Page 449 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

EASTERN VIC T ORIA  447

4Dandenong
Ranges
£ Ferntree Gully & Belgrave.
@ to most towns. n Ferntree
Gully (03) 9758 7522. Open 9am–5pm
daily. ∑ visitdandenongranges.
com.au
Since the mid-19th century, the
Dandenong Ranges, to the east
of Melbourne, have been a
popular weekend retreat for city
residents. The cool of the
mountain ash forests, lush fern Domaine Chandon vineyard in the Yarra Valley
gullies and bubbling creeks
provide a welcome relief from Another tranquil walk is the 5Yarra Valley
the bayside heat. 15-km (9-mile) path from £ Lilydale. @ Healesville service.
The great gardens of the Sassafras to Emerald. n Healesville (03) 5962 2600.
Dandenongs, many of which Healesville Sanctuary, with
once belonged to the mansions its 30 ha (75 acres) of natural The beautiful Yarra Valley,
of wealthy families, are mag- bushland, remains the best place located at the foot of the
nificent for walks and picnics. to see indigenous Australian Dandenong Ranges, is home
Particularly popular is the Alfred animals in relatively relaxed to some of Australia’s best
Nicholas Memorial Garden at captivity. Highlights of any visit cool-climate wineries (see
Sherbrooke with its oaks, elms, are the sightings of rare species pp382–3). They are known for
silver birches and Japanese such as platypuses, their Méthode Champenoise
maples around a boating lake. marsupials and birds of sparkling wines,
Flowers are the obvious attraction prey. This is a popular Chardonnays
of the National Rhododendron place to bring children and Pinot Noirs. Most
Gardens at Olinda and Tesselaar’s who want to learn about of the wineries are
Tulip Farm at Silvan. A steam Australian wildlife. open daily for wine
train, Puffing Billy, runs several Further east are the tastings. Several also
times daily from Belgrave Steavenson Falls and have restaurants,
through 24 km (15 miles) of also nearby are the serving food to
gullies and forests to Emerald mountains of the accompany their
Lake and on to Gembrook. Cathedral Ranges and fine wines.
The superb lyrebird makes the snow fields and Just past the
its home in the Dandenongs, trails of Lake Mountain Sparkling wine of bush town of Yarra
particularly in Sherbrooke (see pp452–3). the Yarra Valley Glen is the historic
Forest. The 7-km (4-mile) Gulf Station. Owned
Eastern Sherbrooke Lyrebird O Healesville Sanctuary by the National Trust, it
Circuit Walk through mountain Badger Creek Rd, Healesville. provides an authentic glimpse
ash offers a chance to glimpse Tel (03) 5957 2800. Open 9am–5pm of farming life at the end of the
these beautiful but shy birds. daily. & 7 ∑ zoo.org.au 19th century.

The famous Puffing Billy steam train, making its way through the Dandenong Ranges