Sep 4, 20232 min read

Healeville Sanctuary - Yarra Valley, Australia

A Must-Visit in the Yarra Wine Valley Region

Healesville Sanctuary is part of Zoos Victoria. A not-for-profit, zoo-based conservation organisation dedicated to fighting wildlife extinction. Zoos Victoria is made up of four unique properties Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Kyabram Fauna Park, as well as a wildlife conservation team that works outside our zoo walls.

Their zoo inspire animal lovers of all ages. And by strengthening the connection between people and wildlife, they hope to protect the future of animals and their homes. Their important work includes breeding and recovery programs and they have built partnerships with local communities, fellow conservationists, and like-minded organisations in Australia and around the globe. The Rosette Media team made a visit to Healsville Sanctuary when we visited Yarra Valley and were truly amazed by what we saw, encountered and discovered, as we toured the facility.

Zoos Victoria is committed to fighting the extinction of 27 local threatened species, many of which can been seen at Healesville Sanctuary.

Tasmanian Devils
Helmeted Honeyeaters
Orange-bellied Parrots
Swift Parrots
Mountain Pygmy-possums
Spotted-Tree Frogs
Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

As we walked though the entire zoo, we witnessed for ourselves, how the facility was being designed and constructed to allow for the landscape, water flow, treescape, free passage of mammals and birds in the wild, how they synergized with schools on their education and youth programs, how they fight extinction in their programs, become a voice for wildlife, looking after animals in their care, conduct welfare reviews, connect community with nature, empower and support community wildlife response, to make the zoo business, a thriving and ethical one! This is absolutely one of the highlights of the trip, and going beyond seeing the animals, but understanding how they are being cared for and looked after, and how the community can play a part in their lives!

A highlight of a visit to Healesville Sanctuary is the Spirits of the Sky bird presentation. It is a fantastic way to be educated on a variety of native birds while appreciating their natural beauty.

They also have a large wildlife hospital known as the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. Unfortunately, the hospital is not currently accessible as it undergoes renovations. However, future visitors will have the opportunity to see what is going on within the hospital via internal glass walls. The specialist veterinary team takes care of the animals that live at the Sanctuary and treat approximately 2,000 wildlife patients that are brought in for care each year.

Zoos Victoria acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners as the original custodians of the land and waters, their ability to care for Country, and deep spiritual connection to it. They honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices.