Moonlit Sanctuary: Tickets, Animals and Tips for Your Visit

TL;DR: Moonlit Sanctuary is a wildlife park in Pearcedale, about an hour from Melbourne on the way to Phillip Island. More than 70 Australian species live here, and you can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies. Day entry is $37 for adults and $19 for kids, and it’s open from 9:30am to 4pm. Allow around two hours, then continue to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade in the evening.

A wallaby nudges your hand for another pellet. Above you, a koala sleeps in the fork of a gum tree while a kookaburra calls from somewhere nearby. It’s an easygoing way to meet some of Australia’s most familiar animals without spending a whole day at a wildlife park.

Here’s what to know before you visit Moonlit Sanctuary, from tickets and opening hours to the animals you’ll see.

Is Moonlit Sanctuary on Phillip Island?

No, and this one catches a lot of people out!

Moonlit Sanctuary is in Pearcedale, at 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Road, on the Mornington Peninsula side of Western Port. It’s roughly an hour’s drive south-east of Melbourne’s CBD, and Phillip Island is still another 45 minutes or so down the road. Don’t worry if you’d mixed them up.

The upside? It sits right on the way to the island, which makes it a perfect first stop on a Phillip Island day trip. Parking’s free, too.

What Animals Will You See?

Plenty. The sanctuary looks after more than 70 Australian species, living in big, bushy enclosures that feel a lot more like the real thing than a cage. You’ll catch the smell of eucalyptus as you wander. Keep an eye out for:

• Koalas
• Kangaroos and wallabies, roaming free in the main paddock
• Wombats
• Dingoes
• Tasmanian devils
• Quolls
• Quokkas (yes, the famously smiley ones)
• Echidnas
• Owls, kookaburras and cockatoos
• Reptiles, including blue-tongue lizards

Moonlit does serious work behind the scenes, too. It breeds some of Australia’s rarest animals, and it’s part of the recovery program for the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, among the most threatened birds in the country. You can read more about that work in our post on conservation at Moonlit Sanctuary.

Can You Feed the Kangaroos?

You sure can, and for most visitors it’s the highlight of the day. Expect a lot of happy squealing from the kids (and a few grown-ups).

Grab a bag of Roo Food at admissions or the gift shop, wander into the main paddock and let the mob come to you. The kangaroos and wallabies here are very used to people, and they have excellent manners. Mostly.

Can You Hold a Koala at Moonlit Sanctuary?

Not quite. Victorian law doesn’t allow visitors to hold koalas, but Moonlit Sanctuary offers a koala encounter instead. You can give one a gentle pat and take a selfie together.

Each encounter lasts about a minute, with up to 40 guests per session, and costs extra on top of general admission.

Are There Keeper Talks?

Yes, and they’re worth catching. Ever wondered why wombats have cube-shaped poo? The keepers will explain.

Keeper talks run throughout the day, from about 10am to 3.15pm, and are included with entry. Topics include koalas, wombats, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, owls and more. If you can, stick around for the Conservation in Action show at 2.30pm.

How Much Are Moonlit Sanctuary Tickets?

Day entry is $37 for adults and $19 for kids. Here’s the full list.

Ticket	Day entry	Night tour
Adult (18+)	$37	$75
Child (4 to 17)	$19	$44
Child under 4	Free	$27
Concession	$34	$68
Family (2 adults, 2 children)	$99	$203

Roo Food and the koala encounter are extra.

Day Visit or Night Tour?

It depends what you’re after, because when the sun goes down, Moonlit Sanctuary comes alive. Plenty of Australian animals are nocturnal, so the lantern-lit night tour is when quolls, Tasmanian devils, owls and gliders are out and about.

The night tour runs for about 90 minutes. You’re handed a low-light lantern, so there’s no need to bring a torch, and it’s best to book ahead. Rug up, too.

So, which should you choose? Go for the day visit if you’d like to feed the kangaroos, catch the keeper talks and carry on to Phillip Island. Go for the night tour if you’ve already met the daytime crew, or you’ve got older kids who’d love a wombat appearing out of the dark!

Just remember, you can’t do the night tour and the Penguin Parade on the same evening. They both happen after sunset.

How Do You Pair It With the Penguin Parade?

Easily. Spend the afternoon at Moonlit, then carry on to Phillip Island. On the way, the long surf beach at Cape Woolamai and the boardwalks at The Nobbies, where fur seals sunbake on the rocks below, are both lovely stops. Then, as the sun sets, head to Summerland Beach to watch the little penguins tumble out of the waves and waddle home.

A little tip: it gets cold and windy at the Penguin Parade, even in summer, so pack a warm jacket.

Tips for Visiting

• Allow about two hours to walk around the park, feed the kangaroos and catch a talk or two.
• Come in the morning if you can. It’s generally quieter, and in summer the animals tend to be more active before the heat sets in.
• Last entry is at 3pm, and the café also closes at 3pm, so grab your cuppa early.
• Wear closed shoes. The paths are mostly gravel and grass, and some areas can get muddy after rain.
• Pack a hat and sunscreen in summer, and an extra layer in winter.
• Two wheelchairs are available free of charge.

Before You Go

Kangaroos in the arvo and penguins at sunset make for a pretty special day. If you’d rather not drive, our Phillip Island Deluxe Tour starts at Moonlit Sanctuary and finishes at the Penguin Parade, so you can relax and enjoy the wildlife.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are Moonlit Sanctuary tickets?

Day entry is $37 for adults, $19 for children aged 4 to 17 and $99 for a family of four. Kids under 4 get in free. Night tours are $75 for adults.

Can you hold a koala at Moonlit Sanctuary?

No. Victorian law doesn’t allow koala holding, but you can pat a koala and take a photo during a koala encounter, which is paid separately.

How long do you need at Moonlit Sanctuary?

About two hours for a day visit. The night tour runs for about 90 minutes.

What animals are at Moonlit Sanctuary?

More than 70 Australian species, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, quolls, quokkas, echidnas, owls and reptiles.

Is Moonlit Sanctuary on Phillip Island?

No. It’s in Pearcedale, about an hour from Melbourne and roughly 45 minutes’ drive before you reach Phillip Island.

What is the Moonlit Sanctuary night tour like?

It’s a guided walk of about 90 minutes after dark, with lanterns provided. It’s the best time to see nocturnal animals like quolls, owls and Tasmanian devils.