View of Melbourne from atop of Mount DandenongFor over 100 years the Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley have been a traditional Summer retreat for people from Melbourne. These ranges, 50 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, are a renowned beauty area and tourist attraction.
There are a number of pretty townships dotted throughout the hills. Many of the gracious old homes have now been converted into guest houses and restaurants. The Yarra Valley, in particular, boasts the best Wineries with restaurants that also serve local produce ( I know of this especially due to colleagues going on wine tours in the Yarra Valley....well, nurses do love their wine....right?)
'Skyhigh Restaurant' atop of the Mount DandenongThe entire area is famous for its beautiful gardens and for its great variety of European trees. These are particularly attractive in the Spring and Autumn. Many excellent restaurants and galleries aswell as antique shops are ideally placed for a relaxed day out from Melbourne. Avid birdwatchers would also enjoy a tour of the area, you can even hand feed some of the birds in some locations.
Emerald Lake
Silvan is a pretty township located in the Dandenongs, it has the annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival. This has been going on for 53 years now and growing larger in popularity by the year. The history of how the Tesselaar Tulip Farm came about can be read HERE. It is a wonderful place to go and just relax.
There is so much more I could mention here, but it would be too long a post. So, when in Melbourne, pay a visit to the Dandenongs, its beauty and its history will not dissapoint you.
By far, my favourite place of all to visit is the William Rickett’s Sanctuary on Mount Dandenong Road is a natural forest area in which Rickett’s, a musician and naturalist, has sculptured in clay a number of Aboriginal figures and symbolic scenes. It is believed there are over 93 sculptures in total. From 1934 until his death in 1993, William Rickett continued to work on his masterpieces.
Puffing Billy, one of the Dandenongs most popular tourist attractions, leaves from Belgrave and travels 13 kilometres to Emerald Lake. This little train, loved by children of all shapes and sizes (yes, adults too!) is pulled by the only surviving locomotive that was designed for narrow guage tracks. The locomotive celebrated its Centenary in the year 2000.
Emerald LakeSilvan is a pretty township located in the Dandenongs, it has the annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival. This has been going on for 53 years now and growing larger in popularity by the year. The history of how the Tesselaar Tulip Farm came about can be read HERE. It is a wonderful place to go and just relax.
There is so much more I could mention here, but it would be too long a post. So, when in Melbourne, pay a visit to the Dandenongs, its beauty and its history will not dissapoint you.
