Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria stands as one of Australia’s most treasured wildlife destinations, offering a rare and immersive encounter with native animals in their natural bushland habitat. Located just an hour northeast of Melbourne in the scenic Yarra Valley, this world-renowned sanctuary invites visitors of all ages to connect with the soul of Australia’s unique fauna. Whether you’re marveling at the free-flight bird show or locking eyes with a koala during a keeper talk, every moment here is designed to educate, inspire, and protect. Run by Zoos Victoria, a not-for-profit conservation organization, the sanctuary is much more than a zoo—it’s a powerful force for wildlife advocacy and environmental action.
At Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, families can hand-feed kangaroos, listen to Indigenous guides share ancestral stories, and even witness live surgeries at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. The sanctuary draws over 500,000 visitors annually, all drawn by the chance to see over 200 species of Australian animals. These include elusive creatures like the platypus, which is rarely seen in the wild, and the endangered Tasmanian devil, which is part of a successful insurance breeding program at Healesville. Through its collaboration with Parks Victoria, the sanctuary also supports fieldwork that helps preserve natural habitats across the state.
Education plays a pivotal role at the sanctuary, with over 55,000 school children attending curriculum-aligned programs each year. These hands-on experiences are supported by the Victorian Department of Education and aim to instill a lifelong appreciation for conservation. From the Wild Explorers playscape to junior zoo keeper workshops, every space within Healesville promotes interactive learning. In partnership with Visit Victoria, Healesville Sanctuary also anchors ecotourism in the region, linking guests with local wineries, accommodations, and Aboriginal heritage sites.
Behind the scenes, Healesville is a center of veterinary excellence. At the University of Melbourne Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, students conduct research and internships that directly contribute to wildlife survival. Meanwhile, ongoing efforts to rescue and rehabilitate injured animals—over 1,500 annually—ensure a second chance at life for many vulnerable species. With data-driven field monitoring supported by DELWP Victoria, Healesville tracks the outcomes of its rewilding efforts and adjusts its strategies accordingly.
Through its research programs, habitat restoration, and captive breeding successes, Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria serves as a global model of conservation. Organizations like WWF Australia, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, and Zoos and Aquariums Association Australasia recognize the sanctuary’s contribution to national and international wildlife protection goals. With every ticket purchased, every donation made, and every story shared, visitors become part of a larger mission—to ensure that Australia’s unique animals don’t just survive, but thrive.
Wild Encounters with Australia’s Unique Wildlife
Meet Iconic Native Species Up Close
At Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, visitors are treated to intimate encounters with iconic Australian animals such as kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and platypuses. With over 200 native species residing in the sanctuary, it’s one of the most comprehensive wildlife experiences in the state. Guests can hand-feed kangaroos in walk-through enclosures and get within arm’s reach of sleepy koalas.
Experience the Spirits of the Sky
The Spirits of the Sky free-flight bird show is a highlight, showcasing wedge-tailed eagles, barking owls, and cockatoos. These birds demonstrate natural behaviours and educate audiences on the importance of birds of prey in ecosystems. Over 1,500 shows are conducted annually, reaching more than 120,000 spectators.
Go Behind the Glass with the Platypus
One of the most elusive creatures, the platypus, can be seen up close in a specially designed nocturnal enclosure. As one of only a few places globally to house this monotreme, Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria contributes to research that supports the species’ survival, especially as populations decline in eastern Australia.
Reptile Encounters in the Cold-Blooded Room
The sanctuary houses over 30 reptile and amphibian species, including the venomous eastern brown snake and endangered corroboree frog. Visitors can explore this section in climate-controlled exhibits that mimic the species’ natural habitats.
Spotlight on the Tasmanian Devil
Guests can watch the notoriously shy Tasmanian devil feeding, a rare and powerful display of this endangered marsupial’s behaviour. Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria is part of the Tasmanian Devil Insurance Population, which has bred over 80 devils since 2006 to fight against the spread of facial tumour disease.
Conservation in Action: Healesville’s Role in Saving Species
Fighting Extinction Through Breeding Programs
Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria is at the forefront of saving species, housing the Australian Wildlife Health Centre and supporting over 20 breeding programs for endangered animals. Notable successes include the helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater’s possum—both critical Victorian species.
Success Story: Helmeted Honeyeater Revival
The sanctuary has bred and released over 300 helmeted honeyeaters into the wild. As Victoria’s state bird emblem, its population dropped to fewer than 50 individuals in the 1980s. Now, thanks to conservation efforts at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, numbers are on the rise.
Threatened Amphibians and the Corroboree Frog
The critically endangered southern corroboree frog is supported through a captive breeding program. With only 50–250 adults remaining in the wild, every frog bred at the sanctuary plays a vital role in the species’ future. Their successful hatching season in 2023 yielded 60 tadpoles, now growing into the next generation.
Leadbeater’s Possum Recovery Efforts
Once thought extinct, the Leadbeater’s possum has found refuge through the sanctuary’s intensive breeding and habitat protection initiatives. Over 60 individuals have been bred since the 2010s, with habitat partnerships enabling forest corridor restoration efforts.
Collaborations with Zoos Victoria and Beyond
As part of Zoos Victoria, the sanctuary joins a mission to ensure no Victorian terrestrial vertebrate species goes extinct. Partnerships with conservation agencies, universities, and Indigenous communities amplify their impact, promoting sustainable conservation rooted in science and tradition.
Family Adventures and Educational Journeys
Interactive Keeper Talks and Animal Presentations
Families visiting Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria enjoy scheduled keeper talks that provide insights into animal care, behaviour, and conservation. More than 25 daily presentations occur across the sanctuary, giving children and adults a chance to engage with expert zookeepers and ask questions directly.
Wild Explorers Outdoor Playscape
The Wild Explorers area is a nature-inspired play space for children under 12, featuring rope bridges, interactive displays, and a dry creek bed for imaginative play. It’s designed to blend entertainment with environmental learning, engaging over 100,000 young visitors annually.
Educational Programs for School Groups
The sanctuary runs comprehensive educational programs aligned with the Victorian curriculum. More than 55,000 students participate annually in workshops and guided tours. Programs focus on biodiversity, animal adaptation, and Indigenous cultural knowledge.
Junior Zoo Keeper Experiences
Children aged 5–12 can become “Zoo Keepers for a Day” and shadow staff during their rounds. This program includes preparing food, cleaning enclosures, and learning about animal health. Each year, over 3,000 children join the program, inspiring a new generation of wildlife champions.
Picnic Spots and Relaxing Family Spaces
There are over 15 designated picnic and BBQ areas across the sanctuary, providing space for families to relax, eat, and reflect. Shaded by eucalyptus and native bushland, these areas offer a tranquil environment for a family day out immersed in nature.
Behind the Scenes: Wildlife Care and Vet Science at Work
Australian Wildlife Health Centre Tours
Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria offers visitors a chance to see real veterinary procedures through a glass-walled theatre at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. Over 1,500 injured and sick animals are treated annually, from wild wombats to injured raptors.
Vet Nurses and Wildlife Heroes
A team of 20+ full-time veterinarians and wildlife nurses works around the clock to care for animals, from complex surgeries to routine checkups. These specialists not only treat sanctuary residents but also assist local wildlife brought in by the public.
Specialised Equipment and Facilities
The hospital includes X-ray machines, a surgical suite, and diagnostic labs tailored for native species. Investments over $2 million AUD in the last decade have made the centre a model of excellence in wildlife medicine.
Rehabilitation and Reintroduction Programs
Injured wildlife undergo tailored rehabilitation before being returned to the wild. In 2022 alone, 870 animals were successfully released. Monitoring continues after release via GPS collars and field cameras.
Research and Internships in Wildlife Science
Partnering with universities like the University of Melbourne, Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria trains future wildlife veterinarians and researchers. Internships and collaborative research projects contribute vital knowledge on animal health, climate change resilience, and zoonotic diseases.
