Activities

From architectural statements to rustic tin sheds hidden among the vines, the Yarra Valley has a wonderful range of cellar doors, all reflecting the diversity of styles and approaches in this beautiful, cool-climate region, a stone’s throw from Melbourne.
Stunning scenery with wines to match
Snap up new vintage cool-climate masterpieces from over 70 wineries around Healesville and the picturesque village of Marysville further north, to those tucked into the beautiful hill country around Nillumbik, Hurstbridge and Kangaroo Ground.
Visit the cellar doors of architecturally imposing wineries to rustic tin sheds hidden among the vines, from stalwarts that continue to innovate like DeBortoli, Fergusson and Yering Station to newer favourites like Punt Road and Mandala Wines.
The wine region that started it all
Sample the grapes and marvel at the harmony of diverse soils, temperate weather, and the dedication of generations of vignerons in the pioneering region that kick-started Victoria’s wine industry in 1838.
Match the superb estate wines with a meal at a winery restaurant in the region that boasts multiple hatted chefs who create masterpieces from the lush and bountiful local produce.

Yarra Valley Dairy is renowned for producing award-winning fresh, soft cheeses made in distinctly Italian and French styles.
Visit the Cheese Shop and discover over fifteen delicious cheeses made on the farm. There are complimentary tasting of five cheeses or you can sit down and enjoy a cheese plate with a glass of local wine while looking across the valley floor to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range.
A range of antipasto, regional produce, coffee and cake are also available.

At SkyHigh Mount Dandenong you will get some perspective and escape the noise and pressures of the concrete jungle. Less than an hour from the Melbourne city centre you can be SkyHigh, on the uppermost reach of the Dandenong Ranges, amid cool fern glades and lush towering native forest, looking at the big picture, from the Mornington Peninsula across the majestic sweep of Port Phillip Bay, surrounded by Melbourne’s growing urban fringes, to the You Yangs on the southern horizon.
After sunset the southern sky, brilliant in the clear mountain night, is imitated by a spectacular carpet of twinkling lights.
Enjoy the unparalleled vista from the SkyHigh Bistro or fire up a public barbecue; spread a rug and picnic on the elevated viewing terrace.

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong has something for the whole family including English garden, Australiana Tree, Percy Possums House, Giant’s Chair and a hedged Maze for you and the kids to get lost in. There are nearby trail walks in the Dandenong Ranges, National Park, Wishing tree and the Arthur Streaton Monument.

The lush rainforest of Sherbrooke is one of the prettiest and most accessible places for bushwalking near Melbourne. Situated 40 kilometres east of the city and served by public transport, this forest is part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
The seven kilometre Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk is a good way to see the fern-filled gullies in this area. This circular walk winds through tall mountain ash forest, tree fern gullies and grassy clearings perfect for a picnic.
The forested sections are excellent for spotting lyrebirds as well as many other birds, including blue wrens and yellow robins. Listening to a lyrebird imitate the calls of an array of other birds, including kookaburras, magpies, whip birds and cockatoos, is an experience that’s hard to beat.

The Olinda section of Dandenong Ranges National Park, covering 790 hectares between Olinda, Kalorama and the catchment of Silvan Reservoir, once formed part of the Dandenong State Forest Reserve. One of the newer sectiones of the National Park, Olinda boasts relatively undisturbed native habitat.

Three picnic areas are located in the forest. Valley Picnic Ground to the south, Eagle Nest Picnic Ground to the east, and Olinda Falls Picnic Ground to the west.

The local tea room in the quaint old English village of St. Mary Mead was the gathering place for all the local identities.
It was a hotbed of gossip, and to anyone of an enquiring mind, like Miss Marple, it was a constant source of useful information.

It was Miss Marple’s shrewd powers of observation that enabled her to solve many a dastardly crime.

As she herselfso often observed, ‘Human nature is muchthe same everywhere, and of course, one has the opportunity of seeing it all at close quarters in a village like St. Mary Mead.’

Sometimes, the charming old lady could be found busily engaged in her garden, casting a watchful eye over the passersby; or on the outskirts of St. Mary Mead, binoculars poised, enjoying her favourite hobby of bird watching.

Miss Marple was the delightful character created by Agatha Christie, portrayed on the screen to perfection by Margaret Rutherford.

We trust that you too, will enjoy observing the local characters and identities, as you relax in the cosiness of Miss Marple’s Tea Room, in the village of Sassafras.

Healesville Sanctuary, or the Sir Colin MacKenzie Fauna Park, is a zoo specializing in native Australian animals. It is located at Healesville in rural Victoria, Australia, and has a history of breeding native animals. It is one of only two places to have successfully bred a platypus, the other being Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. It also assists with a breeding population of the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater.[1]

The zoo is set in a natural bushland environment where paths wind through different habitat areas showcasing wallabies, wombats, dingoes, kangaroos, and over 200 native bird varieties.

Conducted tours, bird shows and information areas are available to visitors.

Council’s premier park and tourist attraction Emerald Lake Park, in the heart of Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges, is approximately one hour’s drive east of Melbourne. As one of the destination points for the iconic Puffing Billy, the park offers a range of activities including picnics, walking trails, paddleboats and fishing – something for everyone.

Emerald Lake Park is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day, CFA declared ‘Code red’ and ‘Extreme’ fire danger days.

Grants Picnic Ground sits within the Sherbrooke Forest, the largest section of Dandenong Ranges National Park. A number of walking tracks, starting from the picnic grounds, enable you to discover some of the plants and animals of Sherbrooke.
Bird Feeding Area

There is a bird feeding area at Grants Picnic Ground.

Visitors must purchase a token from ‘Grants on Sherbrooke’ kiosk to enable them to enter the fenced Bird Feeding area and obtain a measured amount of seed to be offered to the wild birds. Visitors are not permitted to bring in their own seed nor offer seed or other food items to birds outside of the Bird Feeding Area.

There are no other areas within the Dandenong Ranges National Park where seed can be offered to native birds.

Go hot air ballooning over the spectacular Yarra Valley! Float across the sky and over the top of the unique landscapes of Australia’s most famous wine region. Peaceful yet exhilarating, the flight lasts for approximately one hour. Finish the journey with a delicious breakfast.

Take off on a beautiful hot air balloon flight over the Yarra Valley at dawn with Australia’s most exciting ballooning company. Float with the breeze over the picturesque landscapes of the Yarra Valley and view the scenery from a totally different perspective. Afterwards, celebrate a traditional champagne breakfast at Rochford Wines.