Things to Do in Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & The Ranges
Things to see and do in Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & The Ranges, Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & The Ranges highlights, Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & The Ranges activities and attractions, and points of interest in Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & The Ranges - the ALL NEW Jasons Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & The Ranges Things to Do Guide is your complete guide to sightseeing in Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & The Ranges.
Cultural and Historical Attractions
- Puffing Billy, Australia’s oldest and most meticulously preserved steam train. The 25km round trip to Emerald Lakeside Park and Gembrook takes a little over 2 hours, with a number of different services including morning and afternoon teas, lunch and dinner trips, special interest tours and on-board wedding reception facilities.
- The Puffing Billy Steam Museum is located at Menzies Creek, 6km west of Belgrave, the museum houses a collection of narrow gauge locomotives, rolling stock and steam engines, and is open every weekend, Wednesday and public holidays.
- The Thousand Steps and the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
A challenging track linking Fern Tree Gully Picnic Ground and Upper Fern Tree Gully west of Belgrave.Commemorative plaques depict the lives of Australian soldiers who fought and died in PNG during World War II.
- Belgrave Art Stockade
Featuring 10 rooms of locally made fine art, inclding wrought iron, woodwork, pottery, leathergoods, jewellery, paintings and much more.
- The Rail Trail is a 42km track following the route of the historic railway line from Warburton to Lilydale, now a popular route for hiking, cycling and horse riding with spectacular views of the Yarra Valley.
- Hot air ballooning flights over the Yarra Valley wine region including champagne breakfast or wine tasting.
Natural Wonders
- Best known for its towering Mountain Ash trees and the Sherbrook Falls, this part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park is home to large numbers of rosellas, kookburras, currawongs, robins, and honeyeaters and some superb lyrebirds.
- Grant’s Picnic Ground, near Kallista is ideal for a picnic or barbecue. Try the charming Sherbrook Tea Rooms and the Margaret Lester Forest Track, specially surfaced for those with limited mobility.
- It's a short drive to the 40ha National Rhododendron Gardens, Alfred Nicholas Gardens, George Tindale Gardens, the 100ha RJ Hamer Arbortum, the Pirianda Gardens and the William Ricketts Sanctuary, which features clay sculptures inspired by the Koori Aboriginal people of south-eastern Australia.
- Numerous bushwalks including the Yarra River Walk with 14km of walking tracks along both banks of the river connected by six bridges and the Walk into History, which follows the timber hauling tramway lines.
Accommodation
- Romantic and relaxing overnight and weekend stays
An array of accommodation, including guest houses, B&Bs, coach-houses, elegant country homes and bushland retreats.
Wineries & Cuisine
- Yarra Valley wineries has over 2500ha of vines and more than 40 wineries varying from small one-man operations to large national and international companies make up this premium wine producing area.
- The Yarra Valley Regional Food Trail
The producers on Victoria’s most extensive food and wine trail are easily identified by a distinctive symbol, and the local produce includes cheese, game, trout, preserves, fruit, berries, herbs and confectionary and much more. Local restaurants feature this produce with award winning results.