Overview
Hide away in spellbinding fern glades and forests, amid rugged bushland and perfect blooms, and encounter iconic Australian animals in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
Towering trees and breathtaking views
Venture into the national and state parks to behold the signature towering mountain ash and dripping tree ferns, dramatic waterfalls and serene lakes.
Stop at scenic lookouts for views of farmland and vines, and the evocative forests. Celebrate the proximity of the Yarra Ranges National Park to Melbourne.
Go with the flow
Waterfalls abound in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Lace up your boots and wander through tree and fern-lined paths to cascading falls. It's an easy 30 minute walk to Sherbrooke Falls along the loop trail or hike out to La La Falls near Warburton. For more of a challenge, try the Cumberland Walk. The reward for two hours on this trail is the chance to peep two waterfalls – Cora Lynn and Cumberland Falls.
Postcard-perfect gardens
Swap the bush for manicured nature in both public and private gardens. Witness the riot of colour as thousands of native and rare buds herald spring around the region. Soak up the sights at Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, meander along the linked paths of Alfred Nicholas Gardens and take in the splendour of the cool-climate Cloudehill Gardens.
Wild about wildlife
Be captivated by the mimicry of a Lyrebird or the waddle of a wombat as you make your way through swathes of unspoiled forest; a haven for native birds and animals.
Get up close to a menagerie of native creatures in walk-through exhibits and 'meet the keeper' sessions at the famous Healesville Sanctuary. Watch as sick and orphaned animals receive care at the Healesville Animal Hospital.
