OBI’S LIONHEART SANCTUARY
Come and stay or volunteer at ‘Obi’s Lionheart Sanctuary’ which is situated within the gorgeous lower Blue Mountains wilderness.
Obi is the lion that inspired one of the founders, Dannii, to start Obi’s Lionheart Sanctuary. Dannii met Obi at birth and it was love at first sight. Obi pulled her to Africa several times to work and volunteer over an 11 year period in her animal welfare career, one time where she dedicated over a year to his care at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary. His guardianship and legacy will live on through the sanctuary name. R.I.P Obi- 27th October - 1st April, 2023.
PHOTO BY NATASHA MAGO
The property is a dedicated wildlife reserve, rescue site and education hub.
We intend to maintain the land for these purposes, with a vision to build a wildlife refuge and animal rescue (which we have already begun), with release enclosures, dedicated spaces and educational events already taking place. The sanctuary will create and maintain balanced and vibrant ecosystems for all animals who live there or are released after rehab.
Wildlife and nature enthusiasts can book to stay at the sanctuary in a gorgeous exclusive glamping set up or camp at one of 3 spacious sites. This eco opportunity is to encourage people to develop and nurture their connection to nature.
Small events, retreats and gatherings can be held on the property. We have had ecology walks, family reunions, bush tucker workshops, artists using the land for retreats/creative work and more. We are open to your ideas to help bring your nature inspired event to life!
Eco and permaculture practices are followed and taught to volunteers who work on the land and interested folk who stay in the accommodation. Book your stay on Hicamp on the link below or by emailing us directly for a cheaper rate
The sanctuary is always open to volunteers coming to stay, help out and connect with this magical and innovative space.
You can book a private bird watching tour, ecology walk or ‘sunset rock’ walk with the hosts themselves, or wander the numerous tracks, with one main track starting at the sanctuary.
The sanctuary is registered through Land for Wildlife and they are members of Hawkesbury Environment Network and the Australian Ecosystems Foundation. They are hoping to connect and apply for Odonata Sanctuary Program and are deeply connected with Mountains for Wildlife, of which Dannii helped establish with 3 other locals from the first days. They are also connected to the Humane Society International under their Wildlife Land Trust.
You are able to immerse yourself with community conservation and wildlife events that run in the local area by several groups including Mountains for Wildlife, some events of which will be held at Obi’s Lionheart Sanctuary.
Dannii is an experienced animal carer and teacher, having volunteered, worked and educated extensively around the world. Adam has volunteered and worked with animals as well as on several permaculture farms in Africa and Thailand to gain valuable enviro care knowledge to bring to the land. He is also a whiz with building, using a recycled and rustic approach that suits the landscape.
The property spans 6.4 hectares and backs directly on to the Wollemi National Park. It features two dams, a stream and a waterfall with a glow worm dell. The property is comprised of well-established eucalypt and turpentine woodland, with Angophora, Xanthorrhoea, Waratahs (Telopea speciosissima), Banksias and native grasses,among many other species.
Mother trees are estimated to be a few hundred years old and after a visit from a local Indigenous person, it was apparent that there is plenty of bushtucker on the land too, a favourite being the deep purple sweet berry, Dianella caerulea.
The sanctuary is abundant with wildlife including koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii), lace monitors (Varanus varius) and an array of native (and some endangered) birds such as the gang-gang (Callocephalon fimbriatum) and sulphur-crested (Cacatua galerita) cockatoos and yellow (Zanda funerea) and red-tailed (Calyptorhynchus banksii) black-cockatoos. Macropods have been heard on the land and bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) scats have been found.
“We look forward to welcoming you to our piece of paradise in the near future and hope to inspire and ignite connection to all who choose to land here.”
SANCTUARY SHOP & CONTRIBUTIONS
Purchase fencing to help secure and safe zone the entire sanctuary!
AUD / $45.00 per metre
Purchase an animal enclosure for the next rescue animal/s. 10 x 4m for $6000, but you can purchase multiple at checkout and choose the size. Once purchased you can name the enclosure (or name it after a loved one) and stay at the sanctuary glamping for 2 nights (included in enclosure purchase).
AUD / $6,000.00
Buy a 1x1 metre plot of the sanctuary to gift yourself, an animal loving friend or family member. A personalised certificate will be posted to you. Overseas orders are welcome.
(This is a novelty purchase only and does not mean you legally own the land)
AUD / $100
Donate towards securing a portion of the sanctuary land forever. This gives you many exclusive inclusions such as glamping, camping, spa treatments and naming the enclosure (after a loved one, or sponsorship sign with your business name) and much more.
