Geelong is not well known for zoos. However, there is a great Wildlife Sanctuary just 20km out of town. So if you are wondering What to do in Geelong – consider a visit to Serendip Sanctuary in Lara.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

History of Serendip Sanctuary

Since European settlement in the 1880’s the land was turned into farming land. Prior to farming, the country was native grassland, wetlands, and grassy woodlands. But farming wiped out this natural habitat, and then the native wildlife disappeared.

In the 1950s the property became public land, and since then the habitat has been re-created, and the animal species slowly returned. The variety of animal species increased from about 40 to over 150 during this time, and now the sanctuary is an important conservation area.

These days the sanctuary is managed by Parks Victoria, you can check out the Parks Victoria website Here.

How To Get To Serendip Sanctuary

The Location of Serendip Sanctuary is 100 Windamere Road, Lara. This is about a 20km drive from central Geelong and there is free parking on site.

Public transport is limited. You can catch the train from Geelong Station to Lara Station, from there it is about a 50-minute walk to Serendip Sanctuary. The walk is easy with no hills. Alternatively, you could get a taxi or Uber from Lara train station, which will cost around $13 each way for Uber.

Facilities at Serendip Sanctuary

Parking is free and there is heaps of parking available at the Serendip Sanctuary Car Park

We love the free barbecues at Serendip Sanctuary. There are about 6 barbecues so it is unlikely that they will all be busy. There are rain shelters and loads of picnic tables, and heaps of space for the kids to run around.

There is a large toilet block at Serendip Sanctuary, and these have been spotless clean every time we visited. There is also a water fountain where you can fill your water bottles with drinking water.

Note that no rubbish bins are provided, you are expected to take your rubbish with you when you leave.

Part of the expansive picnic area

Entry to Serendip Sanctuary

We love the fact that as of 2022, Entry is FREE 🙂

Serendip Sanctuary is open every day from 8.00 am-4.00 pm, but is closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Downloads – Visitors Guide and Map

You can download a handy visitors guide and map on the Parks Victoria Website. Look for the links at the bottom.

Plenty of handy maps can be found on site

What To Do At Serendip Sanctuary

There are 4 main walks at Serendip Sanctuary – each has its own distinct habitat and theme.

  1. Wildlife Walk (1.5 km) – Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Emus. Also bird hides and bird enclosures.
  2. Wetland Walk (1.8 km) – Lake views, observation tower and bird hides.
  3. Farm Dam for Wildlife Walk (3 km) – Farm dam bird observation hide.
  4. Wader Walk (3 km) – Wader bird observation hide.

As you can see bird hides are a major theme at Serendip Sanctuary. A good pair of binoculars is well worth the trouble for bird-watching.

Don’t forget good walking shoes!

Where Did the Wildlife Go?

Unfortunately politics has come to Serendip Sanctuary, with the Labor Party promising to spend $11 million to upgrade the Sanctuary. It seems that the Victorian Government has been busy removing wildlife and removing enclosures in 2022. Locals don’t understand why this removal is happening, but we hope it is part of the promised upgrade.

Check Out The Wildlife

So when you’re deciding what to do in Geelong, why not check out some truly local wildlife and visit Serendip Sanctuary.

When you’re finished with that, why not check out our full list of Things to do in Geelong!

Tweet
Pin3
Share
3 Shares

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR