Mandala Vineyard
Tourism Victoria

Highlights

Healesville Sanctuary

Spread across 32 ha of bushland, this world-renowned native animal sanctuary has over 200 species, most roaming in natural settings. Special features include talks by keepers, a nocturnal viewing area, the bird-of-prey displays and the platypus exhibit.

Yarra Valley wineries

The 50 or so wineries of this district produce high-quality chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir. Visit Domaine Chandon, built by French champagne makers Moët & Chandon; the magnificent tasting-room offers fine views across the vine-covered valley. TarraWarra Estate features an impressive art gallery with temporary exhibitions of work by artists such as Brett Whiteley, Sidney Nolan and Arthur Boyd, and De Bortoli is home to a restaurant serving fine Italian-style fare. While touring the region for wines, follow the Yarra Valley Regional Food Trail, a self-guide tour taking in the many gourmet food outlets in the region.

Puffing Billy Steam Train

This magical little steam train takes you on a 25-kilometre journey through lush forest and tree ferns from Belgrave to Gembrook and back again. A genuine relic of Victoria’s early rail days, kids love the two-hour round trip, dangling their legs out the windows. Stopping at Emerald Lake along the way, a lovely tranquil spot ideal for picnics, paddleboating and walks, you can alight here to spend the day before returning on the train in the late afternoon.

Gardens of the Dandenongs

Mountain ash forests and fern gullies frame the historic cool-climate gardens of one of Australia’s best-known gardening regions. Many of the private gardens are open daily. Public gardens include the National Rhododendron Gardens and the R. J. Hamer Forest Arboretum (both near Olinda), the William Ricketts Sanctuary (Mt Dandenong) and the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens (Sherbrooke).

Marysville and Lake Mountain

This beautiful subalpine village, with its excellent cafes and art and craft outlets, provides access to the magnificent 84 m Steavenson Falls. Lake Mountain to the east is a popular tobogganing and cross-country skiing resort in winter, but also a great bushwalking destination in summer.

Focus On: Tours of the forest

This area has some of the state’s best forest scenery. Bushwalkers, horseriders and cyclists can travel the 38-kilometre Warburton Rail Trail, starting in Lilydale. The Beeches, an area of rainforest near Marysville, has a 5-kilometre stroll through forests of ancient beech and mountain ash. The less energetic can take a forest drive through or around Yarra Ranges National Park, choosing from the Black Spur Drive (between Healesville and Marysville), Acheron Way (from Warburton to Marysville) and the Lady Talbot Forest Drive (a shorter drive in the Marysville region). For something special, visit Mt Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery (near Warburton), which includes a viewing platform and a raised walkway through the rainforest.