Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Tour

Puffing Billy Steam Railway traverses through the lush rainforest of Dandenong Ranges National Park. The trains were first operated in 1900 for the transportation of local agriculture and logging products. The railway consists of five stations, namely Belgrave, Menzies Creek, Emerald, Lakeside and Gembrook. A complete journey would take approximately 2 hours,  25 minutes of journey between each two stations on average. Despite the conundrum caused by the landslide in 1953, the railway’s gradually re-opened sections of its track over the years, thanks to the Victorian State Government and its Preservation Society. This has seen Puffing Billy gaining tremendous popularity with families all around the world. The steam trains kept their original steam engines dated back 1912, they slowly traverse through the lush Dandenong Ranges fern forest, experience the fragrance from the local flora and fern trees while enjoy the stunning scenery along the historic railway.

Puffing Billy Steam Train tickets:

One hour from Belgrave to Lakeside: AUD $ 42 adult / AUD $22 child (4-15 years old).

Yarra Valley Wine Tasting

Yarra Valley is one of the major wine producing regions in Australia. Its superior natural location, coupled with year-round cool climate and generous precipitation have made it home to more than 100 wineries, range from  family-run wineries span across multiple generations to internationally renowned vineyards, Yarra Valley is best known for its Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Recommended Wineries:

Domaine Chandon

Domaine Chandon is one of the most famous wineries in Yarra Valley, it has an alluring vineyard inspired by French horticulture, the French-concepted winery first opened in 1986 and belongs to the prestigious Moet & Chandon family. Domaine Chandon is best known for its sparkling wines. The magnificent vineyard, with its endless rows of grapevines and the still lake in the backdrop, making Domaine Chandon one of the most Instagrammable spots in Yarra Valley. . 

Domaine Chandon has a tasting fee of $25.

Oakridge

Oakridge was nominated as Australia’s best winery in 2012 by “The Age”, the term “Oakridge” originates from a ridge of oak trees planted at the front of the vineyard. At the cellar door, enjoy the panoramic views of the expansive vineyard while the aroma from wine waking up in your mouth.

Yarra Valley Cuisine

Yarra Valley is a gourmet paradise, many wineries have their own restaurants onsite, serving mostly modern Australian and Italian dishes, our guide will recommend restaurants based on your dietary preference. Savour the delicious food with fresh ingredients sourced directly from the valley.

Recommended restaurant:

Meletos

Meletos is best-known for its wood-fired pizzas, the restaurant makes incredible pizzas topped with fresh and organic ingredients sourced within Yarra Valley, it also serves various entrees and mains, making it one of the best choices for lunch.

Healesville and Emerald

There are also a number of great restaurants and brunch places in Healesville and Emerald, our friendly guide can recommend to you if interested.

Looking for the best dessert in Yarra Valley after a satisfying lunch? Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery makes a wide variety of chocolates, from exquisite handmade chocolates of different flavours to meter-long gigantic chocolate bars. If you like Easter chocolate eggs, you can find them here all year round. The chocolaterie frequently introduces new products with free tasting, the premium range includes chocolates made of cocoa imported from exotic locations, such as: Venezuela and Ghana, chocolate truffles and more;  you also get to see how sweets are made through the delicate chocolate crafting process onsite. Whereas the ice-creamery serves quality gelatos made in-house.

The chocolaterie features a gorgeous lawn that is great for relaxation and outdoors activities, kids love to run on the grass and kick a soccer ball with friends and family. Visitors will also be delighted by the beautiful scenery of endless green pasture and rolling hills in the distance.

Healesville Sanctuary is a wildlife park located in Healesville, right on the edge of Yarra Valley. It is home to many native and endangered Australian animals, range from mammals, reptiles, birds and nocturnal living creatures. At Healesville Sanctuary, get up close to cute wallabies and kangaroos, watch adorable koalas nibbling away at eucalyptus leaves; observe echidnas (also known as Spiny Anteater) crawling on the topsoil and sluggishly finding its mid-day snack; learn about the world’s 2nd largest living bird after ostrich – Emu and spot platypus swimming swiftly across the water. The footpaths within the zoo are shaded by dense gum trees and vegetations, it’s ideal for a good afternoon walk.

Healesville Sanctuary admission tickets:

Adult AUD $46 / Children (4-15 years old) AUD$ 23.

Free entry for children on weekends & public holidays.