Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary

The worst experience I have ever had - my kids are still traumatised.At the end of last year I called to hand in a baby possum I had found in my local area. The woman I spoke to over the phone said that Healesville could take the possum and ensured me that we could also be involved in the release for the baby possum back into the wild. This was particularly important for me as one of my kids found the baby possum on a family walk and was very eager to be apart of the animals release back to the wild. Based on these assurances, we drove to Healesville and again clarified how we would be contacted when the time came to release the baby possum back to the wild. Again, the staff member said that she had all of our contact details from the paperwork we filled out on available and that the carer that the baby possum would go to in the community would contact us. At the time, it seemed to check out so we left knowing that we had done something good and would be able to see the little possum released back to the wild. Unfortunately, a number of weeks past and we were not contacted. My kids continuously asked what happened and I was unable to provide an explanation for them. Frustrated, both my husband and I called Healesville on seperate occasions and were told that we the carer would be in contact with us (a complete lie it turns out). My husband waited another week or so and then called back and encountered the rudest person we have ever spoken to. She was so dismissive and blatantly told us that Healesville don't do that and that we'd been misinformed. She didn't apologise despite admitting that the misinformation came from Healesville and spoke to my husband in the most vile way. Unfortunately, we didn't bother to call back following this interaction but we did decide to pull out very, very generous donations from this facility permanently. I will never bother with Healesville ever again and I would stress to others be aware of this situation in case you ever discover an injured or orphaned wild life in the community. You're better off finding another facility that will not lie to you and your family and build up false hopes for your children.

Wonderful. Informative. Would love to see more hands on for children!

Awesome place plenty of wild life

This place is great. Interactive and educational things for the kids to do in a safe environment. The sanctuary is just that, a sanctuary, to enjoy the peace and quiet and recharge your batteries in nature.

Very helpful.

Friendliest, loveliest and most knowledgeable rangers. The free flying birds sessions was one of a lifetime experience. The whole place is well planned and maintained. The hospital is a must see and highly educative and insightful for kids. Also plenty of playgrounds and other attractions to keep your little ones busy. Can't praise the Sanctuary highly enough. Thank you guys for being their for the animals!!

Great place, especially the birds show.

Currently under construction/renovation. Going to be amazing when finished!. Constructing a raptor flight centre and renovating the visitor engagement centre at the Healesville Sanctuary Animal Hospital for an awesome visitor experience.

Lovely staff that are genuinely helpful and kind. My daughter had a very positive experience taking some orphaned birds she had found there.