Updated in October 2026, this Moonlit Sanctuary guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Moonlit Sanctuary is a wildlife conservation park at Pearcedale on the Mornington Peninsula, about one hour from Melbourne. You can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies by day and join lantern-lit night tours after dark. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel. As of October 2026, adult admission costs $37 and night tours run every evening. Victorian law does not allow koalas to be held, so you can pat and cuddle them instead.
Quick facts for Moonlit Sanctuary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale, Victoria 3912 |
| Daytime hours | Daily 9:30 to 16:00. Last entry 15:00. Closed Christmas Day |
| Night tours | Every evening, starting between 19:00 and 20:30 |
| Adult admission (18+) | $37 |
| Child (4 to 17) | $19 |
| Child under 4 | Free |
| Concession | $34 |
| Family pass (2 adults and 2 children) | $99 |
| Parking | Free on site |
| Typical visit | About 2 hours |
Why book Moonlit Sanctuary tickets?
- 🦘 Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies: Roo Food is sold at admissions, and the animals roam in designated areas.
- 🐨 Pat a koala: A short koala encounter lets you pat and cuddle up to one for a selfie.
- 🏮 Lantern-lit night tours: A guide leads you through the sanctuary after dark to see nocturnal animals.
- 🎤 Keeper talks included: Daily talks and the Conservation in Action Show are included in admission.
- 🅿️ Free parking: The car park is free, with accessible spaces and coach parking.
Ticket prices for Moonlit Sanctuary – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars. Children under 4 are free for daytime admission.
| Ticket | Daytime admission | Night tour |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | $37 | $75 |
| Child (4 to 17) | $19 | $44 |
| Child under 4 | Free | $27 |
| Concession (seniors, students and Health Care Card holders) | $34 | $68 |
| Pensioner (Australian Pension Card holders) | $30 | $59 |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | $99 | $203 |
| Additional child on a family pass | $13 | $35 |
Friends of Moonlit annual membership gives free admission for 12 months.
Bookings are essential in school and public holidays. At other times, booking admission is preferred. Night tours and animal encounters need advance booking, because places are limited. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel.
5 top experiences to book on the Mornington Peninsula
- 🐬 See seals, dolphins and sea birds on a 90 minute wildlife cruise from Sorrento.
- 🐨 At the Moonlit Sanctuary, get close to koalas, kangaroos and other cute creatures.
- 🍷 Taste the best local produce and wines at a vineyard with a discovery wine-tasting lunch.
- 🚡 Ride the Arthurs Seat Eagle cable car and take in the stellar views over the coast.
- 🤿 Snorkel with seals and dolphins on a boat trip to Chinamans Hat.
Opening hours for Moonlit Sanctuary
Moonlit Sanctuary opens every day from 9:30 to 16:00, except Christmas Day. Last entry is at 15:00. Weekday and weekend hours are the same.
| Item | Hours |
|---|---|
| Daytime admission | Daily 9:30 to 16:00. Last entry 15:00 |
| Café | Daily 9:30 to 15:00 |
| Night tours | Every evening, starting between 19:00 and 20:30 depending on the time of year |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
Night tours take 1.5 to 2 hours. The start time appears when you choose your date online. You can reschedule a night tour until 15:00 on the day.
How to get to Moonlit Sanctuary
Moonlit Sanctuary is at 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Road in Pearcedale. By car, the drive from Melbourne takes about an hour along the M1. The sanctuary is a good stop on the way to Phillip Island. Most visitors drive, and free parking is available on site.
Parking at Moonlit Sanctuary
Parking is free on site, with accessible spaces and coach parking.
How long to spend at Moonlit Sanctuary
Allow about two hours to walk around the park, enjoy a show and join keeper talks. Allow two to four hours if you book several encounters or have lunch. Arrive 20 minutes before your first encounter.
Accessibility at Moonlit Sanctuary
The sanctuary suits wheelchairs and prams, with ramps and wide doors throughout. The ground is flat to undulating, with compressed gravel paths linking all exhibit areas. Some exhibit areas have wood chip paths. Seating is spread around the park.
Two wheelchairs are available free on loan, and you can book one online. Prams are not available for hire. Accessible toilets and baby change facilities are in the café and gift shop building. Certified assistance animals are welcome, but not on the Wallaby Walk or at close-up encounters. Pets are not allowed.
What to see at Moonlit Sanctuary
The kangaroos and wallabies. Kangaroos and wallabies roam in designated areas, and you can feed them. Buy a container of Roo Food at admissions or the gift shop.
The koalas. The koala encounter is a short one-minute experience for up to 40 guests per session. You can pat and cuddle up to a koala for a selfie.
Wombats, dingoes and quokkas. Wombats, dingoes and quokkas live in natural-style habitats. Encounters with several of these animals can be booked.
Quolls, Tasmanian devils and nocturnal species. Quolls and Tasmanian devils live alongside birds, reptiles and other native animals. Moonlit Sanctuary began with nocturnal species and still runs breeding programs for many of them.
The keeper talks and Conservation in Action Show. Daily talks explain animal behaviour, conservation and care. The live Conservation in Action Show features native species and their behaviours.
The night tour. A guide leads you through the sanctuary after dark with a lantern. You may see wombats, bettongs, gliders, owls and quolls.
The café and picnic area. The café is open daily until 15:00. You can also bring a picnic and use the tables.
Practical visitor tips for Moonlit Sanctuary
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | Admission is preferred by booking, and encounters sell out. Book tickets in advance to secure your session. |
| Arrive 20 minutes before encounters | You need time to check in and reach the meeting place. |
| Wear enclosed shoes | The sanctuary is an outdoor bushland environment. Comfortable clothing suits the weather. |
| Buy Roo Food at admissions | You can only feed animals with food bought at the sanctuary. |
| Switch off your flash on the night tour | Photography is allowed, but flash can disturb the animals. |
Frequently asked questions about Moonlit Sanctuary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What time does Moonlit Sanctuary open? | Daily from 9:30 to 16:00, with last entry at 15:00. It is closed on Christmas Day. |
| Can I hold a koala? | No. Victorian law does not allow koalas to be held, but you can pat and cuddle up to one. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Bookings are essential in school and public holidays. Advance booking is recommended at other times, and it is essential for night tours. |
| Is the night tour included in admission? | No. Night tours are a separate ticket because places are limited. |
| Is Moonlit Sanctuary wheelchair accessible? | Yes. Ramps and gravel paths connect the exhibits, and free wheelchair loans are available. |
Things to do near Moonlit Sanctuary
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne: A botanic garden of Australian native plants at Cranbourne, north of Pearcedale.
Tyabb Packing House Antiques: A large antiques and collectables centre in Tyabb on the Mornington Peninsula.
Mornington: A seaside town with a harbour and shops on the Mornington Peninsula.
Frankston: A bayside city at the northern end of the Mornington Peninsula.
Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve: A bushland reserve with walking tracks in Langwarrin.
Alternatives to Moonlit Sanctuary
Healesville Sanctuary: A wildlife sanctuary in the Yarra Valley at Healesville.
Werribee Open Range Zoo: A zoo with savannah animals at Werribee, south-west of Melbourne.
Melbourne Zoo: A zoo in Parkville, close to the centre of Melbourne.
Koala Conservation Centre: A koala reserve with boardwalks on Phillip Island.
Penguin Parade: A viewing area for little penguins coming ashore at Summerland Beach on Phillip Island.
More Victoria travel
Other Victoria travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Key indormation about Agnes Falls in Gippsland – Victoria’s tallest single drop waterfall.
- Why it’s worth stopping at Eagles Neck near Inverloch in Gippsland.
- Lorne attraction guides: Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne Beach and Sheoak Falls.
- Guides to Melbourne’s best history museums: The Melbourne Museum, Old Melbourne Gaol and Melbourne’s Immigration Museum
- Ashcombe Maze visitor guide: What to expect at this maze and lavender gardens on the Mornington Peninsula.
