Things to Do inHealesville & the Yarra Valley

Healesville is the gateway to the Yarra Valley. Start with Healesville Sanctuary for koalas, kangaroos and more than 200 native species, then spend a day at the cellar doors — Domaine Chandon and Yering Station are close by. Four Pillars gin distillery is in town, the Black Spur Drive winds through towering mountain ash forest just north of Healesville, and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Yarra Valley Dairy and TarraWarra Museum of Art are all an easy drive. For something special, take a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the valley.

Healesville Sanctuary is the favourite — close encounters with koalas, kangaroos and native birds. Kids also love the free tastings and ice cream at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, and Puffing Billy steam train is about 40 minutes away. Back at Sanctuary House there's an outdoor pool, games room, playground and BBQ, with family rooms and self-contained units.

The Yarra Valley Farmers Market, cellar-door tastings and Healesville Sanctuary run most weekends. Check our Events page for what's on at Sanctuary House, and ask at reception when you arrive — we're happy to point you to what's happening locally.

Healesville is about 65 km north-east of Melbourne's CBD — roughly an hour's drive via the Maroondah Highway, which makes it an easy weekend escape or day trip.

Sanctuary House Resort Motel, at 326 Badger Creek Road, is about a 10-minute walk from Healesville Sanctuary and a 5-minute drive from Healesville township. Rooms start from $145 a night, with an outdoor pool, spa, sauna, on-site restaurant and bar, and free parking on 10 quiet acres. Booking direct on our website is our best rate, with no booking fees.

Our own restaurant and bar at Sanctuary House is open to everyone, not just hotel guests — see the Restaurant page for today's hours. In Healesville township, No.7 Healesville is a stylish café and wine bar, and the Yarra Valley's cellar doors — Domaine Chandon, Yering Station and more — serve long lunches with valley views.

The Black Spur is the stretch of the Maroondah Highway between Healesville and Narbethong, on the way to Marysville. It starts about 10 minutes' drive from Sanctuary House and is famous for its towering mountain ash and tree ferns — allow 1–2 hours to drive it with stops.