William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

How to get there

William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

Facilities

Toilets
Carpark
Visitor Centre

Need to know

William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

  • No bicycles
  • Restricted opening hours
  • No fires permitted
  • No dogs allowed
  • No vehicles
  • Management vehicle only

Warnings

  • Other warnings
    • Limbs may fall take care

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

William Ricketts Sanctuary - Temporary Closure

The June 2021 storm event severely impacted the Dandenong Ranges, resulting in fallen trees and branches, blocked access to roads and tracks and damage to numerous assets.  Recovery from a storm event is a slow, complex process and within the Dandenong Ranges there remains many private and public assets that remain unliveable, unoccupied, or not yet re-opened.
 
William Ricketts Sanctuary was extensively damaged, with many sculptures, buildings, pathways, and handrails destroyed by numerous large fallen Mountain Ash trees. Continued rainfall and storm events over the past few years has further hampered the recovery progress.
 
Our highest priority is public and staff safety, and this site remains too dangerous for the public to enter. Works are continuing to make the Sanctuary safe for Parks Victoria and its contractors to continue the recovery process.
 
Despite this, storm recovery works have commenced at William Ricketts Sanctuary, with fuel break clearing and hazardous tree removal occurring within the Sanctuary’s 13-hectare bushland block and the public car park area. Large fallen trees within the Sanctuary’s 2-hectare visitor gallery have been removed and perimeter fencing repairs are nearing completion. Underground utility service connections have been re-established and other important building and facility safety maintenance works are underway.
 
 Parks Victoria is continuing to work on a plan to make the site safe, but it is going to take longer than other sites due to the sheer scale of the damage and the artistic and cultural importance of the sculptures. At this stage, there is no specific date when the Sanctuary will re-open, but it is not expected to be during 2024.
 
We understand it’s disappointing that William Ricketts Sanctuary remains closed, and we are grateful to the local community, our stakeholders and visitors for their patience and continued priority to keep safe by staying outside of these closed areas.
 
Please continue to refer to the Parks Victoria website for up-to-date information relating to closures and change of conditions.
 
Whilst the Sanctuary remains closed, Parks Victoria recommends visitors explore the other Dandenong Ranges Gardens, including the nearby Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, Pirianda Garden, Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden or George Tindale Memorial Garden.  Further information for each garden can be found on this website.

Attachments: WRS June 2021 Storm Damage Images (4,291KB)

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