What is Moonlit Sanctuary

Moonlit Sanctuary is a wildlife conservation park located in Pearcedale on the Mornington Peninsula, about 50 minutes from Melbourne. It spans around 25 acres and is home to about 60 species (roughly 400 individual animals), of native Australian fauna.

Originally established as a night-tour wildlife park — spotlighting nocturnal species — it expanded over time and opened for full daytime visits from 2007 onwards.

Today it’s an award-winning, family-friendly facility offering immersive, up-close experiences with kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, dingoes, reptiles, birds and much more — all in natural bushland settings.

A quokka on the ground covered with dry leaves and some green foliage in the background.
A wedge tail Eagle at Moonlit Sanctuary perched on a tree branch, looking downward in a leafy forest setting.
Two Dingos relaxing at Moonlit Sanctuary.
A koala sitting on a tree branch surrounded by green leaves.
Close-up of a kookaburra bird perched on a branch, showing its white and brown feathers and dark eyes.
Green snake coiled around a branch, hanging upside down in a dense jungle setting.

Our Experience: In Our Own Words

We visited on a calm, drizzly Sunday afternoon—ideal weather for a relaxed wander with kids, cameras, and enough snacks to survive any situation. From arrival, everything felt easy: plenty of parking, a short walk to the entrance, and a map (or QR code) in hand before we’d even finished herding the children.

We started in a small aviary, snapping photos of a Superb Parrot and an Eastern Rosella among leafy, native planting and clear signage that actually tells you what you’re looking at. The sanctuary is built around a series of lakes and waterways, giving it a peaceful, wetland feel and attracting plenty of waterbirds—great for kids who like spotting ducks and listening for birdsong.

A capybara standing on a dirt path, with green grass and a tree stump in the background.
Sign saying 'welcome to Moonlit Sanctuary' on a dark wooden fence, decorated with orange animal cutouts including a kangaroo, a possum, and a hedgehog.

The koala enclosure sits along one of the main loops, with several koalas doing what koalas do best: not much. We did get lucky, though, catching keepers in the enclosure, which briefly encouraged some movement. After lunch, we explored the reptile house—small but engaging—with snakes, lizards, bearded dragons, and even a freshwater crocodile close enough for kids to really take it all in.

The highlight was the Wallaby Walk, where kangaroos and wallabies roam freely and can be hand-fed. The kids loved being able to get so close, and there are plenty of different species to spot. We also saw a Tasmanian devil feeding and spent time watching dingoes being calmly fed by keepers—surprisingly dog-like and very relaxed.

We finished with ice creams at the café, a quick browse of the gift shop, and a bathroom stop, all set in a peaceful area by the water. One of the real highlights of the visit was the staff—friendly, approachable, and genuinely generous with their knowledge. They shared interesting information about the animals throughout the park and were more than happy to answer our daughter’s many, many questions, taking the time to engage without ever making it feel rushed. We spent about two hours exploring at an easy pace, which felt just right for a relaxed family outing.

Two owls perched on a branch inside a wooden owl box.

Location

Moonlit Sanctuary is located in Pearcedale, Victoria, on the Mornington Peninsula, approximately 50 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. The sanctuary is easily accessed by car via the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, taking the Baxter–Tooradin Road exit and following signs toward Pearcedale. It is well positioned for visitors travelling from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, or Gippsland.

Transport

Entrance to Moonlit Sanctuary, an Australian animal sanctuary, with visitors entering and signs indicating day entry hours and ticket information.
 

By Car: 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale VIC 3912, Australia

Parking: Lots of free onsite parking

Public Transport: Public transport is technically possible, but the combination of train, bus, and walk makes it a long and tricky journey—driving is by far the easiest and most family-friendly way to reach Moonlit Sanctuary.

Cost

Entrance:

  • Adult (18+): $34

  • Child (4–17 years): $17

  • Children under 4: free

  • Family (2 adults + 2 children): $90

  • Additional child on family pass: $12

Parking: Free

Extras: We spent $15 on cold drinks and ice-creams in the cafe after our walk

Time to Allow

A bird with brown and white striped feathers inside a wire enclosure, sitting on the ground covered with leaves and twigs.

We spent around two hours at Moonlit Sanctuary and found that this was a comfortable amount of time to explore at a relaxed pace without attending any of the scheduled animal talks or shows. Visitors who plan to take part in these presentations could easily spend a full day at the sanctuary, allowing more time to move between areas and engage with the experiences on offer.

Why We Think Moonlit Sanctuary is a Winner for Families

Moonlit Sanctuary strikes a rare balance: it’s intimate and small enough to feel manageable with kids, pram-friendly and relaxed — yet rich with variety. You’ve got classic Aussie mammals, reptiles, a stunning bird life, and even wetlands and natural bushland vibes.

For families, you get educational value (keeper talks, natural habitats), hands-on interaction (feeding, walking among kangaroos), and the kind of relaxed, unhurried pace that makes for a gentle afternoon out rather than a zoo-style dash around.

If you want your kids to experience Australian wildlife without the noise and rush of bigger attractions, this place is hard to beat.

Tame wallabys and kangaroos at moonlit sanctuary are a great way to introduce children to wildlife.
A koala bear sitting on a tree branch surrounded by eucalyptus leaves in a natural habitat.
Using signs around Moonlit Sanctuary as our reading practice and animal education.

They do have night tours here, and its on our to do list~ stay tuned for the review