MT ROTHWELL
SANCTUARY

Protecting species and restoring ecosystems

Managed by Odonata Foundation, Mt Rothwell is Victoria’s second-largest feral predator-free ecosystem, just 50 km from Melbourne. This 473-hectare sanctuary is home to some of Australia’s most threatened fauna, including the eastern barred bandicoot, southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby, and eastern quoll.

Originally established for high-conservation-value species breeding and research, Mt Rothwell now plays a leading role in protecting species native to Victoria’s basalt plains grasslands and woodlands, landscapes that once dominated the region and are now among the most endangered in Australia.

At a glance

  • Location: Little River, VIC (Wadawurrung Country)

  • Size: 473 hectares

  • Predator-free since: 2004

  • Species protected: 20+ native species

  • Home to: ~80% of the mainland Eastern Barred Bandicoot population

Click here to book your tour

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Discover some of Victoria's most threatened species thriving at Mt Rothwell

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Click here to book your tour · Discover some of Victoria's most threatened species thriving at Mt Rothwell ·

Species we protect

Mt Rothwell is a critical site for the recovery of several flagship species, including but not limited to:

Eastern barred bandicoot
Now functionally extinct in the wild on the mainland, ~80% of their remaining population lives here.

Eastern quoll
Once vanished from Victoria, now successfully reintroduced.

Spotted-tailed quoll
Apex predator and vital ecosystem regulator.

Southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby
Shy, cliff-dwelling marsupial rebounding inside the fence.

Our impact so far

1,000+ southern brown bandicoots thriving after reintroduction

Eastern quolls re-established in the wild after decades of absence

Multiple successful translocations to other Odonata sites like Tiverton

Get involved

Whether you're a nature lover, scientist, student or supporter, you can be part of this story.

Book a spotlight tour and see rare wildlife under the stars

Volunteer on the ground with our rangers

Donate to help us upgrade infrastructure and reintroduce more species

Sponsor a species and support long-term recovery