William Ricketts Sanctuary - Temporary Closure William Ricketts Sanctuary - Temporary Closure

In June 2021, a severe cyclogenesis storm event impacted the Dandenong Ranges area, resulting in fallen trees and branches, blocked access to roads and tracks and damage to numerous assets.

William Ricketts Sanctuary was extensively damaged, with many sculptures, buildings, pathways and handrails destroyed by numerous large fallen trees. Our highest priority is public and staff safety, and this site remains too dangerous to enter.

Immediately after the storms, Parks Victoria staff worked alongside emergency services to reopen roads and tracks to provide safe access for the community. Parks Victoria rangers have since cleared more than 100 kilometres of roads, walking trails and picnic grounds in the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges.  

The majority of storm impacted sites across the Dandenong Ranges have now re-opened, including all garden properties and the popular 1,000 Steps Walk. This work has been further influenced by increased visitation (post-COVID restrictions lifting) and continued extreme weather events.

Storm recovery works have also commenced at William Ricketts Sanctuary, with perimeter fuel break clearing and hazardous tree removal occurring within the Sanctuary's 13-hectare bushland block and its public car park area. Boundary fencing repairs have also commenced.

We are continuing to work on a plan to reopen the 2-hectare visitor gallery section of the Sanctuary, but it is going to take longer than other sites due to the sheer scale of the damage and the artistic and cultural importance of the sculptures.

At this stage, there is no specific date when the Sanctuary will re-open, but it is not expected to be before 2024.

Closures due to storm damage

==> Valley Picnic Ground is closed to picnicking; visitors can use Boundary Road to access the park however no vehicle access is permitted.
==> Sections of Sassafras Creek/Menzies Creek walking track
==> Wattle Track in Sherbrooke
==> William Ricketts Sanctuary
==> Areas of Silvan/Olinda forest

Attachments: DR Storm Damage Works - Autumn 2022 Flyer (1,671KB)

William Ricketts Sanctuary

The William Ricketts Sanctuary covers four acres of beautiful fern gully land with 92 ceramic sculptures, near the top of Mt Dandenong.

Situated in the Dandenongs in a ferny glade, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, due both to the natural setting and the mystical sculptures half hidden among ferns along the pathways.

It is a place for quiet reflection and for contemplation of the essence of the vision of William Ricketts. Many travel across the world to visit this place time and time again.

Things to Do

Kiln-fired clay sculptures of Aboriginal figures are discreetly set among rocks, fern trees and Mountain Ash. These sculptures are an expression of Rickett's philosophy - that all people need to act as custodians of the natural environment in the same way as Aborigines, the inspiration for much of his work.

Stroll through the gardens and explore the 92 ceramic sculptures of people and animals which merge with the natural surroundings.

Enjoy the audio-visual display featuring William Ricketts where visitors can see for themselves the vision and passion that live in his art.

Heritage

In the 1930s, William Rickets bought a four-acre bush block on Mount Dandenong and called it Potter's Sanctuary. Word spread about the extraordinary sculptures that began to adorn the property. In time, the Victorian Government heard about his work and, in the early 1960s, the land and adjoining blocks were bought for the people. William Ricketts lived on at the Sanctuary into his nineties and continued to create his sculptures until his death in 1993.

How to Get There

Access is via Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Mount Dandenong (Melway ref: 66 G1). A bus runs from Croydon Station.

❊ Address ❊

 ⊜  1402 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd Mount Dandenong 3767 View Map
 ✆ Telephone: 13 19 63

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❊ Web Links ❊

➼ William Ricketts Sanctuary - Temporary Closure 






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