Sculptor, thinker, environmentalist, wildlife and indigenous crusader – William Rickett’s clearly lived life with a passion for what he loved.  And these beautiful gardens offer an opportunity to drink in the nature he was so connected to.

Where:  1402 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Mt Dandenong.  Click here for map.

When:  Gates open 10am to 4:30pm daily (except Christmas Day).  May close on high fire risk days.

Cost: FREE

Holiday Workshop – Junior Rangers

Holiday Workshop – Junior Rangers

Holiday Workshop – Junior Rangers

Hello Possum

From my childhood I recall that on a hot summers day William Rickett’s Sanctuary was one of the best places to be – it’s deliciously cool.  And revisiting today (while it was 30C in Melbourne) the memory was accurate – I am sure that once inside the front gates it’s even a couple of degrees cooler than the rest of the Dandenongs.

The kids loved exploring all the paths and finding all the sculptures hidden amongst the ferns and moss, discovering small waterways to float leaves down and watching and listening to the birds.

If you are planning a trip to the Dandenongs you should include a stop at the Sanctuary.  Most of the paths are accessible to prams.  The car park is located on the opposite side of the road – be sure to take extra care crossing as there are blind corners that make it a little tricky to navigate.

During school holidays Parks Victoria do run FREE activities – best to check their website for up to date information.