Backpack Victoria

YARRA VALLEY AND THE DANDENONGS

For a dose of the green, green countryside, head to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, only an hour or so from Melbourne. The region is blessed with some of the most beautiful parks and forests in Victoria, and some of the best tasting tipple, too!

You’ll find wineries by the score in the Yarra Valley, many offering wine tastings. Pack a picnic, taste a few wines and relax, or even consider picking up some work on your stay.

Smack in the middle of the region is Healesville Sanctuary, one of the best places in Australia to go toe-to-toe with a dingo, kangaroo or a wombat, whatever your preference.

You can get up to almost anything in the Dandenong Ranges:

• Beat a path to Lake Mountain or Mount Donna Buang for snowsports in winter and walking trails in summer
• Ride through dense forests on the Puffing Billy Steam Railway, Australia’s oldest steam train, which winds through mighty fern gullies
• Go horse riding and hot-air ballooning, or four-wheel driving and cycling on old rail trails.

How to get there

By car:
To Yarra Valley
From the centre of Melbourne:
Travel along the Eastern Freeway until you reach the Springvale Road exit, turn right onto Springvale Road, turn left at Maroondah Highway and follow the road through Ringwood and Lilydale to Healesville. At Coldstream leave the Maroondah Highway and turn onto the Melba Highway to Yarra Glen.

For a more scenic journey, leave the city on the Eastern Freeway until you reach the Burke Road North exit, follow Burke Road to Upper Heidelberg Road and Metropolitan Route 44 to Eltham. Follow the Main Road through Eltham to Kangaroo Ground. Turn right onto the Eltham-Yarra Glen Road.

To the Dandenong Ranges
From the centre of Melbourne: 
Take the Eastern Freeway until the Springvale Road exit, turn right onto Springvale Road, turn left onto Canterbury Road and follow the road to Montrose. Turn right at the Montrose roundabout and follow the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road through Kalorama and Mt Dandenong to Olinda.

By public transport:
There are several train lines into the region and numerous bus services. Metropolitan trains run to Hurstbridge, Lilydale and Belgrave. Various bus companies run services between towns and villages in the region. For detailed information on timetables and costs contact Metlink on 13 1638 or visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.

By tour:
Tours to Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges and local attractions run frequently – check out the links below or enquire at your hostel.