The Sanctuary

The Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre, established in 1990, aims to:

1. Preserve and conserve  the original gene pool of the Australian Dingo into the future,  using the best possible husbandry methods and practice
    
2. Educate  the public on the many facets of the species, particularly its beneficial role in wild ecosystems, and instil the fact that the dingo is a true species, and not a man made breed of dog
    
3. Promote the species and dispel  the myths surrounding the dingo
    
4. Facilitate non­invasive researchto better understand the dingo species
    
5. Eventually re-­introduce the dingo species to approved safe habitats in co­operation with authorities and scientific monitoring projects
    
6. Solve the mystery of the true origins of the Australian dingo
    

The sanctuary is a unique conservation establishment set on 40 acres in the picturesque foothills of the Macedon Ranges. It is situated only 35 minutes from the CBD to Melbourne’s north­east, in the Shire of Melton, abutting the Pyrete State Forest, and only 30 minutes from Melbourne Airport.

Although not officially open to the public on a full time basis, many hundreds of visitors from around the world find their way to this haven annually to enjoy the dingoes and the outstanding views across Melbourne suburbs, city and bays. This is arranged by open days, special bookings and group tours.  Visitors are welcome by prior appointment.

To succeed in our mission we believe that our exceptional facility, which is home to about 30 dingoes, should become a public attraction.  The envisioned Visitor Interpretative and Education Centre would become a hub for all of the activities of the Foundation and be a showcase for its work.

The sanctuary supplies zoos and wildlife parks with dingoes for exhibition. The sanctuary is proud to have provided the beautiful examples of Australian Dingo now being exhibited by major zoos and fauna parks worldwide, including Taronga Zoo and the Koala Park (Sydney, NSW),  Fort Wayne Zoo Indiana, USA., Bredl’s Wildlife Wonder world (Renmark, SA), Quindalup Fauna Park and Marapana Wild Life Park (Western Australia), Ipswich Nature Park, and Brisbane Zoo (Queensland), Philip Island Wildlife World, Pearcedale Moonlit Zoo, Halls Gap Wildlife Park (Victoria), and many others, with future orders in hand from a number of well known zoos overseas. View  map to see where our dingoes have travelled.