Rescued animals find hope and healing at Panorama Wildlife Sanctuary

Escape into a world of natural wonder and hidden treasures at the Panorama Wildlife Sanctuary and Secret Gardens, where memories are waiting to be made.

Privately owned by Annemaree Van Rooy and Nick Smith, the property is a 22ha oasis of tranquillity in Boneo boasting panoramic views for more than 100km across Bass Strait and Port Phillip.

When the couple bought the property 26 years ago, their focus was on creating 10ha of manicured gardens – a task that took more than 18 years to complete – with more than 20,000 plants in 19 distinct displays, as well as lakes, streams, waterfalls, wetlands and rainforest.

Annemaree’s passion for animals saw her and Nick launch the sanctuary and rescue arm of Panorama 15 years ago, and it’s now home to more than 50 animals. Visitors will find all manner of native wildlife roaming free, including rare albino kangaroos, a large red kangaroo, emus, pademelons, wallabies, echidnas, possums, sugar gliders, blue-tongue lizards, turtles, and tawny frogmouths.

It's not just exotic creatures that reside here; the couple also rescue farm animals such as alpacas, cows, and sheep – the only animals they confine to paddocks.

Caring for their menagerie is a job that requires availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Annemaree can often be found giving three-hourly feeds to juvenile animals and investing significant time regaining the trust of animals previously neglected.

Tours are held on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10am and start in the nursery, where visitors interact with the animals in care before wandering the rest of the grounds, viewing the wildlife from a distance, and relaxing in the stunning gardens. Admission is $30 a person, $20 for children under 15, and free for children under 5. Plan for a maximum of three hours to enjoy the entire property. Book online at panoramagardenestate.com.au