Animal sanctuaries

Ballarat Wildlife Park

This wildlife park is dedicated to educating everyone on the beauty and fragility of Victoria's native species. Get up and close with koalas, kangaroos, emus, other native animals and exotic reptiles.

Location: Ballarat

Caldermeade Farm

Located between Koo Wee Rup and Lang Lang, Caldermeade Farm is a great place to stop when making the journey between Melbourne and Phillip Island. A commercial dairy farm operates on the property, milking hundreds of cows per day, and visitors can observe the whole process taking place from an elevated viewing room. There is also an animal nursery where visitors of all ages can pat and feed a variety of baby animals including calves, lambs, goats, ducks and chickens. Take a stroll around the gardens where there is a lake, picnic shelters and playground. When you are all done, make your way to the fully licensed cafe for outstanding food, snacks or coffee.

Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park

Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park is located on the Great Ocean Road at Princetown, just a short drive from the 12 Apostles. The 16 hectare property includes an animal sanctuary where native animals live in a free range setting, a petting area for visitors to interact with and hand feed friendly animals, a grazing field for herd animals, organic gardens and an orchard. Refreshments and European-style pizza available.

Halls Gap Zoo

A wildlife park and zoo set on a tranquil 10 hectare site with hundreds of native and exotic animals. Visitors can touch, feel and cuddle the animals here, a great place for children to discover the beauty of wildlife.

Location: Halls Gap

Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary is home to more than 200 species of native birds, mammals and reptiles, all within in a beautiful bushland setting. Visitors can experience close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, dingoes and echidnas. There several cafes and picnic grounds located within the zoo.

Location: Healesville

Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation & Wildlife Centre

Experience the ultimate in wildlife encounters. Get up close with native animals including dingoes, koalas, emus, wombats and reptiles. Visitors are also educated on the history and conservation work being done at this centre to help preserve the biodiversity of Australia's native species.

Location: Castlemaine

Koala Conservation Reserve

Spot these lovable native animals by taking a stroll along the tree-top boardwalks and bush tracks. Guides are often on hand to explain the finer points of a koala's diet and lifestyle. The centre is also home to other native animals including echidnas, possums, wallabies and many species of birds.

Location: Rhyll

Kyabram Fauna Park

Located within the town of Kyabram in northern Victoria, Kyabram Fauna Park is home to over 600 native animals including kangaroos, emus, dingoes, reptiles and birdlife. The wildlife sanctuary covers 55 hectares and includes wetlands, bushland, a free range animal hand feeding area, gift shop, cafe and picnic areas.

Mansfield Zoo

The zoo is situated on 12 hectares of picturesque parkland and features the region's largest range of native and exotic animals together with a licensed cafe, gift shop and picnic areas. This is the type of zoo where the visitors get well and truly involved in feeding the animals.

Location: Mansfield

Maru Koala & Animal Park

Maru Koala & Animal Park is a great day out for kids and includes plenty of amusements and activities to keep the whole family entertained. Pat a koala, hand feed a kangaroo and see other animals including emus, dingoes, wombats and parrots. There is mini-golf with a pirate theme and a bistro offering sit-down meals and takeaway food.

Location: Grantville

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo first opened its doors in 1862 and is now home to over 300 animal species. An exhilarating day can be had viewing native and international species of animals such as kangaroos, elephants, tigers, many different types of reptiles and cuddly koalas. Highlights include the lion gorge, orangutan sanctuary, giraffe viewing platform and the magical butterfly house. Melbourne Zoo offers great day out for the whole family.

Location: Parkville

Moonlit Sanctuary

At Pearcedale, on the edge of the Mornington Peninsula, Moonlit Sanctuary offers an unforgettable experience with Australian wildlife. The enchanting bushland within the sanctuary is home to over 70 species of animals, with visitors able to get up close with many of them. Hand feed kangaroos and wallabies, cuddle adorable koalas and participate in captivating encounters with birds, reptiles and other fascinating creatures. Unique evening tours by lantern allow visitors to meet nocturnal animals in their natural environment.

Phillip Island Wildlife Park

Experience a close encounter with animals in this 25 hectare park. It includes kangaroos roaming through the grounds, an elevated koala viewing boardwalk, many types of birds and over 100 different species of Australian animals.

Location: Cowes

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium

An exotic and educational aquarium for visitors of all ages. It is dedicated to Southern Ocean and Antarctic marine life with many interactive experiences. Come face to face with huge sharks, get up and close to a colony of sub-Antarctic penguins, glide along in a glass bottom boat offering a unique window to an underwater world, and see the largest collection of seahorse and seadragons in the world.

Location: Melbourne CBD

Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

Situated between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, Tower Hill is located in an extinct volcano. Visitors are able to get up close and very personal with land-dwelling animals. It has been set up and maintained as a wildlife haven since the 1950s and is abundant with emus, echidnas and many different types of Australian water birds. The Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre is located within the reserve and offers guided interactive walks led by experienced local guides.

Werribee Open Range Zoo

This zoo is a really different experience for animal lovers. Animals from the grasslands of Australia, Africa and Asia live in conditions similar to their natural habitats. Visitors can get very close to giraffes, rhinos, lions and many other animals by taking a 4WD safari tour or a guided walk through the huge zoo grounds which cover 225 hectares. It's a taste of African adventure near Melbourne.

Location: Werribee