After moving to Melbourne last year, I reconnected with Ashley. She and Rowan travel to Melbourne often for the city and footy. Ashley is expecting their second child in September, so they travelled to Melbourne for a long weekend at the end of May. We met for dinner on Thursday. I really enjoyed meeting her family and catching up on the last decade.
On Friday, I joined them for a trip to Healsville Sanctuary. It's an hour's drive northeast of town. However, public transit was the better option with two-year old Charlie. This took considerably longer, but it was a scenic ride on a beautiful fall day, and a welcomed escape from the city.
The sanctuary is a beautiful refuge for native animals. Much of the natural environment was maintained in the design.
Highlights for me included a visit to the animal hospital and the Spirits of the Sky presentation. One after another, native birds fly overhead as the zookeepers share a bit about them. The birds are trained to consent to participating, and are never forced to come to work.
- Eclectus Parrot
- Pink Cockatoo
- Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
- Sulfur-crested Cockatoo
- Long-billed Corella
- Barking Owl
- Black-breasted Buzzard
- Wedge-tailed Eagle
Healsville Sanctuary is a great place to see the iconic Aussie animals. I am keen to come back again, and spend more time in small town Healsville.
