William Ricketts Sanctuary
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William Ricketts Sanctuary
William Ricketts Sanctuary
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
372 reviews
Excellent
257
Very good
94
Average
19
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jenni Dee
Chania, Greece54 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
A very pleasant afternoon spent wandering around. You don’t need long but it’s worth stopping for a bit to stretch your legs and appreciate Ricketts’ work. Make sure you read the statements dotted around.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tw2310
Doncaster, UK59 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
Whenever I visit Melbourne I always make time to take a day out and visit this very special place. I was amazed to find out on my most recent visit that it's now free to enter, so I just left money in the donations box instead.
It's an extraordinary place to wander around and discover, and is always so relaxing and peaceful. The setting is beautiful and the sculptures are astonishingly lifelike and beautifully detailed. The old hut where you watch the film about William and the sanctuary had been renovated since I last went and was a big improvement. I've seen the film a few times now but it's always worth a watch as a reminder of the incredible character William Ricketts was.
To get there by public transport needs a bit of pre-planning, but is by no means difficult, and is certainly well worth it. I'm always sad when it comes to leaving this place, but at the same time happy that I've been able to spend even just a short time there. It's a hidden little gem, and long may it continue.
It's an extraordinary place to wander around and discover, and is always so relaxing and peaceful. The setting is beautiful and the sculptures are astonishingly lifelike and beautifully detailed. The old hut where you watch the film about William and the sanctuary had been renovated since I last went and was a big improvement. I've seen the film a few times now but it's always worth a watch as a reminder of the incredible character William Ricketts was.
To get there by public transport needs a bit of pre-planning, but is by no means difficult, and is certainly well worth it. I'm always sad when it comes to leaving this place, but at the same time happy that I've been able to spend even just a short time there. It's a hidden little gem, and long may it continue.
Written September 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrisandjune
Bicknacre, UK70 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
After seeing this on Billy Connolly's show a few years ago, we were determined to visit if we ever got the opportunity. We were not disappointed. It's a bit out of the way and not overly overpowering. However, when you enter (by the way, it's FREE),you enter a world of peace, tranquility and contemplation. I am sure some of the sculptures are not fully appreciated by a lot of people as they are somewhat obscure and could be seen as offensive by some as they would appear to be of a discrete sexual nature. However, if you do not notice, you will not be offended. It is a wondrous ethereal place to visit and I am very glad I took the opportunity as it is unlikely I will ever repeat our 10 week antipodian odyssey.
Fascinating. If you are in Melbourne, try and visit.
Fascinating. If you are in Melbourne, try and visit.
Written October 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Narelle K
89 contributions
I loved the atmosphere of the Sanctuary. My two teenagers were bored, but the three little kids enjoyed exploring the alcoves to discover sculptures. The hills and stairs are steep so it may be tough on the elderly or unfit. It was nice to see that the clay William used for his sculptures came from Bendigo, which is where we live. The teenagers thought this was a boring fact too. Tip: don't take teenagers anywhere they can't or shouldn't be using their iPhones. Hopefully a tiny bit of culture made its way into their psyche, regardless.
Written April 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margie A
Melbourne, Australia51 contributions
May 2011 • Couples
The sanctuary is located in the Dandenong Ranges about an hour east of Melbourne. It is nestled in rain forest with tall gums and the call of wild birds all around. There is a very good cafe which is across the road, and adjacent to the large sanctuary car park. We had Devonshire tea before proceeding to the sanctuary, and the service and friendliness of the owners there was excellent. You can sit at the window and see Kookaburras and Crimson Rosella's feed and play. They even have some of William Rickett's works there.
The sanctuary itself is a treasure of art that William Rickett's created of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. As you walk down paths and into small grotto's the art is all around you. Dreamtime faces of children, old men and mother nature. There is a spiritual feel about the whole site, which was once the artist's studio and home. There is a hut that shows a short video about the artist's life, and a gallery with some impressive works. You can even see the giant kiln he used to fuse the clay works into rocks, and so make his people look like they were naturally a part of the bushland.
I recommend this place to every visitor to Melbourne. Entrance to the sanctuary is free.
The sanctuary itself is a treasure of art that William Rickett's created of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. As you walk down paths and into small grotto's the art is all around you. Dreamtime faces of children, old men and mother nature. There is a spiritual feel about the whole site, which was once the artist's studio and home. There is a hut that shows a short video about the artist's life, and a gallery with some impressive works. You can even see the giant kiln he used to fuse the clay works into rocks, and so make his people look like they were naturally a part of the bushland.
I recommend this place to every visitor to Melbourne. Entrance to the sanctuary is free.
Written August 7, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pote1950
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Apr 2011
We often have international guests staying with us and the first place I take them to is William Rickett's sanctuary as it captures the real essence of Australia. I never tire of the tranquility and sense of calm in this magical place. I am surprised it is not on the "tourist" must see list of things to do, but also pleased as I would hate it to become crowded and damaged in any way. What a caring, feeling man William was and his affinity with the aboriginal people was truly amazing.
To finish off with a devonshire tea at the cafe opposite and watch the kookaburras being fed is the icing on the cake!!
To finish off with a devonshire tea at the cafe opposite and watch the kookaburras being fed is the icing on the cake!!
Written April 18, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MeraNu
Stockholm4 contributions
I visited the sanctuary just 5 years after William Rickett's death and was overwhelmed by a sense of awe and spiritualism that I'd never experienced anywhere. I am not religious nor easily "taken in" by mob-mentality or "isms", but the soul of William Ricketts is clearly able to speak through this place on behalf of the aboriginal people of Australia, and other individuals who seek to show the utmost respect and understanding for the world in which we live. It has been more than 10 years since I last visited Australia, and the William Ricketts Sanctuary remains one of the most inspirational and beautiful places I've seen in my extensive travel around the world. I hope that visitors and the Australian government will seek to protect this place for many years to come and to understand William Ricketts as a great artist and sculptor as well.
Written April 6, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa
Melbourne, Australia195 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
The drive alone up the this sanctuary is worth visiting alone.
Beautiful scenery outside of Melbourne central.
The sanctuary itself is beautiful. Very easy to walk around on the walking tracks with stunning artwork to stop and view along the way and some beautiful history to learn.
Allow at least an hour here and then make sure you continue to drive around and explore the rest of the Dandenong ranges.
Beautiful scenery outside of Melbourne central.
The sanctuary itself is beautiful. Very easy to walk around on the walking tracks with stunning artwork to stop and view along the way and some beautiful history to learn.
Allow at least an hour here and then make sure you continue to drive around and explore the rest of the Dandenong ranges.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndCo77
Melbourne, Australia156 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Visited this beautiful garden yesterday...what a spiritual experience it was. You can wander around forever here and just breathe in the fresh, clean air in this serene location. Take time to really SEE these beautiful works of art..they are indeed magical. Don't worry about taking selfies...just immerse yourself in the moment and experience the beauty and actually take time to read the inscriptions as well. Free entry but you can give a donation...a gold coin or two I'm sure would be appreciated.
Written January 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gwen M
Melbourne, Australia22 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Great place to go on a Sunday afternoon to learn about art.
Very well maintained place and it has been preserved well
Very well maintained place and it has been preserved well
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, anyone know if this still closed? Just wanted to double check, in case that the site hasn’t been updated. Thanks
Written January 3, 2023
A few hours at least to have a good explore....
Written January 8, 2019
Can you bring a dog on a lead
Written July 18, 2017
Sorry for late reply, you’ve probably already been.
I don’t remember seeing any signs saying no dogs but I doubt you would be able to take dogs in there.
Written June 6, 2018
Hi I will be staying in Melbourne for December this year. I would love to visit the sanctuary whilst there, but will not have my own transport. Is sit possible to visit using Public Transport?
Kind regards
Ruth Courtney
Written June 21, 2015
I would think you must rent a car and meander around the area of the sanctuary as the small towns / villages are amazing. I doubt if public transit goes there but I am not from the area. The sanctuary was mind boggling but the towns were super with wonderful little shops and diners. It is not far from the outskirts of Melbourne but a good hike from the center of the city. Well worth the journey!
Written May 8, 2017
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