About Moonlit Sanctuary
Moonlit Sanctuary is a wildlife conservation park located at Pearcedale on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, about 60 km southeast of Melbourne. Opened in 2001, it focuses on Australian native animals and endangered species breeding. The sanctuary is known for its immersive bushland setting, close-up encounters with kangaroos, koalas and waterbirds, and its acclaimed evening lantern-lit tours for nocturnal wildlife viewing.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore a bushland sanctuary with walking trails, wetlands and open enclosures housing kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, reptiles and extensive waterbird collections. Expect free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies that can be hand-fed, keeper talks and scheduled feeding presentations, a visitor centre with cafe and gift shop, and optional guided day tours and evening lantern-lit tours to see nocturnal animals such as bettongs, gliders and owls.
Key highlights
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Hand-feeding free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies
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Evening lantern-lit guided tours to see nocturnal Australian animals
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Koala encounters and keeper talks
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Extensive waterbird wetlands with rare and endangered species
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Conservation breeding programs for endangered species including Tasmanian devil and orange-bellied parrot
History of Moonlit Sanctuary
Established in 2001 by Michael and Annette Johnson on a former farmland site, developed as a wildlife conservation park dedicated to Australian native fauna, wetland restoration and captive breeding of endangered species
Culture & Context
Plays a role in conservation education and public awareness of Australian native wildlife and habitats, including interpretation of the ecological and cultural value of native species
Route
| By air | Fly to Melbourne Airport (MEL) then drive approximately 80 km via EastLink and Peninsula Link |
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