Travel In Australia: Victoria’s Healesville Sanctuary

Travel in Australia is always an incredible experience. The state of Victoria is like a microcosm of Australia’s wilderness all within a compact package just waiting for the traveller to enjoy. You can be outgoing and adventurous or as sedate and refined as you like. There is so much to see and do in the country as well as an exciting capital city to explore.

“Wild Australia� can be experienced in Victoria’s alpine areas, deserts, incredible seascapes, totally wild bush, beautiful beaches, surf, farmland and rivers and lakes.

No matter what you like to do Victoria has it on offer. The people are very friendly and always willing to help a tourist.

The large cosmopolitan capital city, Melbourne, is a cultural treat. If you want to explore traditional Australian “pub� fare to authentic dishes from around the world Melbourne will serve it up for you. With a fun and funky nightlife, great theatre, terrific food and shopping you can’t go wrong.

Many international travellers want to experience the strange wildlife of Australia. Kangaroos, wallabies, colourful birds, the platypus, koalas, echidnas and dingos are a few animals that intrigue visitors. One way to really enjoy these fascinating creatures is with a visit to Healesville Sanctuary just over an hour out of Melbourne.

This sanctuary provides visitors with many opportunities to really get “up close and personal� with Australian wildlife. The sanctuary provides an easy walk with a great deal to see and do along the way. The walking track is wheelchair friendly and most of the animals can easily be seen at this level. There are volunteers who are well informed. At various times during the day there are special displays including birds of prey, snake handling, feeding times and a static education display where you can ask any questions and touch a variety of animal artefacts.

Australian animals are weird and wonderful. Enjoy seeing nocturnal creatures in a special darkened enclosure, a platypus experience where you can see these shy and elusive creatures swimming in an indoors “stream�.

A new addition to the sanctuary is the animal rescue and care facility. Visitors can watch through large glass windows as the veterinary staff conduct regular checks on animals as well as carry out minor procedures. These are not done simply for the benefit of visitors, but are the real day-to-day routines that take place in the sanctuary. There are also lots of hands-on activities for children, an informative movie and terrific staff to explain what is happening. There is even a sealed off area for the less squeamish visitors to observe an autopsy (if one is happening at the time).

Healesville Sanctuary has excellent free BBQ and picnic facilities, a small café and snack facilities and a great gift shop.

I suggest taking along your own lunch and spending a whole day. If you want to spend a little more time in the area there are many accommodation options nearby and in the town of Healesville.

Prices are in Australian Dollars

Adults (16 years and over) $21.00

Children (4 to 15 years, children under 4 years free) $10.50

Children with disabilities (under 16 years of age) $5.00

Family Pass (2 Adults & 2 Children) $52.50
(2 Adults & 3 Children) $57.50
(2 Adults & 4 Children) $62.50
(2 Adults & 5 Children) $67.50

Concession (including pensioners, health care cardholders and full time students with identification) $15.80