THERE’S nothing like Australian summer – the dry, hot weather and sunshine makes for a great time to visit the Yarra Valley.
A well-travelled destination for visitors is the iconic Healesville Sanctuary, where Australian animals galore can be seen and admired in a bush setting, just a few minutes drive out of town.
The sanctuary, which opened in 1934, hosts innumerable animals, from koalas and kangaroos to snakes, birds and Tasmanian Devils in its sprawling grounds – and you’ll need more than a day to see it all.
There are keeper talks and presentations, such as the Spirits of the Sky event to be seen, and the chance to happen across dingoes going for a walk around the grounds with their keepers.
For those who have visited in the past, there’ll be plenty of new sights, such as the recently-built Koala Forest exhibit, where visitors can travel on a new treetop boardwalk to see one of Australia’s most well-known animals.
Bird-watchers and those after a time-out can relax at the refurbished wetlands area at the sanctuary, with a specially-built bird-hide available to watch or photographs birds in their natural habitat.
Visitors can also see behind the scenes at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, which cares for more than 1500 injured or orphaned animals every year – and children can bring in their teddies on school holidays for a free Teddy Vet Check.
On school holidays, Victorian public holidays and weekends, children under 16 can visit the sanctuary free-of-charge. Teddies can also visit, as long as they have their carer with them.
To get up close and personal with animals, the sanctuary also offers encounters with animals, for $12 per person. Visitors can also book to wade with platypuses in their tanks on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sunday from 11.15am for $175 per person.
For more information about the sanctuary and its animals, or to book an encounter, visit www.zoo.org.au
