William Ricketts Sanctuary
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Temporarily closed until further notice
William Ricketts Sanctuary
William Ricketts Sanctuary
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
372 reviews
Excellent
257
Very good
94
Average
19
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Flyer597278
52 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
We love this sanctuary. Beautiful nature walk with plenty of surprising sculptures n all for a donation. Nice cool walks on hot days.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia27,929 contributions
Apr 2021
Firstly, it is very much open and not closed as indicated by Tripadvisor. William Ricketts (1898-1993) who settled in the Dandenongs in 1934 made many trips to Aboriginal communities in Central Australia between 1949 and 1960. The sanctuary has some 90 works, most about indigenous Australians carved into rocks or tree trunks amid dense tree frens and Mountain Ash
Written April 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
familyxfive
Yinnar, Australia87 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Lovely walk through William Ricketts Sanctuary. Interesting history and beautiful sculptures. It is also free! Definitely worth a visit.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenni Dee
Chania, Greece54 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
A very pleasant afternoon spent wandering around. You don’t need long but it’s worth stopping for a bit to stretch your legs and appreciate Ricketts’ work. Make sure you read the statements dotted around.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
landueli
Adelaide, Australia431 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
To me a MUST when in Melbourne
Well worth to go out and visit as it's amazing the harmony between human art work and Mother Nature
Don't miss out on this visit
May not a great place with kids as they may are not so interested on this
Well worth to go out and visit as it's amazing the harmony between human art work and Mother Nature
Don't miss out on this visit
May not a great place with kids as they may are not so interested on this
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa
Melbourne, Australia220 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
The drive alone up the this sanctuary is worth visiting alone.
Beautiful scenery outside of Melbourne central.
The sanctuary itself is beautiful. Very easy to walk around on the walking tracks with stunning artwork to stop and view along the way and some beautiful history to learn.
Allow at least an hour here and then make sure you continue to drive around and explore the rest of the Dandenong ranges.
Beautiful scenery outside of Melbourne central.
The sanctuary itself is beautiful. Very easy to walk around on the walking tracks with stunning artwork to stop and view along the way and some beautiful history to learn.
Allow at least an hour here and then make sure you continue to drive around and explore the rest of the Dandenong ranges.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
soudendyk
3 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
Interesting to read the information about William Rickett and see the clay sculptures he passionately created.
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warners1
Lake Macquarie, Australia1,282 contributions
Nov 2019
This sanctuary is a credit to Victoria Parks. A free exhibition and walking paths to see the wonderful sculptures created by the late William Ricketts. Beautiful ferns and the wonderful Mountain Ash trees dominate this small area. Well worth a short visit for under an hour.
Written November 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steven s
melbourne18 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
A special place with a special vibration, I loved it, definitely worth the visit for the sculptures, the thought provoking words of wisdom. Take your time soak it in.
Written October 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam B
Melbourne, Australia27 contributions
Oct 2019
Ideal little Sanctuary if you wish to wander around the walking track while observing the huge trees of Mt Dandenong, and the wonderful carvings of William Ricketts. There is a carving of the White God that looks remarkably like Tony Abbott, which we found quite funny. Fascinating history and Relaxed walk among the ferns too!
Written October 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmberM
Melbourne, Australia24 contributions
Hi, anyone know if this still closed? Just wanted to double check, in case that the site hasn’t been updated. Thanks
Ruth w
Ashford kent9 contributions
How long should i allow for this visit
Earthwise-Woman
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
A few hours at least to have a good explore....
jacktripper12
Melbourne, Australia311 contributions
Can you bring a dog on a lead
Matt H
Melbourne, Australia9 contributions
Sorry for late reply, you’ve probably already been.
I don’t remember seeing any signs saying no dogs but I doubt you would be able to take dogs in there.
Ruth C
Christchurch, UK72 contributions
Hi I will be staying in Melbourne for December this year. I would love to visit the sanctuary whilst there, but will not have my own transport. Is sit possible to visit using Public Transport?
Kind regards
Ruth Courtney
Robert S
Halifax, Canada150 contributions
I would think you must rent a car and meander around the area of the sanctuary as the small towns / villages are amazing. I doubt if public transit goes there but I am not from the area. The sanctuary was mind boggling but the towns were super with wonderful little shops and diners. It is not far from the outskirts of Melbourne but a good hike from the center of the city. Well worth the journey!
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Claim your listingWILLIAM RICKETTS SANCTUARY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about William Ricketts Sanctuary
- Hotels near William Ricketts Sanctuary:
- (0.13 km) Linden Gardens Rainforest Retreat
- (0.20 km) Tudor Cottages Mount Dandenong
- (0.20 km) Etna Cottage - lovely, private, corner spa bath
- (0.40 km) Observatory Cottages
- (0.44 km) Arnica Views
- Restaurants near William Ricketts Sanctuary:
- (0.06 km) Eden
- (0.73 km) SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
- (1.33 km) Pig & Whistle Tavern
- (2.62 km) Olinda Cafe
- (1.61 km) Kelly's Bar and Kitchen
- Attractions near William Ricketts Sanctuary:
- (0.52 km) Bourke's Lookout
- (0.67 km) SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
- (2.39 km) Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
- (7.05 km) Liberty Balloon Flights
- (7.05 km) Liberty Balloon Flights GEELONG and Bellarine Peninsula