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REGION: Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

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Only a hour's drive from Melbourne, the beautiful Dandenong Ranges form a natural backdrop to Victoria's capital city, attracting hordes of city visitors annually to this green haven of hills and forests. Rising to an average elevation of 500-600m, the Dandenong Ranges peak at Mount Dandenong, 633m above sea level.

Colourful, inviting and cool, especially in summer, the Dandenongs are popular for daytrips, not only for their intrinsic beauty but also for the many beautiful gardens and great variety of European and native trees and shrubs.

The Dandenongs are home to 6 of the Great Gardens of Melbourne. The rich volcanic soil and plentiful rain ensures that plants flourish here, and there are many nurseries and arboretums to visit.

The smattering of restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and tearooms in the many townships of the Dandenongs provide excellent detours from exploring the region's stunning scenery.

The Yarra Valley is becoming renowned as one of Victoria’s premium wine regions and is celebrated each year with the grape grazing festival. Only a short distance from Melbourne CBD, the Yarra Valley offers restaurants, cellar doors, hotels and recently established golf courses.

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Tourist info

Dandenong Ranges and Knox Visitor Information Centre

  • Ph: (03) 9758 7522
 

Parks/Reserves

  • Yarra Ranges NP

latest stories

Chinese visitors enjoy a real Aussie Experience

katandra | 2008-07-01 | In April this year Katandra Gardens of Wandin received a visit from a group from the China Academic Degrees and; Graduate Education Development Centre who had come to communicate with the Australia Universities. | read more

The charm of the Acheron Valley, Victoria

acheronvalley | 2008-02-28 | The Acheron Valley, around an hours drive east of Melbourne and over the Black Spur, is an icon of Victoria waiting to be discovered. Offering a 'nature based' experience, the Acheron Valley provides city dwellers a place to really escape the daily grind and to get back in touch with nature. | read more

Yarra Ranges National Park

yvmarketing | 2008-02-28 | The Yarra Valley is renowned for its wineries, festivals, golf courses and weekend getaway style accommodation, though many travellers are not aware of the National Park that adjoins this area. | read more

Great Gardens of the Dandenongs

yvmarketing | 2008-02-28 | The Dandenong Ranges are blessed with a 'rain forest' like climate. Sheltered from the heat of Victoria's summer months and regularly blanketed in mist and rain, the Dandenong's make for an ideal environment for the creation of spectacular gardens. | read more

 

top stories

Melbourne's Yarra Valley

yvmarketing | 2008-02-28 | A region of over 55 world class wineries and set amidst a back drop of mist covered hills – the Yarra Valley is easy to get to, but impossible to leave. | read more

Chinese visitors enjoy a real Aussie Experience

katandra | 2008-07-01 | In April this year Katandra Gardens of Wandin received a visit from a group from the China Academic Degrees and; Graduate Education Development Centre who had come to communicate with the Australia Universities. | read more

Great Gardens of the Dandenongs

yvmarketing | 2008-02-28 | The Dandenong Ranges are blessed with a 'rain forest' like climate. Sheltered from the heat of Victoria's summer months and regularly blanketed in mist and rain, the Dandenong's make for an ideal environment for the creation of spectacular gardens. | read more

The charm of the Acheron Valley, Victoria

acheronvalley | 2008-02-28 | The Acheron Valley, around an hours drive east of Melbourne and over the Black Spur, is an icon of Victoria waiting to be discovered. Offering a 'nature based' experience, the Acheron Valley provides city dwellers a place to really escape the daily grind and to get back in touch with nature. | read more

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Main Attractions

Puffing Billy

  • This vintage steam train has run almost continuously since its debut in 1900. With its open carriages and restaurant car, it is one of Victoria's top attractions. On total fire ban days, diesel locomotives replace it. The 25km journey between Belgrave and Gembrook and back again is beautiful and includes travelling over timber trestle bridges and through forests and tree ferns.

Belgrave

  • Home to the beloved vintage steam train Puffing Billy.

Dandenong Ranges National Park

  • See the world's tallest flowering plant in the Dandenongs' the mountain ash tree.

Mount Dandenong Observatory

  • This lookout offers a breathtaking vantage point for panoramic views over Melbourne, Port Phillip and Western Port.

Olinda

  • An ideal time to visit Olinda is in spring during the floral festival, when the town is a riot of colour.

Sassafras

  • Picturesque Sassafras offers charming stores and galleries.

William Ricketts Sanctuary

  • This sanctuary is a testimony to the work of Ricketts, who spent much time with the Aboriginal people of Central Australia. The setting of fern gardens and rock waterfalls provide a natural gallery for his kiln-fired sculptures of Aboriginal people.

editors picks

Melbourne's Yarra Valley

yvmarketing | 2008-02-28 | A region of over 55 world class wineries and set amidst a back drop of mist covered hills – the Yarra Valley is easy to get to, but impossible to leave. | read more

Chinese visitors enjoy a real Aussie Experience

katandra | 2008-07-01 | In April this year Katandra Gardens of Wandin received a visit from a group from the China Academic Degrees and; Graduate Education Development Centre who had come to communicate with the Australia Universities. | read more

Great Gardens of the Dandenongs

yvmarketing | 2008-02-28 | The Dandenong Ranges are blessed with a 'rain forest' like climate. Sheltered from the heat of Victoria's summer months and regularly blanketed in mist and rain, the Dandenong's make for an ideal environment for the creation of spectacular gardens. | read more

Yarra Ranges National Park

yvmarketing | 2008-02-28 | The Yarra Valley is renowned for its wineries, festivals, golf courses and weekend getaway style accommodation, though many travellers are not aware of the National Park that adjoins this area. | read more

 
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