HOT: Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Healesville Sanctuary is one of three zoos that Zoos Victoria manages and it’s focused especially on Australian wildlife. As such, it’s a great place to take international visitors as well as being a unique place for kids to learn about their native environment.

healesville sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary is the smallest of the three zoos and so you will likely be able to see everything very quickly in about 2.5-3 hours if you don’t stop for any presentations or shows. However, I recommend allocating more time as there are several awesome play spaces plus we miss some of the animals.

healesville sanctuary

I really like the serene bushland setting and in terms of attractions we particularly enjoy…

healesville sanctuary

Lunar’s Secret Forest, an indoor space where you can pretend to use a torch to spot endangered leadbeater possums…

kangaroo country healesville sanctuary

Kangaroo Country, a new exhibit as part of the Iconic Australia precinct showcasing iconic Australian animals…

healesville sanctuary

healesville sanctuary


Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville


healesville sanctuary

…the many carved wooden sculptures dotted around the grounds with references to Indigenous culture…

healesville sanctuary

…the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. A working lab and hospital with cabinets and glass windows explaining the workings of the vets inside. There are also daily presentations.

healesville sanctuary

healesville sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary 17 16

Inside the Australian Wildlife Health Centre is an indoor play area ‘Future Vets’ where kids can role-play being a vet. It’s cute but pretty small compared to Ranger Kids at Werribee Zoo and Keeper Kids at Melbourne Zoo.

healesville sanctuary

healesville sanctuary

healesville sanctuary

…The outdoor nature play area has a large covered sandpit, two slides, cubby, tunnel and musical elements. For older kids there’s a rope climb plus a picnic area.

Healesville Sanctuary

A nature play space is next to the Pavilion Cafe and Reptile House. It features water play, sand play, an enchanted forest and two cubbies.

nature play healesville sanctuary

By coincidence, the CFA is holding a presentation at the zoo on our visit. Forget the animals, the real and toy firetrucks are probably the highlight for vehicle-mad Baby 2.0! He cries ‘I want to drive the truck’ when we leave.

healesville sanctuary

healesville sanctuary

Wallaby Wednesdays are on 11am-11.30am  at Australia Wildlife Health Centre Lawn. Dress-up as wallabies and join in on pouch races and hopping games. You might also get the chance to see the special guest appearances by our feathered, scaly, and furry friends!

Click here for more things to do in Melbourne’s zoos with under 5s

Click here for more places to go with babies and toddlers in Melbourne.

Click here for more tips on places to go with kids in the Yarra Valley

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”thon-hot-tips-panel”]HOT Tips:

  • kids under 16 visit free on weekends, Victorian government public and school holidays;
  • plan at least 2-3 hours for a visit;
  • The Spirits of the Sky show is a must-see which we miss;
  • free parking on site;
  • most of the attractions are outdoors so I don’t recommend going in wet weather;
  • It’s easy to get around with a pram though it’s safe to let kids roam around on their own;
  • it’s a gold coin donation to buy bird seed to feed the parrots inside the aviary. Other close-up experiences are $15+.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

This post contains affiliate links. If you book using the links there is no extra cost to you and I earn a small commission that helps me to provide free, valuable and useful information for you! Thanks Joyce

Comments are closed.

About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

Discover Melbourne's top family fun in 5 minutes, for free

Our weekly newsletter brings busy parents and carers the best activities for kids in Melbourne + Victoria. It's your best 5-minute read for creating quality family time!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.