One of the best places in southern Australia to see native fauna, this wildlife park is home to kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, wombats and koalas. Highlights include Platypus House, where the shy underwater creatures can be observed, and the exciting Spirits of the Sky presentation, which features huge wedge-tailed eagles and colourful parrots soaring through the air (check the website for daily session times). Admission to the sanctuary for kids is free on weekends and holidays.
Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
Healesville Sanctuary
Top choice in Yarra Valley
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
8.59 MILES
The home of Australian opera singer Nellie Melba (1871–1931) has been reimagined as a thriving winery, restaurant and events facility by her descendants…
8.11 MILES
Dating from 1838, Yering Station was home to Victoria's first vineyard. Reinvented as a wine and events estate, it has a Mod Oz restaurant in a…
3.74 MILES
Housed in a striking Allan Powell–designed building at TarraWarra Estate, this excellent gallery showcases Australian art from the second half of the 20th…
5.56 MILES
Chandon is an example of mass wine tourism done well. The winery – a subsidiary of Moët & Chandon – produces sparkling wines and has a restaurant, lounge…
3.74 MILES
Though the art gallery and restaurant are the main attractions here, the winery has a lair-like underground cellar door and barrel room designed by…
25.11 MILES
The former home of John and Sunday Reed, Heide is a prestigious not-for-profit art gallery with a stunning sculpture garden. It holds regularly changing…
Dandenong Ranges National Park
17.86 MILES
This national park protects the largest areas of remaining forest in the Dandenongs, which are home to lush fern gullies and huge stands of mountain ash…
14.01 MILES
Drive up to SkyHigh for amazing views over Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay from the highest point in the Dandenongs. The view of the city lights at dusk is…
Nearby Yarra Valley attractions
1.38 MILES
Located on the former site of the Corenderk Mission, a government reserve for Indigenous Victorians who had been dispossessed of their traditional lands,…
2.18 MILES
Volunteer-operated, this railway has a restored 1940s Walker Railmotor that travels 4.5km from Healesville Station to TarraWarra Estate through an…
3.15 MILES
This large winery produces chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, which can be tasted at the cellar door ($5, redeemable on purchase). There's…
3.74 MILES
Though the art gallery and restaurant are the main attractions here, the winery has a lair-like underground cellar door and barrel room designed by…
3.74 MILES
Housed in a striking Allan Powell–designed building at TarraWarra Estate, this excellent gallery showcases Australian art from the second half of the 20th…
4.68 MILES
The estate-grown chardonnay and pinot noir are the star picks here; tastings cost $5 (redeemable on purchase) and tours ($49 for two people, including a…
4.88 MILES
A modern, architecturally notable winery on 35 acres of vines, Medhurst produces highly regarded pinot noir, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Tastings (…
5.4 MILES
Towering above Warburton is the ruggedly beautiful Yarra Ranges National Park. Mt Donna Buang (1250m) is the park highlight and is snow-topped in winter…