Healesville: Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary

A Koala eating gum leaves.

Just over an hours drive from Melbourne CBD and set on 30 hectares of bush-land, Healesville Sanctuary is a wildlife haven and protected zone for a variety of Australia's native flora & fauna. 

An inquisitive Emu.

Having lived in Melbourne 94% of my life, it puzzles me as to why I had never been to Healesville Sanctuary. I heard the word "Healesville" when invited and for some silly reason thought that this would involve up-hill hiking, therefore, wore sensible shoes. Call me naive, I deserve it. I had to laugh once we arrived and I realised we were at a zoo. My trusty flip-flops would have been ideal on this 36 degree, summer's day.

The animals were very interested in my camera and I was able to capture some great photos.​

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Happy to catch this little guy awake. Koala's sleep for up to 22 hours per day.

The same Koala (pictured above) posing for another photo munching on some gum leaves. He wouldn't stop looking at my camera.

A bit of background info...

Just over an hours drive from Melbourne CBD and set on 30 hectares of bush-land, Healesville Sanctuary is a wildlife haven and protected zone for a variety of Australia's native flora and fauna. Walking through the well designed and maintained grounds, you will find a number of exhibits and information on the following Australian animals:​

• Koalas. 
• Kangaroos.
• Rock-Wallabies.
• Tasmanian Devils.
• Emus.
• Echidnas.
• Possums.

• Wombats. 
• Dingoes. 
• Platypus.
• Reptiles.
• Fruitbats/ Flying Foxes.
• Various bird/ avian species.
• Plus more...

Healesville Sanctuary also play a major role in an extensive captive breeding program managed by Zoo's Victoria. Most notable is their work with Tasmanian Devils. 85% of Australia's wild population of Tasmanian Devils are affected by Devil Facial Tumour Disease. As part of the 'Save the Tasmanian Devil’ program, Healesville Sanctuary are working hard to secure a future for the species, aiming to breed and manage a sustainable captive population of approx 120 Devils.

An active little Tasmanian Devil bolted through his enclosure with his mind on one thing...

Cooling down and having a swim.

If I was a fruit bat, I think I'd be a lot like the one on the left.

Kangaroo taking a break in the ridiculous heat.

Unlike other wildlife sanctuaries I have been to in Victoria, Healesville operates more like a zoo than a sanctuary. You are unable to purchase food to hand-feed the animals. If you would love the experience of hand-feeding Aussie wildlife, I recommend a visit to Pearcedale's Moonlit Wildlife Sanctuary or the Phillip Island Wildlife Park instead.

An Echidna foraging through his enclosure

Love this little guy!

An Echidna.

A Rock Wallaby, living up to its name.

A Rock Wallaby and her baby (about to jump in her pouch).

The cutest little lovebirds. The bird on the right - I presume the female - kept trying to move away from the bird on the left, but he kept following her, not giving up, devouring her with torrid kisses.

Birds inside the aviary at Healesville Sanctuary.

Healesville Sanctuary Location

Badger Creek Rd, Healesville VIC, 3777
PHONE: 1300 966 784

Open from 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days per week.

To access via train:
​Take a Lilydale Line train to Lilydale Railway Station and then catch
bus 685 to take you to Healesville Sanctuary.

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ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS AUSTRALIA
Phillip Island Wildlife Park.
​Victoria, Australia.

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS INDONESIA
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. ​

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