Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 11 . MELBOURNE
over the Yarra Valley. A tearoom is open every day during spring and on weekends
at other times. Visitors flock here in summer for the glorious walks, and
again in autumn when the leaves are turning.
The Georgian Rd., Olinda. & 03/9751 1980. Admission: Sept 1–Nov 30 A$6.70 (US$4.35) adults, A$2.20
(US$1.40) children 10–16, A$13.50 (US$8.80) family of 5; Dec 1–Aug 31 A$5.60 (US$3.60) adults, A$2.20
(US$1.40) children, A$13.50 (US$8.80) family. Daily 10am–4:30pm. Closed Christmas Day. Train to Croydon
and then bus no. 688 to the gardens, or train to Belgrave and bus no. 694.
Tesselaar’s Bulbs and Flowers There are literally tens of thousands of flowers
on display here, putting on a flamboyantly colorful show in the spring
(Sept–Oct). Expect to see a dazzling variety of tulips, daffodils, rhododendrons,
azaleas, fuchsias, and ranunculi. Bulbs are on sale at discount prices at other times.
357 Monbulk Rd., Silvan. & 03/9737 9811. Admission during tulip festival (approx. Sept 12–Oct 11), A$12
(US$7.80) adults, children under 16 admitted free if accompanied by an adult; free for everyone rest of the
year. During tulip festival daily 10am–5pm; rest of year Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm, Sat–Sun 1–5pm. Take the train
to Lilydale and then bus no. 679.
William Ricketts Sanctuary This wonderful garden, set in a forest of
mountain ash, features clay figures representing the Aboriginal Dreamtime.
The sculptures were created over the lifetime of sculptor William Ricketts, who
died in 1993 at the age of 94. The garden encompasses fern gullies and waterfalls
spread out over 13 hectares (32 acres), with the sculptures occupying .8
hectares (2 acres).
Mt. Dandenong Tourist Rd., Mt. Dandenong.& 03/9751 1300. www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. Admission A$5.20
(US$3.40) adults, A$2 (US$1.30) children 10–16, A$12.50 (US$8.15) families of 5. A$4.20 (US$2.75) concessions.
Daily 10am–4:30pm. Closed Christmas and days of total fire ban. Train to Croydon then bus no. 688 to
the sanctuary.
FOR TRAIN BUFFS
Puffing Billy Railway Kids For almost a century, Puffing Billy steam railway
has been chugging over a 13km (8-mile) track from Belgrave to Emerald Lake.
Passengers take trips on open carriages and are treated to lovely views as the train
passes through forests and fern gullies and over a National Trust–classified
wooden trestle bridge. Trips take around an hour each way. Trains leave at 10:30,
11:15am, noon, and 2:30pm on weekdays; and at 10:30, 11:45am, 1:30, and
3:15pm on Saturday and Sunday. A further stretch of track to Gembrook was
opened in 1998. Daily trips to Gembrook take an extra 45 minutes and cost
A$25 (US$16) for adults, A$14 ($9.10) for children, and A$72 (US$47) for
families. Night trains also run on occasional Saturday nights.
Belgrave Station, Belgrave. & 03/9754 6800 for 24-hr. recorded information. www.puffingbilly.com.au.
Admission A$18 (US$12) adults, A$10 (US$6.50) children 4–16, A$51 (US$33) families of 5. Operates daily
except Christmas. Train from Flinders Street Station in Melbourne to Belgrave; the Puffing Billy station is a
short walk away.
WHERE TO DINE
Churinga Café CAFE This is a nice place for a quick lunch or morning or
afternoon tea. It has nice gardens and is just across from the William Ricketts
Sanctuary. You can get everything here from curries to traditional British fare.
Devonshire tea costs A$6 (US$3.90).
1381 Mt. Dandenong Tourist Rd., Mt. Dandenong. & 03/9751 1242. Main courses A$13–A$14
(US$8.45–US$9.10). AE, DC, MC, V. Sat–Wed 10:30am–4:30pm.
Wild Oak Café MODERN AUSTRALIAN For good home cooking you
can’t beat this cozy cafe. The food includes the likes of chargrilled steak, smoked