jungle. My kids enjoyed spending time with the kangaroos and birds, and those close encounters became the highlight of our visit. If you love Australian birds, this is the best place in Victoria to appreciate them. One thing I did not personally enjoy was the dinosaur theme that is becoming popular in many zoos. My kids had fun with it, but I prefer zoos to stay natural and focused on real wildlife. Healesville’s strength is its authenticity, so the dinosaur displays did not match the atmosphere for me.The drive to Healesville is hilly and winding, especially if you are still new to Melbourne. Before reaching the shopping village near the zoo, I drove around 25 km without seeing any shops or servos, so it is safer to go with a full tank when travelling with kids. There is a shopping area before the zoo with plenty of food options. I did not stay long enough to check for halal food, and I did not eat from the zoo canteen either, so I cannot comment on that. The coffee was decent though.Overall, Healesville Sanctuary is peaceful, educational and very Australian. It is perfect for families and a great choice if you want to show overseas visitors genuine Australian wildlife in a natural setting.

Best wedding venue ever!!! My husband Matt and I got married at Healesville Sanctuary on 1st August and we had the most incredible time!! The Brolga Room is a stunning little reception venue and the lawns outside were the perfect backdrop for our ceremony. The venue manager Chloe was fantastic as were all of her staff, they were so accommodating and nothing was too much of a hassle. She even went above and beyond ordering in some extra chairs for the venue so we could have the comfier option. They also did our florals for the arbour and table centrepieces in-house and they turned out incredible and blended perfectly with our bouquets from a different florist. The food was great! We did the bush bbq buffet, it was all super tasty and there was plenty to go around. Our guests all commented on what a fantastic time they had at such a unique and amazing venue. Chloe also organised for a keeper from the land of the parrots avery to meet us and let us in after it had closed so we could attempt to recreate a photo from one of our first dates. I think the keepers name was Hayden and he was fantastic - spending time with us and the birds to get some incredible shots! Not to mention all of the other stunning locations around the sanctuary to take photos. I would encourage anyone who's a wildlife lover to book their wedding with Healesville Sanctuary in the Brolga Room, you won't regret it!

A wonderful place to see Australia’s unique native wildlife up close. The sanctuary is clean, well maintained, and the enclosures are spacious, allowing the animals to live in a natural environment. It’s a great place for families, animal lovers, and anyone visiting Victoria. While the sanctuary itself is similar to other zoos in terms of the experience, what really made this trip unforgettable was the drive from Melbourne CBD to Healesville. The scenery along the way was absolutely stunning, with beautiful forests, rolling hills, vineyards, and charming small towns. The road trip alone was worth it. Overall, we had a fantastic day. If you’re planning a visit, take your time and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. The combination of beautiful scenery and Australia’s incredible wildlife makes this a trip I’d happily do again.

Up-Close Native Aussie Wildlife Encounters! 🦘🐨🦅 Nestled right in the heart of the Yarra Valley bushland, Healesville Sanctuary is an absolute must-visit for anyone keen to see Australia’s iconic native wildlife in a tranquil, natural bush setting. The Highlights: 🦘 Iconic Native Animals & Sleepy Koalas: Meet kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and dingoes up close. Don't be surprised if the koalas don't budge at all, these little champions famously sleep for around 20 hours a day and are absolute experts at napping high up in the eucalyptus forks! 🦅 Spirits of the Sky Bird Show: A massive highlight where majestic birds of prey, parrots, and wedge-tailed eagles swoop right over the heads of the crowd in an open-air arena. 🦆 Platypus & Secret Wildlife: Head inside the twilight Platypus display to watch these elusive, unique creatures gliding and diving through crystal-clear freshwater tanks. 🏥 Australian Wildlife Health Centre: A truly fascinating behind-the-scenes look where you can observe dedicated vet teams treating and rehabilitating injured native animals through glass viewing areas. 🌿 Peaceful Bushland Stroll: Shaded gravel walking tracks, trickling creeks, and towering gum trees create a peaceful, easy walk suitable for all ages and strollers. A top-tier wildlife adventure delivering unforgettable native animal encounters and inspiring conservation work. An absolute ripper of a day out in the Yarra Valley!

Healesville Sanctuary is such a great place with so many native Aussie animals! Having been to most of the major state zoos, this was our first time here, and it is easily one of the best. It truly feels like you are walking through the real wild. ​The facilities are fantastic with very good cafes and great BBQ areas. The kids absolutely loved the whole experience, and the bird show is next level! Five stars all around for every reason—highly recommended!♥️♥️♥️♥️