Wine & Wildlife FAQ
Wine & Wildlife tastings kick off at 10.30am each day, however Healesville Sanctuary is open from 9am and we recommend getting in early to enjoy the Sanctuary before the event begins.
Everyone (including babies and Zoo Members) attending Wine & Wildlife must have the following:
- A pre-booked ticket to visit Healesville Sanctuary. For babies and those under 18 this ticket is free but still must be pre-booked. For those aged 18 and over, this ticket costs $55* or $44* if you are a Zoo Member, and includes a free tasting glass for you to use throughout the day.
- Zoo Members, please also make sure you also bring your Zoo Membership card to show at the gate.
*Concession and senior prices available. See main webpage for more information.
You can print your ticket or display it on your phone, but your ticket must be produced on entry. Zoos Victoria Members will need to show their membership cards in addition to their Wine & Wildlife and pre-booked zoo tickets.
Firstly, we recommend getting in early and securing your ticket to Wine & Wildlife. Some days of Wine & Wildlife are more popular than others, so if you’ve missed out on your preferred day, try an alternate day. If the day you want to attend the zoo is showing as sold out online then no additional tickets are available and will not be available at the gate. Please do not arrive at the zoo without a pre-booked zoo ticket for everyone, including babies If you do not have a pre-purchased ticket we cannot guarantee entry to Healesville Sanctuary.
We welcome our Zoo Member to come along to Healesville Sanctuary to enjoy this special weekend and celebrate what we love about the Yarra Valley.
Wine & Wildlife is an annual event that we have been holding for 12 years and it contributes significantly to our work at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, rehabilitating native animals.
As a Zoos Victoria member, tickets to Wine & Wildlife are discounted by 20%, only $48 for adults and free of charge for children under the age of 18.
Members will not be able to scan in as normal during the two event days and must purchase an event ticket to enter.
Wine & Wildlife is a fully licensed event – visitors are not permitted to bring their own alcohol. Alcoholic beverages will be available for tasting and for purchase inside the Sanctuary. Your Wine & Wildlife ticket includes all tastings throughout the day.
Healesville Sanctuary is an outdoor all-weather venue and in the event of rain, Wine & Wildlife will proceed. NO RAINCHECKS. We encourage our visitors to dress for the weather, pop your gumboots and a warm coat on and embrace the season! In the event of an emergency ticket holders will be contacted via email and kept up to date via the Zoos Victoria website and social media pages.
Healesville Sanctuary is located on Badger Creek Road, Healesville. Take the Eastern Freeway out of Melbourne, then drive east along Maroondah Highway through Ringwood and Lilydale to Healesville. Turn right into Badger Creek Road, just past the township centre. From there, road signs will guide you to Healesville Sanctuary.
Public transport: Catch a train on the Lilydale Line to Lilydale Station, then catch bus 685 from Lilydale Station to Healesville Sanctuary.
We are a cashless zoo. We accept card and digital payments at all four Zoos Victoria zoos, being Melbourne Zoo, Kyabram Fauna Park, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.
Some vendors may accept cash but all vendors will accept digital payments.
The Wine & Wildlife reusable picnic glass included in your ticket price acts as your ‘ticket to tasting’. One reusable glass that you can use throughout the day significantly reduces the amount of waste you generate compared to offering single-use glasses at each tasting stand.
Unfortunately, you cannot bring your own glassware to the Sanctuary. Our Wine & Wildlife picnic wine glasses are 100% reusable and recyclable. This glass is also included in your ticket purchase.
You are permitted to bring your own food to the event. However there will be a delicious range of food options available for purchase throughout the Sanctuary. Pop-up vendors include Paella, South Indian Street Food, Gourmet Doughnuts, Artisan Cheese, Crepes and a Chipperie. Visitors can also bring non-alcoholic drinks however they are NOT permitted to bring their own alcoholic beverages into the Sanctuary.
Everyone attending Wine & Wildlife will need to book a Wine & Wildlife ticket. All Wine & Wildlife tickets for those aged 18+ include a souvenir Wine & Wildlife picnic glass which is yours to keep. There will be plenty of things to enjoy including live music and lots of other activities and entertainment!
Yes, each individual will need to book a free ticket, regardless of their age. Please note: persons under 15 years of age must be accompanied by their parent, guardian or a legal adult.
SPECIFIC TO 16-17 year old concessions: Everyone attending Wine & Wildlife will need to purchase a Wine & Wildlife ticket. All tickets for those 18 years and older include entry to Healesville Sanctuary and a souvenir picnic glass which is yours to keep. There’s plenty more to enjoy at Wine & Wildlife including, live music and lots of other entertainment!
Yes, you can swap the dates of your online ticket purchase by calling the Zoos Victoria Customer Engagement Team on 1300 966 784. Day swaps will be subject to availability as event attendance is limited this year.