Healesville Things to Do

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Healesville Sanctuary, Australia's premier wildlife park, is nestled in the foothills of the Yarra Valley, just one hour from Melbourne. Koalas, dingoes, kangaroos and the unique platypus are just a few of the 200 species of Australian wildlife flourishing in a beautiful bushland environment of towering gum trees and lush tree ferns. Renowned as the best place in the world to see Australian animals in their natural habitats, visitor highlights include the many Animal Close-ups and Meet the Keeper presentations scheduled throughout the day. Encounter a Dingo on the pathways, see a Wedge-tailed Eagle soar in the exciting Birds of Prey Flight Presentation and discover the impressive Sidney Myer World of the Platypus, a stunning nocturnal creekside habitat.

Visitors will enter a real working hospital environment, engage with veterinary staff and see first-hand all the previously behind-the-scenes areas including the operating theatre, laboratory, emergency and post-mortem zones, care and recovery wards, and rehabilitation and release areas.

For further information contact: Jill Rischbieth Communications Manager Ph. 5957 2856 Mob. 0412 748 810 Email. jrischbieth@zoo.org.au

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Visit TarraWarra Estate. Try the wines for public tasting. Eat at the bistro for lunch. Visit the on-site gallery. Not necessarily in that order.
I remember doing wine tastings when I was half my present age and the expectation was a wooden plank in a tin shed. How times have changed that expectation.
TarraWarra sets the standard. The wonderfully imaginative architecture of the tasting rooms-wine bar-bistro and art gallery next door, designed by Allan Powell, provide an admirable environment in which to eat, drink and view the permanent collection of contemporary Australian art donated by Eva & Marc Besen or to view the temporary exhibitions.
Light Lunch offered eight options. After spending an hour or more wandering through the purpose built gallery enjoying the current exhibition, we enjoyed the regional platter for two for lunch. We chose a window table inside (it was winter time) and enjoyed both the views over the vineyard and the Australian King parrots feeding under the acacia a few metres away. pics of King Parrot thanks to Wal.
All in all, decor, food, service,and the wines available for tastings in quality glassware were spot on.
Don't leave the Yarra Valley until you have tried all of the above!!

The number 1 attraction which visitors come to Healesville to see is undoubtedly the Healesville Sanctuary, one of the largest, and I believe longest established too, native animal sanctuaries in Australia, with close to 200 species of Australian animals and birds featured (compare this to 300 species at the Melbourne Zoo, but that is for Australian and world animals combined).
It's a lovely fantastic park, in a very natural bushland setting with the Badger Creek flowing through, large enclosures, many animal demonstrations during the day (like the snake keeper doing his thing, there's also an 'in flight' demonstration by the wedge tailed eagles, and much more). The nocturnal and reptile houses here are also very good and very extensive.
Unfortunately over the years, some of the animals have become less accessible (you used to be able to wander among the Kangaroos but now they are in a roped off area - too many people touching them perhaps) but they've improved the park in other ways, such as adding the Animal Hospital/rescue centre which is open to the public (pot luck if you get to watch any operations).
Some of my earliest (and fondest) memories of animals in my home country is of coming to this Sanctuary with my family at age 4 and hand feeding the Kangaroos.

Just don't feed the pesky White Ibis, who invade the park (a bird with an ungainly looking long black curved beak that clacks like chopsticks).
I'm a bird lover, but after you've seen a few of these, you soon lose interest and don't bother feeding the scavengers.

Looking to fill in a little time early in the day before the Yarra Valley wineries open their doors for public tastings?? Head for the Yarra Valley Archery Park at Launching Place south of Healesville.
If you didn't bring your bow and arrow set, equipment can be hired and tuition is freely available.
Coffee is available and there are other avenues of entertainment as well - pool table for example.

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HEALESVILLE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY...Less than an hours drive out of Melbourne is this marvellous wildlife Sanctuary with over 200 species and is a great place to view your favourite Aussie wildlife..it is open every day of the year and is in a truly great bush setting that makes it so enjoyable and natural..you can get up really close to wildlife..great photo opportunities...staff are really helpful..
This sanctuary is serviced by most major day tour companies..

AAT KINGS-- 03 9663 3377
GRAYLINE-- 03 858 687
A.P.T. -- 1300 655 965

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Healesville Sanctuary is a fantastic day out for all the family. Plenty to offer all ages. There is a huge range of different animals to see. Kangaroos, wombats, owls, platypus (a must), bird flying demo (a must), bats, reptiles. A Cafe is also available as well as pram hire. A place I've been many times myself.

Adults - $ 22.00, Children - $ 11.00

Opening times are from 9am to 5pm. They are open every day of the year, including Christmas Day and all public holidays,.

A great place to eat...a great cellar door...and good wines...but the museum? ...stole the show. This is an art museum with modern art...and changing displays. It overlooks the yarra valley...and honestly...you could spend hours on this campus. We were not that crazy about using any time away from tasting wines...but it well worth it...and I'm so glad we stopped.