It’s all in the valley

By Kath Gannaway
“IT’S years since I’ve been to…Warburton…Healesville…Yarra Glen!!!”
This isn’t your international, interstate, or even bayside tourist speaking – it’s the locals, as we like to call ourselves.
Well, it’s our turn to become tourists in our own towns, mountain ranges and valleys, and we’re happy to rub shoulders and share our favourite places with visitors.
Whether you’re from a thousand miles away or just a block away – discovering a spectacular vista, magnificent winery, friendly cafe, or the exhilaration of floating high above the valley patchwork in a balloon, is something worth sharing.
Autumn, including Easter and the school holidays, is a perfect time to plan a weekend getaway and to support local business people who are shouting from the rooftops: “We’re open for business.”
The Melba, Maroondah andWarburton highways provide the links for a weekend of discovery which has lots to offer foodies, families and friends out for a bit of sight-seeing, relaxation and fun.
Wherever you go in the Yarra Valley, you will find excellent cafes, restaurants, take-aways, wineries and bars. So, whether it’s a leisurely breakfast/brunch, a picnic, dinner or group function, there is plenty of choice. But, there’s more.
Markets are in profusion across the entire valley and on any weekend you can browse and buy at farmers, craft and community markets.
Yarra Glen’s antique and collectable haunts are a boon for treasure hunters and some of the Yarra Valley’s best boutique and larger wineries are scattered along the Melba Highway and its byways.
Scoot back down the Melba Highway and along St Huberts Road, or head straight across the Old Healesville Road to Healesville. The main street is dotted with shops selling designer clothing and jewellery, specialty home wares and gift shops. Think: “Spoil myself”; or take along a gift list and get in some early birthday and Christmas shopping.
Healesville Sanctuary, Hedgend Maze and Healesville Tourist Railway cater for the family. Pack a picnic and let the kids run free on the play equipment at one of the beautiful parks.
Don Road through to Don Valley and the Warburton Highway is one of the areas best-kept secrets. The drive through tall timbers and tree-fern gullies crosses the “bendy bridge”, before winding its way through farmland, past the Archery Park – another family venue worth exploring – to the Home Hotel at Launching Place.
The Warburton Highway from Wandin through to Warburton takes in a number of smaller townships, each with its own character.
The Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail shadows the highway, taking in the townships of Mt Evelyn, Wandin, Seville, Woori Yallock, Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Wesburn and Millgrove and is an ideal way to discover – on foot, bicycle or horse – the unique characteristics of each township.
Warburton township has a real holiday feel, and it’s well worth staying overnight to really relax and enjoy the special combination of natural attractions, cafes and cultural events.
Check out the program of films and live events at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre. Take a walk along the Yarra River walking track or browse through the book, antique and alternative-lifestyle shops.
Whether you are local or a visitor, a weekend break in the Yarra Valley will provide a much-needed boost to the local businesses, which have been effectively put on hold throughout February. It’s also an enjoyable way to stop for a breather, relax and discover all the Yarra Valley has to offer.
For further information: Yarra Valley Visitor Information Centre, 5962 2600 or www.visityarravalley.com.au; Warburton Highway Tourism, 5966 9600 or www.warburtononline.com ; Yarra Valley and The Dandenongs Marketing www.yarravalleynow.com.au.