Explore
William Ricketts Sanctuary
Opening hours
- William Ricketts Sanctuary is temporarily closed following the June 2021 storm event.
While Parks Victoria has fully re-opened most of the parks impacted in the Dandenongs and Yarra Ranges by the June 2021 storm, unfortunately William Ricketts Sanctuary remains closed.
William Ricketts Sanctuary was extensively damaged, with many sculptures, buildings, pathways and handrails destroyed by numerous large fallen trees. Continued rainfall and storm events over the past two years has hampered recovery progress.
Our highest priority is safety for public and staff, and this site remains too dangerous for the public to enter.
Parks Victoria are continuing to work on a plan to reopen the visitor gallery section of the Sanctuary, 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 before 2024.
We understand this is disappointing and are grateful to the local community and visitors for their patience and continued priority to keep safe by staying outside of these closed areas.
Refer to the ‘Change of Conditions’ section at the bottom of this webpage for further information.
Situated in a ferny glade in the Dandenongs, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, featuring extraordinary sculptures of people and animals half-hidden in the natural environment, just waiting to be discovered.
Interconnecting paths take you on a magical tour of cool temperate forest, lush fern gullies, and the 92 striking sculptures, perfect for quiet reflection and contemplation of the vision of artist William Ricketts.
An audio tour bringing to life the work and passion of William Ricketts is available for hire at the sanctuary for a fee of $5.
A gallery featuring additional works by William Ricketts, as well as information on the artist and his sculptures, can be found in the north-west area of the grounds.
Things to do
Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Dandenong Ranges National Park
RJ Hamer Arboretum
Tours and adventure experiences in parks
One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.
There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.
Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.
Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.
How to get there
William Ricketts Sanctuary
When you're there
Download the William Ricketts Sanctuary visitor guide (PDF) for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.
Help us care for the park:
- There are no rubbish bins provided in this garden; carry in carry out.
- No dogs, cats or other pets are permitted at this site.
- Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades are not permitted.
- Drones are not permitted without a pre-approved permit.
- Plants and flowers are protected for the benefit of the community. Leave the plants for others to enjoy.
- Do not feed the wildlife.
Take an audio tour of the sanctuary
An audio tour bringing to life the work and passion of William Ricketts is available for hire at the sanctuary for a fee of $5.00.
With 92 sculptures of people and animals to explore in their magnificent natural surroundings, the full-length audio tour takes you on a journey through the Sanctuary, bringing to life the work and passion of William Ricketts.
The audio tour provides fascinating insight into William Ricketts life, particularly the time spent with communities in Central Australia, and his message to the Australian people regarding the relationship between our natural environment and Indigenous people.
Use the audio tour and map (PDF) to enrich your experience in the sanctuary or learn about the sanctuary as you travel to the park, or back at home.
- William Ricketts Sanctuary audio tour, part 1 (8MB MP3): An introduction to the sanctuary, guiding you from the information centre to the old house where videos are on display.
- William Ricketts Sanctuary audio tour, part 2 (10MB MP3): Takes you from the 'shrine' at the back of the old house, into the grotto and up to the base of the new house on the main track.
- William Ricketts Sanctuary audio tour, part 3 (11MB MP3): Guides you through some of William Ricketts' more expansive and well-known works. It starts at Australia Crucified, passing through the gallery, past the Earthly Mother, Pmara Kutata and returns you to the information centre at the end of the tour.
Need to know
William Ricketts Sanctuary
Accessibility
William Ricketts Sanctuary is not suitable for picnics. Nearby picnic areas are available in the Alfred Nicholas Gardens and parts of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Built on the side of a hill, the sanctuary is not big and can be explored slowly. However, manual wheelchair users may need assistance due to the steepness of some sections of the paths.
Safety in nature
Please be aware that this garden is home to wildlife, including snakes and spiders. Wasps may also be in the area.
Waterbodies are for display and not for swimming; children must be closely supervised. Paths may become slippery if wet and large trees feature in this area. The garden will be closed on days of extreme winds as tree limbs can fall without warning.
This garden is in a high fire danger area and will be closed on days of Total Fire Ban.
Weddings
Thinking of holding a wedding ceremony or taking wedding photography in the garden? Find out more about wedding permit applications and guidelines.
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.
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William Ricketts Sanctuary
William Ricketts Sanctuary - Temporary Closure
Parks Victoria has fully re-opened 14 of the 17 parks impacted by a severe cyclogenesis storm event in the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges on June 9, 2021. The storm resulted in fallen trees and branches, blocked access to roads and tracks and damage to numerous assets.William Ricketts Sanctuary was extensively damaged, with many sculptures, buildings, pathways and handrails destroyed by numerous large fallen trees. Our highest priority is public and staff safety, and this site remains too dangerous to enter.We are continuing to work on a plan to reopen William Ricketts Sanctuary, 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.Storm recovery works have commenced at William Ricketts Sanctuary. Initial perimeter fuel break clearing, fallen timber and hazardous tree removal works have occurred within the Sanctuary’s 13-hectare bushland block, the 2-hectare sculpture gallery and public car park. Further fallen timber, debris and boundary fencing repairs will commence shortly.At this stage, there is no specific date when the Sanctuary will re-open, but it is not expected to be before 2024.We are grateful to the local community, our stakeholders and visitors for their patience and continued priority to keep safe by staying outside of this closed area.Please continue to refer to the Parks Victoria website for up-to-date information relating to closures and change of conditions.Attachments: WRS June 2021 Storm Damage Images (4,291KB)