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The William Ricketts Sanctuary
Spiritual, William Ricketts Sanctuary magic, you can feel it as soon as you enter this amazing sculpture garden.
It folds over and around you like a soft protective feather doona.
Your spirit instinctively knows that this is a Spiritual Place.
A place where old souls meet young souls and hand in hand wander through the most beautiful fern forest.
Aboriginal Sculptures In The Dandenongs
92 ceramic sculptures of people and animals are scattered throughout the lush rainforest grounds covering 4 acres.
All hand crafted by the amazing and extremely talented Australian Sculptor and artist William Ricketts.
There is a natural spring located above the sanctuary and the water from this flows over some of the beautiful sculptures. According to William Ricketts, the water symbolizes
"The never Ending Flowing Essence of the Spirit"
The trees provide a natural medium for some of the works of art and due to bushfire damage some of these have been burnt. In most of the sculptures you will find hidden animals.
Aborigine Sculpture - William Ricketts Sculpture GardenWhere Is The Aboriginal Sculpture Garden?
Address
1402-1404 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road
Mount Dandenong
VIC 3767
Open Hours
The Sanctuary opens at 10:00 am and closes at 4:30 pm. It is not open on Christmas Day.
Group bookings can be arranged by phoning the Sanctuary on 13 1963.
Please note that Admission to the Sanctuary is FREE
How To Get To The Sanctuary
- Follow Mount Dandenong Tourist Road to Mount Dandenong (Melway ref: 66 G1).
You can also access the Sanctuary from Burwood Hwy through Upper Ferntree Gully.
For a more informative route plan if you are driving then just go to the map above and click onto the blue icon. Follow the prompts from there.
- A Bus runs from Croydon Station.
Check out the Metlink Site for Timetable details.
Entrance to the William Ricketts Sanctuary in the Dandenong Mountains Melbourne Australia
Aboriginal Female Sculpture - William Ricketts Mount Dandenong Melbourne Australia
Aboriginal children's sculpture at William Ricketts Sanctuary Mount Dandenong Melbourne AustraliaDo it EASY touring
Dandenong Ranges Tour including the William Ricketts Sanctuary
Escape Melbourne City for the day and visit the tranquil forest of the Dandenong Ranges. This private day tour will take visitors on a scenic drive through the forest with a stop at William Ricketts Sanctuary. View the unique sculptures of Aboriginal people and learn more about the culture here before stopping to enjoy a delicious restaurant lunch.
In the afternoon, take an easy walk through the ancient forest and keep your eyes peeled for Lyrebirds that tiptoe through the forest. See eucalyptus and towering fern trees before returning back to Melbourne. This full day tour is exclusively available for three guests only and departs Melbourne at 10.30am and returning at 4.30pm.
Inclusions
- Dandenong Ranges Tour
- Discover the unique sculptures of Aboriginal people in the tranquility of the forest
- Learn about Aboriginal culture and spirituality at the William Ricketts Sanctuary
- Enjoy a wholesome and healthy lunch at a cosy and homely restaurant
- Explore the majestic eucalyptus and fern tree forest on a leisurely walk, and soak in the sights and sounds in nature
- Personal and intimate guided tour (maximum 3 people per group)
Please note that some links on this page are to companies
that I have an affiliation with. By that I mean that if you purchase a product
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termed Monetization and it is a way for me to keep my site out here for you to
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The Artist William Ricketts
William Ricketts was born in 1898 in Richmond, a suburb of Melbourne. He lived a full and very colorful life until he passed away peacefully at the sanctuary in 1998.
His sculptures have been inspired by the years that he spent living and learning about the Indigenous Cultures of the Desert People of the Pitjantjara and Arrernte.
It is very obvious when you walk around just how connected William Ricketts was with these people.
The faces are most amazing and lifelike and his talent was natural and self-taught.
Mother Earth at William Ricketts Sanctuary Mont Dandenong Melbourne AustraliaThe Sanctuary Facilities
At the Sanctuary you will also find:
- An Audio Visual Theatrette
- A Bookshop with varied and interesting subjects
- A Beautiful little Outdoor Church
- The Original Kiln Display and Gallery, this is where these amazing artworks started to take lifeforms. Just sit quietly and feel the aura, quite a moving experience.
- The Gatehouse Information Center and Souvenier Shop, where all questions and quearies can be answered
- Car and Bus Parking is available
- Toilets are available
Young Aboriginal Girl Sculpture at William Ricketts Sanctuary Mount Dandenong Melbourne AustraliaLooking After The William Ricketts Sanctuary
- All Rubbish goes with you, no littering policy
- No eating, drinking or picnicking or smoking is allowed on the grounds
- Please do not climb on the rocks or over the Sculptures
- No animals of the friendly fury dog kind are allowed
Spiritual attachment to mother earth William Ricketts Sanctuary Melbourne AustraliaMany of his other works can be found at Pitchi Ritchi near Alice Springs.
There is also a sculpture in the Seawinds Gardens at Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsular.
For more information on the enchanting and mysterious William-Ricketts Sanctuary please feel free to visit Parks Victoria
Aboriginal sculpture of men at the William Ricketts Sanctuary Melbourne AustraliaThe images above are just a sample of what you will find in this amazing Aboriginal Sculpture Garden in Mount Dandenong.
This is a place that is highly recommended by Family Getaways Melbourne as somewhere to take the whole family. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours exploring the Sanctuary.
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