Moonlit Sanctuary: Get Up Close with Kangaroos

For those who love animals and nature in a unique way, you must visit the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park in Melbourne. This place is not your typical zoo; it feels like stepping into a forest filled with Australia's native wildlife. The atmosphere here is incredibly "up close and personal." Most of the animals roam freely, like kangaroos and wallabies, which you can pet and feed up close (animal food is available for purchase at the entrance). Feeding the kangaroos is such a delightful experience—they come up to sniff and eat from your hand in the cutest way possible. Other animals, such as koalas, dingoes, and owls, have their own separate zones, but it doesn’t feel restrictive. You can still get a close look at them. The highlight you absolutely shouldn’t miss is feeding the animals up close. Be sure to buy animal food to feed the kangaroos, wallabies, or even join a tour to feed other species. This is an experience you won’t easily find at regular zoos. However, on the day we visited, some of the animals seemed quite full, so they were a bit less interested in the food. How to Get There Moonlit Sanctuary is about a 50-minute drive from Melbourne. The best way to get there is by renting a car for convenience. Driving: Simply set your destination in Google Maps to "Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park." There’s plenty of parking available. Train + Taxi/Uber: Take a train from Flinders Street Station to Frankston Station, then take a taxi or Uber to Moonlit Sanctuary, which is about a 20-minute ride. Admission Fees Adults: Approximately $25 AUD Children (Ages 4-15): Approximately $15 AUD Family (2 Adults + 2 Children): Approximately $70 AUD Animal Food: Available for purchase at the entrance.