Explore
Serendip Wetlands Education Facility
Serendip Sanctuary is a wildlife oasis close to Melbourne where you can see kangaroos, wallabies, emus and a huge variety of birdlife.
Serendip Sanctuary is a great place to enjoy a family day trip near Geelong. The sanctuary showcases the open grassy woodlands and wetlands of the volcanic Western Plains, making it an ideal spot to see birdlife and learn about wetlands ecology.
Visit the bird hides to see some of the 150 bird species that breed at, or visit, Serendip Sanctuary.
Relax and enjoy a picnic or barbecue at the picnic area near the main car park. Facilities include free electric barbecues, a picnic shelter with tables and seats, drinking water, and toilets with access for people with limited mobility.
Serendip Sanctuary: Securing a future for wildlife
Listen to Ranger Brandon as he explains why Serendip Sanctuary plays such an important role in safeguarding threatened grassland species.
Things to do
Walks at Serendip Sanctuary
Education excursions
Junior Ranger program
Bird watching
Picnics
Flora at Serendip Sanctuary
Serendip is a part of the Western Volcanic Plains and was home to grassland, wetland and grassy-woodland communities. In the 1880s the European settlers arrived in the area and built a farm on the property. All the grasslands disappeared, and wildlife left the area. The property became public land in the 1950s. Since then Serendip has re-created a range of habitats etc.
Since 1959 Serendip has re-created a range of habitats which has seen the number of animal species increase from 40 (with few breeding) to over 150 today (with over 60 breeding). The sanctuary has also demonstrated the compatibility of farming and wildlife.
The birds at Serendip are there because the wetlands and grassy woodlands provide habitat for them. These wetlands are part of a larger number of wetlands in the region. As many wetlands have been modified or drained and no longer provide habitat, these remaining wetlands are important conservation areas.
Serendip has many different wetland types, each with its own characteristics. The shallow freshwater wetland is ephemeral and dries out every two to three years unless it receives a flow of water from the You Yangs water catchment. The marshland at Serendip has channels of varying depths designed to cater for a range of waterbird species. Trees such as River Red Gums and wattles around Lake Serendip attract different species of birds. Finally, the North Arm of Lake Serendip is an example of a permanent open water wetland.
Native grass and herb species used for revegetating Serendip include various acacias, eucalypts, casuarina, Tussock grass (Poa labillardieri), Common Wallaby Grass (Danthonia caespitosa), Windmill Grass (Chloris truncata), and Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum).
Wildlife at Serendip Sanctuary
More than 150 bird species common to the Western Plains of Victoria have been recorded at Serendip Sanctuary.
Look for Cape Barren Geese and Magpie Geese in the shallow, freshwater wetland, and many ducks, White-faced Heron, Nankeen Night Heron, Black Swans and grebes in and around the marshland.
Honeyeaters and wattlebirds feed on nectar and insects in the trees around Lake Serendip and Whistling and Black Kites soar up above looking for small prey on the ground.
The Billabong provides habitat for various ducks, swamphens and moorhens and attracts other food for the birds such as frogs, water rats and snakes. The North Arm permanent wetland is more reliable for fish populations, providing food for fishing birds like pelicans and cormorants. Keep watch for Chestnut Teal, Yellow-billed Spoonbills and flocks of White Ibis flying about preparing to roost in the trees around the permanent wetland each night.
Serendip also provides habitat for a variety of mammal species including Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies.
Tours and adventure experiences in parks
One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.
There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.
Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.
Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.
How to get there
Serendip Wetlands Education Facility
Serendip Sanctuary is located at 100 Windermere Road, Lara. It is at the base of the You Yangs, 60km from Melbourne and 22km north of Geelong. It is signposted from the Princes Highway.
Serendip Sanctuary is open every day from 8.00am-4.00pm, but is closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
When you're there
Download the Serendip Sanctuary visitor guide for more information about the park and a map.
Dogs and other pets are not permitted at Serendip Sanctuary.
Rubbish bins are not provided. Please take your rubbish with you.
Education Excursions
This park offers curriculum-aligned ranger-guided excursions for school students. Download the Education Program to find out more and and email serendipeducationcentre@parks.vic.gov.au to make a booking.
When to go
Need to know
Serendip Wetlands Education Facility
Accessibility
Accessibility advocate Ryan Smith details the accessible wildlife experiences on offer at Serendip Sanctuary.
Visitor Centre
All features and areas within the Visitor Centre are accessible.
Access routes around the centre are all sealed and there are no stairs or ramps to restricting access.
Picnic area
The public picnic area at Serendip Sanctuary has a fully accessible toilet.
The site is level, allowing independent access despite the lack of paths to the tables.
Serendip’s paths are compacted gravel and are suitable for both non-motorised and electric wheelchairs.
There are electric barbecues and accessible picnic tables.
There is no designated accessible parking at present.
Autism-friendly visits
Parks Victoria is working to increase the accessibility of its parks for people on the autism spectrum. The social script resources for children on the autism spectrum have been developed with the professional assistance of AMAZE. Learn more and download the social script resources for Serendip Sanctuary.
How we keep it special
The future of Serendip Sanctuary – You Yangs Master Plan 2022
Located on Wadawurrung Country, Serendip Sanctuary is part of the You Yangs precinct. A special place for many including significant natural and cultural values. People have been visiting and living in this area for over 30,000 years. Showcasing open grassy woodlands and wetlands of the volcanic Western Plains, this area is an ideal spot to view birdlife and enjoy its significant wetland ecosystems. The sanctuary also provides visitors the opportunity for close encounters with Australian native wildlife including emus, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, echidnas and reptiles.
What is the You Yangs Precinct Master Plan?
As visitor numbers continue to increase annually, the importance of communities connecting with nature is going to be more important than ever. In partnership with Regional Development Victoria, a master plan was developed for the You Yangs precinct, that aims to protect and enhance the natural and cultural values, while also identifying new facilities, infrastructure and unique experiences that can be offered to establish the area as a leading visitor destination.
The future of Serendip Sanctuary has been developed in consultation with the community as part of the master planning process from 2019-21. The plan has been developed in consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, and aligns with its Paleert Tjaara Dja Let’s make Country good together 2020-2030 – Wadawurrung Country Plan.
All initiatives in the plan still require detailed assessment, planning and funding.
What does this mean for Serendip?
Serendip Sanctuary will continue to be a popular visitor and education destination. Parks Victoria will explore the role Serendip can play supporting threatened species management and improving the offer to visitors who wish to enjoy the picnic facilities, walking tracks and viewing wild native animals in their natural habitat.
What will happen to the animals?
To gain better conservation outcomes for Victoria, Parks Victoria will focus on threatened species management with other organisations that lead species recovery programs. Partnerships in this area include Zoos Victoria, Mt Rothwell – Biodiversity Interpretation Centre and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. The common captive animals that are currently housed at Serendip, will be rehomed to appropriate organisations that can provide onsite facilities that are compliant for the health and care of the animals. Wild native wildlife in Serendip will continue to roam in their natural environment. The sanctuary is naturally home to a large variety of wildlife, including over 200 species of birds, and a variety of mammals and reptiles.
What will happen to the education program?
Parks Victoria’s Education Rangers will continue to provide and invest in education programs and Junior Ranger experiences for local schools, community groups and park visitors.
Further information
For further information about the You Yangs Precinct Master Plan, visit Engage Victoria.
