Get wild in the valley

Love your locals this Queen's Birthday weekend, with Healesville's Four Pillars Gin debuting in their their first Wine and Wildlife and offering free tastings on the scenic Tasmanian Devil boardwalk. 169148 Picture: DEREK SCHLENNSTEDT

By Derek Schlennstedt

Over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, Healesville Sanctuary will be teaming up with Yarra Valley icons to bring you a gourmet experience with a wild difference.
The sanctuary will be holding its annual wine and wildlife event that runs from 10-12 June and will let visitors enjoy a glass of wine against the stunning backdrops of the sanctuary’s bushland setting.
While you sip on craft brews or delectable wines, keepers will roam around the grounds and introduce visitors to a wonderful array of scaly, feathered, and furry friends.
Each day from 11am to 4pm, five event spaces including undercover pavilions and grassy picnic lawns will showcase a line-up of Yarra Valley Wineries and craft breweries along with hearty winter food for visitors to sample and buy.
In their first debut at Wine and Wildlife, Four Pillars Gin will feature a pop-up bar on the scenic Tasmanian Devil boardwalk on Saturday only.
That Saturday also happens to coincide with World Gin Day, so there’s no better time to celebrate with a taster from the local Healesville gin producer.
All Wine and Wildlife proceeds directly support Zoos Victoria’s efforts to fight the extinction of 21 local threatened species.
Tastings are included with general admission and Zoos Victoria members and children under 16 receive free entry all weekend.
Visitors are invited to throw on their gumboots and a warm coat for a weekend full of wine and foodie fun!
Our newspapers are giving away 10 family passes (value $82.30 each) to Wine and Wildlife.
To be in the draw to win tickets email your name, address and contact number to wintickets@starnewsgroup.com.au.
Be quick. Entries close at noon on Thursday 8 June. Winners will be notified.
Save time and pre-purchase general admission tickets online at www.zoo.org.au/healesville/plan-yourvisit.
After enjoying the company of Australian wildlife, Four Pillars Gin will also be celebrating World Gin Day over the weekend and will be launching their hugely popular Bloody Shiraz Gin.