William Ricketts Sanctuary

What a magical place!!Was more than I expected, the path ways are clear but wheelchair access in some places maybe a bit difficult, but do able. There is parking available near entrance for handicapable parking (dislike the word handicap 😁)What William Rickett creates with his hands is amazing in detail and the expressions he manages to capture in his pieces had me in awe,some very large pieces I couldn't imagine how he placed them ,but all questions were answered as there is his workshop still on sites.No food or drink to be taken in as they don't provide bins.Lots of lovely cafes around for coffee and cake,or lunch.

Excellent place to visit. Great art work by William and very well preserved. A beautiful walk while seeing and praising his art work. They have set up to play movie / documentary about his life, his aspirations and his work.
His love for nature and his passion for art is very clear in his work. Its a great place to visit and feel refreshed. If you love art and nature then this is a place to go.

There is a cafe across the road and also few other places around to look.

This place has an amazing sight at every turn truly breathtaking in every way I spent a few hours here mesmerized by the clay sculptures and the brilliance of the artist! This is a must see if you have a free afternoon and are 8n the area the pictures don't do it justice you must come see for yourself!!

I have been there twice and just love this little cosy hidden gem of Melbourne. The sculptures around the garden are beautifully crafted with so much attention to detail. There is no ticket but you can make some donation. Worth a visit guys!!

Magical place full with works by Australian sculptor William Ricketts. Entry is free with a donation box situated near the entrance. The ceramics are primarily of an indigenous and spiritual nature. The fired ceramic pieces sit mostly outdoors moulded onto huge rocks surrounded by native bush. A 45 minutes walk around the undulating (and steep in places) pathways, it is easy to spend a few hours. Good audio and audio visual information is present. Hugely interesting for all ages.

Some 50km away from city centre. A scenic drive up to the mountain! My first visit was with my Dad & it impressed both of us once we stepped out the reception room. Many years later, my Dad still mentioned about his visit like it's JUST yesterday! Absolute serenity, loving stories behind the artworks, lots of beautiful ferns, mosses, small paths, birds singing..all well harmonized. It's cold very quick as we visited in late afternoon. FREE entry.

Have you seen sanctuaries which look exactly like jungles ?

Well, this is a very rarest sanctuary you’ll ever see. The handmade carvings and art displayed by Willian Ricketts has very deep meaning. I really loved the pieces and you’ll love them too.

One of the perfect weekend gateway. Yes, you must carry your family along and have a worthy weekend with your loved one’s.

I strongly recommend this place to all tourists/ visitors of victoria.As William Rickett mentioned it is not a sanctuary but it is a Forrest of Love.I have found this place as a magical, beautiful and amazing part of Mount Dandenong.High level of positive energy and spirituality is very remarkable in this place.Not sure if William’s arts is reflecting a real story about the first Australians, but his talent/imagination about nature and life is amazing.
You will certainly recognise that your face is so happy and your brain is so relax and calm by the end of this tour!
I will certainly visit this place again.

What a cool place! It's great when something like this is open to the public, still in great condition and free! I really enjoyed walking around and looking at the sculptures which are starting to blend into the forest, I think it will just look more amazing over time. The sculptures are over a 500m walk so it's not hard to see them all, there are some steps and it's quite hilly though. Also no food and drink is allowed (to stop littering), there is a Cafe near the entrance and a gift shop too.

Really cool park to check out which features the work of William Ricketts, an Australian sculptor. The sanctuary is filled with trees and ferns so it's a very nice shaded walk. The walk itself is not long, will definitely take less than an hour. Free admission and free parking. No food or drinks allowed in the park.

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.

Hidden away in a dense inlet along the winding Mt Dandenong Tourist Road is the internationally renowned William Ricketts Sanctuary. The sanctuary is not only one the Dandenong’s more iconic experiences, but one of the most inspiring and tranquil places on the mountain.

A quiet gentleman who had spent much time living with aboriginal communities in central Australia, William Ricketts created the sanctuary as a place for quiet reflection and replenishing the spirit. He believed that all Australians should adopt Aboriginal philosophies, respecting the spirituality of the mother earth and all things in the natural world. Some of his works throughout the grounds also depict his feelings on the takeover and devastation of white man into the natural environment.

Within the sanctuary grounds, there are over 90 different sculptures depicting the aboriginal people engaging with the earth in a pure forest setting. Carved into rocks and tree trunks that dot the paths that flow throughout the property, the themes in his artwork reflect his philosophies of connections with human, nature and the earth.

What a beautiful natural place and the technique and imagery that was amazing to observe and specially how he saw himself in the story and his legacy.
Recommend going with someone to discuss what you see.
But the most astounding for me waa the massive trees and the diversity preservered💕

Fascinating and deeply cultural and emotional space. The sculptures are amazing, the environment is beautiful and the sanctuary is imbued with an interesting Christian/Aboriginal Dreaming spirituality.

Wonderfully atmospheric place. The sanctuary features the life work of sculpter William Ricketts who lived here in the forest in the first half of the 20th century. The walk around the sculptures is slightly graded and although there are a few steps, these can be avoided. The admission is free and there is a small gift shop. An enjoyable couple of hours in the Dandenongs

An amazing place to visit. You can feel the sense of the art and the nature the communication between the earth, the nature and the human kind. William Ricketts was able to explain Australia to all the world. I think that Australia is unique in the world.l, even the native and we have to respect both. We must be grateful for this amazing place

What an amazing place and even greater story that is literally apart of the Dandenong Ranges, its definitely worth a stop by and walk through. Make it part of the next day trip away. **Parking is a little bit hidden away, so keep an eye when you’re driving past**

Such an amazing place to visit... Well laid out to wander round... The art work /sculptures are exceptional... There is a wonderful feel as you walk round... A really calming and relaxing atmosphere throughout. Lots of information about William Ricketts and his life work... Free to explore... Wonderful ferns and eucalyptus trees.

Amazingly beautiful outdoors art gallery. Interesting to see an artist that captures unique sculptures. The woman at the desk was very friendly and helpful. Great start to our day!

One of the amazing parks near Melbourne located at Dandenong Mountain. Just love it. Highly recommended for everyone to visit and learn about the history of that place.