Attractions
what to see
SkyHigh Mt Dandenong
Get some Perspective & Escape the noise and pressures of the concrete jungle. Head out on a romantic drive and enjoy the stunning views over Melbourne. Get lost in the SkyHigh Maze, visit Percy The Possum’s House, the Australiana Tree and Giant’s Chair. Enjoy the unparalleled vista from the SkyHigh Bistro or fire up a public barbecue, spread a rug and picnic on the elevated viewing terrace. Take a leisurely walk through the gardens and visit our special Secret Garden.
William Ricketts Sanctuary
A place of beauty and tranquility, due both to the natural setting and the mystical sculptures half hidden among ferns along the pathways. It is a place for quiet reflection and for contemplation of the essence of the vision of William Ricketts. The winding paths and rock sculptures reflect a spirit of place expressed through one man’s dream. Deeply felt connections to the earthly mother and the spirit of the land are explored in 92 ceramic sculptures of people and animals which merge with the natural surroundings.
Miss Marples Tea Room
Inspired by Agatha Christie’s delightful character, Miss Marples Tea Room is a gallery of Miss Marple memorabilia. Styled on the local tea room in the quaint old English village of St. Mary Mead which was the gathering place for all the local Miss Marple 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. Enjoy a traditional menu and of course scones with jam and one of the range of teas.
Puffing Billy Railway
Come for a ride from Belgrave to Gembrook and experience Australia’s favourite steam train, one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world. Built to serve at the turn of the century it now winds through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges and is a great day out. Puffing Billy Railway is now a major tourist attraction and operates every day except Christmas Day, thanks to the tireless efforts of more than 900 dedicated volunteers.
Burrinja Gallery
Burrinja is a vibrant community cultural centre that encompasses an Indigenous gallery, collection and cultural education, contemporary arts gallery, performing arts, artist studios, live music, workshops and café. Burrinja’s function, purpose and programming are built on a multi-element vision that seeks to enable and encourage experiential and extended programs that integrate arts, performance, education and community.
Mont De Lancey Homestead
Have you ever wondered how the pioneers of the Yarra Valley lived a 100 or more years ago? Take a trip back in time, to Mont De Lancey and an authentic recreation of pioneer life that will engage and entertain you and your family. Wandin's earliest brick homestead and its gardens have been fully restored and you can even meet some of the descendants of the pioneer families who will bring local history alive as you tour this award-winning heritage attraction in the beautiful Yarra Valley.
Warratina Lavendar Farm
With over 10,000 lavender plants, the lavender grown on the farm is used both for culinary uses in cooking and for craft and household purposes. It is harvested by hand using a traditional sickle and then brought to the Drying Shed where they are hung to dry before being stripped on the stripping machine. The stripped lavender is then sifted three times to remove unwanted leaves, sticks and dust. This is a very busy period and a great time to visit the lavender farm from November to early February.
Yarra Valley Dairy
There are two parts to our dairy - the cheese factory and our cheese shop. The cheese factory uses the freshest cows milk provided by the neighbouring dairy farms and goats milk delivered regularly from the Gippsland region where the natural environment and pastures are more favourable for farming goats. The majority of our cheeses are fresh and soft in characteristic, made in distinctly Italian and French styles; however our mature cheeses have become an important part of our production and range. All the handmade Farmhouse Cheeses are available for tasting and purchase.
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
This stunning architect designed Chocolaterie is a sweet feast for the senses. They welcome you with free chocolate tastings, displays of thousands of premium chocolates and European chocolatiers at work handcrafting our creations. Delight in the experience of tasting, seeing and indulging in quality products in our spectacular showroom and café nestled amongst sweeping valley vistas. Ice creams, decadent sweet treats and a light lunch await in our café while our expansive lawns, orchard and sculptures are the perfect place for children to play and explore.
Healesville Sanctuary
Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia’s most loved tourist attractions and the best place in Victoria to see and interact with native Australian wildlife. The Sanctuary is committed to fighting wildlife extinction and offers visitors the opportunity to come close up to unique Australian animals in a stunning bushland setting. Each day, we offer opportunities to hear our expert keepers talk about the animals in their care and the conservation work being done for various species.
TarraWarra Museum of Art
TarraWarra Museum of Art is one of the cultural jewels in the Yarra Valley providing visitors with a relaxing and enjoyable experience comprising of both stunning architecture and a wealth of modern and contemporary art to absorb. It is the first privately funded, significant public visual arts museum to be set up under the Australian Government’s philanthropic measures announced in March 1999. TWMA operates as a not-for-proit institution, with a charter to display Australian art from the second half of the twentieth century to the present day.