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)

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William Ricketts Sanctuary (William Ricketts Sanctuary)

Facilities

Toilets

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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, 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)