Victoria · Attraction
Healesville Sanctuary
Australia's native wildlife up close
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Set among 32 hectares of bushland in the Yarra Valley, Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia's most loved wildlife parks. Home to more than 200 native species, including platypus, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils and wedge-tailed eagles, the sanctuary blends conservation work with immersive wildlife encounters that appeal equally to families and curious adults.
Healesville Sanctuary opened in 1921 and has been operated by Zoos Victoria ever since. The park sits on Badger Creek Road about an hour from Melbourne, surrounded by tall eucalypt forest that provides a genuinely wild backdrop. Visitors can walk through walk-through aviaries, watch keeper talks, and observe the platypus in its underwater viewing area, one of the few reliable places in the world to see the animal in action.
The sanctuary plays a serious conservation role, breeding threatened species such as the helmeted honeyeater and the eastern barred bandicoot. The wildlife hospital, visible to visitors, treats injured and orphaned animals brought in from across the region. Pre-booking online is strongly recommended, particularly on weekends and Victorian school holidays.
Where to stay
Holiday parks near Healesville Sanctuary.
2 options via our booking partner
Lilydale Pine Hill Caravan Park
15km away
Warburton Holiday Park
17.3km away
Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Scenic views
