We love animals and we love wine. Put them together and you get Wine & Wildlife, a wholesome winter event at Healesville Sanctuary. Over one weekend in August, you’ll discover tasty drops from 22 wineries, breweries and distilleries from the Yarra Valley. As you sip, wander around the Sanctuary and admire koalas, dingoes and more. After that, warm up by the bonfire and listen to live acoustic music. Wine & Wildlife will take place on Saturday August 30 and Sunday August 31. Tastings will be available from 10:30am to 4pm, with members receiving early access from 10am.
Wine & Wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary
This event helps Healesville Sanctuary support their wildlife hospital, the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. They treat roughly 2,000 wild animals every year, as well as look after the health of Sanctuary residents. After enjoying a day of wine tasting, you can certainly go home happy, knowing that you’ve supported local animals.
Rug up in your winter woolies and explore the Sanctuary throughout the day. Then, grab a drink and settle in one of the giant tepees, or warm up by the crackling bonfires. Listen to live acoustic music under festoon lighting, and take part in a silent disco on the Koala Picnic Lawn.
Each ticket holder will receive their own BPA-free, reusable wine glass for tastings. Try offerings from producers around the region, including:
- Four Pillars
- De Bortoli
- Giant Steps
- Oakridge
- St Hubert’s
- Tokar Estate
- Hargreaves Hill
- Coldstream Brewery
- Boat O’Craigo
- Banks Botanical
- CherryHill
- Sutherland Estate
- Stag Lane Distillers
- Steels Gate Wines
- Watts River Brewing
- Payten & Jones
- Jayden Ong Wines
- Hop Hen Brewing
- Greenstone Vineyards
- Zonzo Estate
- Helen & Joey Estate
- Yarra Valley Cider
Non-alcoholic options will also be available, so you don’t have to worry about missing out.
If you’re feeling peckish, there will also be a range of hearty winter food available for purchase, including treats from Healesville Sanctuary’s three cafes.
Zoos Victoria members will also have the chance to enter a raffle prize. One winner will take home a prize pack valued at over $1,200, filled with products donated by the wineries, as well as a 12-month membership and a double pass for a close-up animal experience, excluding Platypus Discovery.
Tickets to this event will give you exclusive entry to the venue. General admission tickets to the Sanctuary will not be available on this particular weekend.
Early bird tickets for the general public are $45, and are available until Friday August 15. Standard tickets are $60. Meanwhile, early tickets for members are $27, and standard member tickets are $39. Children under 18 have free entry, and need to be accompanied by an adult. Learn more here.
