Moonlit Sanctuary wins Victorian Tourism Award

Friendly betting on night tour

Friendly betting on night tour in Moonlit Sanctuary

Pearcedale’s Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park has been named as the state’s best Eco Tourism business at the 2014 Victorian Tourism Awards, held last Monday night at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The most prestigious event on the Victorian tourism industry calendar, which was attended by 1000 people, celebrated the outstanding tourism businesses, attractions, events and individuals from all corners of the state.

Since opening in 2001, Moonlit Sanctuary has engaged and delighted visitors with an outstanding wildlife experience, while at the same time promoting the conservation of Australian animals through breeding, research and education.

The 10 hectares of bushland is home to over 300 animals from 80 different species, where visitors can meet endangered species, feed kangaroos and wallabies, cuddle up to koalas and enjoy encounters with mammals birds and reptiles such as Tasmanian devils, cockatoos, pythons and dingoes. The sanctuary also comes alive at night with its famous lantern-lit tours, with birds actively swooping overhead and endangered quolls, gliders, pademelons and bettongs foraging for food under the cover of darkness.

Director Michael Johnson said he is very proud that Moonlit Sanctuary was recognised with this award, which strengthens its position as a leader in the Eco Tourism sector.

“It is extremely gratifying to receive this award as recognition the immense respect for our animals and the environment we operate within. We have spent a lot of time and effort caring for endangered species and educating visitors about our amazing flora and fauna.”

“In addition, we have always been committed to implementing sustainable practices in the management of the sanctuary. Some of the measures we have taken include solar cell electricity generation, a worm farm for composting, black and grey water treatment, greenhouse-neutral pellet fire heating, planting over 10,000 native trees and plants, as well as an entry building that was constructed using environmentally-sensitive materials,” Michael said

Moonlit Sanctuary will join all the Victorian winners to take on the best tourism businesses across the nation at the Australian Tourism Awards ceremony in Adelaide next April.