William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

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William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

How to get there

William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

Facilities

Toilets
Carpark
Visitor Centre

Need to know

William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

  • No bicycles
  • Restricted opening hours
  • No fires permitted
  • No dogs, cats, pets 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

In June 2021, a severe cyclogenesis storm event impacted the Dandenong Ranges area, resulting 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. 
 
Immediately after the storms, Parks Victoria staff worked alongside emergency services to reopen roads and tracks to provide safe access for the community.  Parks Victoria rangers have since cleared more than 100 kilometres of roads, walking trails and picnic grounds in the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges.   
 
The majority of storm impacted sites across the Dandenong Ranges have now re-opened, including all garden properties and the popular 1,000 Steps Walk.  This work has been further influenced by increased visitation (post-COVID restrictions lifting) and continued extreme weather events.
 
Storm recovery works have also commenced at William Ricketts Sanctuary, with perimeter fuel break clearing and hazardous tree removal occurring within the Sanctuary’s 13-hectare bushland block and its public car park area.  Boundary fencing repairs have also commenced. 
 
We are continuing to work on a plan to reopen the 2-hectare 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. 
 
Please 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)

Closures due to storm damage

  •      Valley Picnic Ground is closed to picnicking; visitors can use Boundary Road to access the park however         no vehicle access is permitted.
  •      Sections of Sassafras Creek/Menzies Creek walking track
  •      Wattle Track in Sherbrooke 
  •      William Ricketts Sanctuary
  •      Areas of Silvan/Olinda forest 

Attachments: DR Storm Damage Works - Autumn 2022 Flyer (1,671KB)

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