Wildlife Tourism Australia Conference 2026 – Wildlife Tourism Australia

“Wildlife Tourism Fighting Extinction”

Healesville Sanctuary and Moonlit Sanctuary 27-30 October 2026

Wildlife tourism of the wrong sort can harm wildlife and their habitats. Responsible, ecologically-sustainable wildlife tourism which values biodiversity conservation, animal welfare and high-quality nature interpretation (both in wild and captive situations) however has great potential to assist wildlife conservation

Helmeted honeyeater, an endangered Victorian subspecies being bred at Healesville Sanctuary. Photo” Zoos Victoria

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Keynote speakers

Accommodation options

How to reach the venue

Help make this a really special and productive event: visit our Sponsorship prospectus

Many thanks to Zoos Victoria for their support.

“In 2009, Zoos Victoria witnessed the last call of the Christmas Island Pipistrelle Bat – a moment that profoundly shaped the organisation, sparking a transformation to become more than an attraction and embark on a transformation to become a world‑leading zoo‑based conservation organisation dedicated to fighting extinction. Today, saving wildlife is not just what we do; it’s who we are. Across Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo, Kyabram Fauna Park, and Werribee Open Range Zoo, we connect 3 million visitors and 390,000 paid members each year to wildlife. By creating immersive and profound experiences that strengthen human–wildlife connections, we inspire action and help shape a sustainable, wildlife‑rich future”

The two keynotes from Zoos Victoria usually charge for their presentations, but are instead doing so for free this time.

Many thanks also to the following:

People for Wildlife, for their generous sponsorship (orange-bellied parrot level)

People For Wildlife (PFW) is an agile conservation charity protecting and restoring biodiverse habitats globally by creating nature-based economic opportunities for the communities that live within them. Our approach centres on circular restoration that combines the principles of circular economy (sustainable development and social inclusion) with landscape restoration (recovering ecological integrity and enhancing human well-being). By empowering local communities to build sustainable nature-based livelihoods, they reap tangible economic benefits from the land and water on which they live. This creates a powerful feedback loop: communities invested in their landscapes drive stronger, lasting conservation outcomes.

Thanks also to Moonlit Sanctuary for their discounted conference dinner and free tour, and allowing us to join in their 25th anniversary celebrations,

Wild Coast Cruises for their half-price tour offer to delegates before or after our conference (scroll down for details).

Phillip Island Nature Parks for their raffle prize of a free tour

At the conference:

Endangered orange-bellied parrots, which are being successfully bred at Moonlit Sanctuary and their progeny released into the wild.

Explore two long-established wildlife sanctuaries breeding endangered species and offering great public education

Tell us about your own efforts to assist biodiversity conservation through your zoo, wildlife park, ecolodge or tour company, or about your research on the topic

Learn what those in the tourism industry are doing to really help the fight against species extinctions (not just greenwashing) and discuss the most effective ways to do so in the future

.Stay in a beautiful mountainous and forested part of Australia with plenty of birdlife throughout the conference.

Why should wildlife tourism operations help fight extinction?

There are economic, ecological and social responsibility reasons.

Leadbeater’d possum.A tiny endangered marsupial’s being bred at Healesville. Photo: Zoos Victoria

Wildlife and wild places are diminishing as human populations grow, and increasing umbers of tourists want to travel to see wildlife. Wildlife tourism (whether safaris, ecolodges, national parks, zoos, sanctuaries etc.) can’t happen without wildlife, so we have both a moral responsibility to protect the animals that form the cases of our operations, and the habitats they depend on..
Wildlife and wildlife habitat and in peril throughout the world
Some of these species and habitats (rhinos, gorillas, rainforests, coral reefs …) are well known tourist drawcards
Others are less well-known but could become famous and draw tourists (numbats, greater gliders, estuaries …)
Tourism always has some impact while making money from wildlife and wild places, and with that comes a responsibility to always minimise damage and where possible contribute to protection and restoration
Many travellers are now far more sophisticated and knowledgeable about conservation issues compared to what was true a few decades ago, and are more likely to choose operations that support and assist conservation

Tasmanian devil at Healesville Sanctuary Photo: Zoos Victoria

Wildlife tourism can assist biodiversity conservation by:

Minimising their own impacts on species and habitats
Preserving and restoring habitat
Captive breeding and release
Supporting anti-poaching
Supporting conservation-related research
Educating travellers and locals (including governments)
Donating to conservation projects
Assisting conservation-related research (directly or indirectly)
Networking amongst practitioners (and between practitioners and researchers) to discuss effective methods for communication of conservation problems and actions to wildlife tourists

Our main venue: Healesville Sanctuary

Platypus at Healesville Sanctuary. Photo: Zoos Victoria

Opened in 1934, Healesville Sanctuary is set in native Australian bushland amidst beautiful mountain scenery just a one hour journey from Melbourne.

The first successful captive breeding of platypus was accomplished there in 1943 under supervision of David Fleay. This year (2025) a new Australian Platypus Conservation Centre has been completed, to enhance the rehabilitation and release of injured or sick platypuses.

Healesville Sanctuary is connected to multiple conservation programs and recovery groups, and is home to 13 of Zoos Victoria’s 27 local threatened species, Including the Alpine She-oak Skink, Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Giant Burrowing Frog, Guthega Skink, Helmeted Honeyeater, Leadbeater’s Possum, Mountain Pygmy-possum, Northern and Southern Corroboree Frog, Orange-bellied Parrot, Regent Honeyeater, Spotted Tree Frog and Swift Parrot.

Our lunches and morning/afternoon teas at Healesville Sanctuary:

Zoos Victoria Sustainability Commitment As an organisation, Zoos Victoria is committed to working with and procuring from regional producers who meet our standards of sustainability and welfare, for both animals and people with every purchase supporting conservation efforts.

Coffee for Wildlife is sourced from three special projects around the world that prioritise quality and forest health. By growing coffee plants beneath the shade of established native trees, not only do our partners produce higher quality beans, but they also maintain and can even help to protect forest habitat for wildlife. This method is known as ‘shade-grown’ coffee.
Wine for the conference will be locally sourced and ethically and sustainably grown.

For further details on Healesville Sanctuary:

Our host for the mid-conference tour and dinner: Moonlit Sanctuary

Moonlit Sanctuary, a longterm member of WTA, also breeds threatened species for release into the wild (including southern bettong (aka eastern bettong), eastern quoll, Julia Creek dunnart, fluffy glider (yellow-bellied glider), squirrel glider, helmeted honeyeater and the critically endangered orange-bellied parrots, and are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2026.

Discover the magic of Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, where conservation and unforgettable wildlife encounters come together. For 25 years, Moonlit Sanctuary has been dedicated to protecting Australia’s rare and endangered species, playing a vital role in recovery programs for the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, pookilas, and other threatened species. As a longstanding member of Wildlife Tourism Australia (WTA), we are proud to connect visitors with nature while supporting meaningful conservation outcomes.

Your experience begins with a daytime visit, exploring bushland and coming face-to-face with kangaroos, wallabies, and over 60 species of Australian wildlife. Learn how our sanctuary cares for native animals and discover the stories behind our most important breeding and conservation projects.

After a delicious dinner overlooking the wetlands, the adventure continues as the sun sets. Join our lantern-lit night tour and step into a world alive with nocturnal creatures. Watch species such as Tassie devils, bettongs, and echidnas emerge from the shadows, and hear the unique calls of owls and frogmouths beneath the stars.

Moe information about Moonlit Sanctuary:

Pre and post conference tours for delegates.

Special 50% discount on Wildlife Coast Cruises: seals, penguins, whales …

Wildlife Coast Cruises, an WTA member, operates advanced eco-certified boat tours showcasing the spectacular marine landscapes of Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory. Their cruises offer unforgettable encounters with seals, dolphins and migrating whales, while exploring some of Victoria’s most dramatic and beautiful coastlines.

Guests can choose from whale watching adventures, visits to Australia’s largest breeding fur seal colony, sunset cruises or journeys into Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park. Onboard 20-metre catamarans, you’ll enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, a licensed bar, and passionate staff sharing insights into the wildlife, habitats and conservation of the region.

Experience our Phillp Island Seal Cruise, daily from the Cowes Jetty on Phillip Island, and take 50% off for all conference attendees, contact Wildlife Coast Cruises to book.

https://wildlifecoastcruises.com.au/

More details later