This is the Yarra Valley, and it's not your average valley.
The Dandenongs are a little bit different from the Yarra Valley. The Dandenongs are famous for their ferns in shades of deep green, steam trains winding over photo-worthy trestle bridges, and cozy lunch dwellings. But what about the natural wonders? Well, there aren't any! There are just lots of hills… and fresh produce at every turn.
Visiting either one of these two valleys is like stepping into a whole other world—one where you can escape from the monotony of living in a city and spend some time on a farm or in a vineyard. It's exactly what I did while visiting both places last weekend: I spent some time exploring the hills between 70 cellar doors in the Dandenongs, then spent more time wandering around wineries with my boyfriend in the Yarra Valley.
COOMBE THE MELBA ESTATE
What do you get when you combine a 600-meter-long cypress hedge, a secret garden, and a dining experience that is as much about the food as it is about being in nature?
The answer is COOMBE THE MELBA ESTATE.
And now this beautiful place can be yours for an afternoon or morning of relaxation and exploration. On Monday and Saturday mornings, you can join one of our guides for a guided tour that includes morning or afternoon tea at the acclaimed restaurant.
TREES ADVENTURE - GLEN HARROW PARK
The adventure of a lifetime is just a few minutes away from Belgrave!
We've got the perfect place for you: Glen Harrow Park.
Located on the traditional Wurundjeri land, this estate spans eight hectares of mostly forest alongside Puffing Billy Station in Belgrave. It features rare trees, including a magnificent 150-year-old Algerian Oak, used as the ‘Home Tree’ for the tree top adventure courses. The park offers 7 long challenge courses and 2 short courses, 6 vertical challenges and 110+ challenges and 23 flying foxes with the longest one 120m.
A two-and-a-half-hour session through aerial challenges (including training) will have you laughing along with kookaburras. Check-in is 15 minutes prior so we can get you geared up on time for some serious fun!
Californian Redwood Forest
If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne's city center and head out into nature, we've got some great news: there's a forest nearby!
It's called the Californian Redwood Forest, and it's just 15 minutes from Warburton—which means you can take a refreshing walk through the majestic trees in just 90 minutes.
Do some forest bathing in the company of almost 1500 enormous red-barked trees, some of which stand up to 55 meters high. And did we mention that there are 1500 of them? You'd be hard-pressed to find another place in Australia with this many trees. Well, maybe not… but you get what we're saying.
So go on! Check out your new favorite place for a picnic or just a short walk through nature.
Alowyn Gardens
If you're looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, look no further than Alowyn Gardens.
Located in the Yarra Valley, this 7-acre display garden offers gorgeous spring flowers and summer fruits, as well as fall foliage and winter greenery.
This peaceful oasis is perfect for those seeking an escape from the city. It was created by Prue and John Van de Linde over the last twenty years, who were inspired by their love of gardening and the outdoors. The garden features an array of perennial plants, succulents, trees and fruit trees in a gorgeous setting amid beautiful stone walls.
CLOUDEHILL NURSERY AND GARDENS
The hills come alive with bright flowers and woodlands at Cloudehill, which adjoins a nursery and cozy cafe. Walking among the giant 80-year-old European Beech trees will clear your head and your tension, ready for the week ahead.
The garden is made up of 20 ‘rooms’, each with its highlights, such as Japanese weeping maples, bold sculptures or Himalayan tree rhododendrons.This is one of the most impressive gardens in the country—do not miss it!
SKYHIGH MAZE
If you like views with your gardens, then you’re in luck at the hills’ (literally) top spot, overlooking the city skyline and the towering Dandenong Ranges National Park.
The maze has four secrets to uncover, including (spoiler alert) sculptures, butterflies and illusions; it’s like brain training inside a lilly pilly hedge puzzle.
The garden is also home to over 100 native plants and more than 30 species of birds.
DRIVEN INDULGENCE
Driven Indulgence is the one-stop shop for all your food, wine, and scenic touring needs.
If you can think of it, they can make it happen. Whether you're looking to visit some of the most beautiful wineries in Victoria or just want to get away from the office for a day, they've got you covered.
We know that sometimes an impromptu getaway can be tough to come by—and that's why they offer private and flexible options so that you can create your own personalized experience. You decide what kind of tour you'd like, where you want to go, how long you want to stay there—basically, it's up to you! They also offer a designated driver service so that even the most adventurous traveler can feel at ease while enjoying their trip.
They take pride in the ability to provide everything from local pick-ups at your hotel or home base (no matter where in Melbourne that may be) to airport transfers (if needed), as well as personalizing each trip with suggestions based on your interests and budget.
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