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

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CHAPTER 11 . MELBOURNE
Atlantic salmon risotto, linguini with prawns, and Cajun chicken. The restaurant
has a few vegetarian selections and a roaring log fire in winter.
232 Ridge Rd., Mt. Dandenong. & 03/9751 2033. Main courses A$16–A$19 (US$10–US$12). DC, MC, V.
Daily 10am–10pm.
YARRA VALLEY
61km (40 miles) E of Melbourne
The Yarra Valley is a wine-growing region east of Melbourne. It’s dotted with villages,
historic houses, gardens, crafts shops, antiques centers, and restaurants, as
well as dozens of wineries. There are some good bushwalks around here and the
Healesville Sanctuary is one of the best places in Australia to see native animals.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE McKenzie’s Bus Lines (& 03/9853 6264) operates a bus
service from Lilydale Railway Station to Healesville. (Catch a train from Melbourne’s
Spencer Street Station to Lilydale; the trip takes about an hour.) Buses
connect with trains roughly 12 times a day; call for exact connection times.
If you’re driving, pick up a map of the area from the Royal Automotive Club
of Victoria (& 03/9790 3333) in Melbourne. Maps here are free if you’re a member
of an auto club in your home country, but remember to bring along your
membership card. Alternatively, you can pick up a map at the tourist office. Take
the Maroondah Highway from Melbourne to Lilydale and on to Healesville. The
trip takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
VISITOR INFORMATION Pick up details on attractions and lodging at the
Yarra Valley Visitor Information Centre, Old Court House, Harker Street,
Healesville, VIC 3777 (& 03/5962 2600; fax 03/5962 2040). It’s open daily from
9am to 5pm.
EXPLORING THE VALLEY
There are three principal roads in the valley: the Melba Highway, Maroondah
Highway, and Myers Creek Road, which together form a triangle. Within the triangle
are three smaller roads, the Healesville–Yarra Glen Road, Old Healesville
Road, and Chum Creek Road, which all access wineries. Most people start their
tour of the Yarra Valley from Lilydale and take in several cellar-door tastings at
vineyards along the route.
Balloon Aloft (& 1800/028 568 in Australia) offers dawn balloon rides over
the wineries for A$195 (US$127) for adults and A$130 (US$85) for children over
8. The flight includes a champagne breakfast. Peregrine Adventures (& 03/9662
2800; www.peregrine.net.au) also has balloon flights over the valley, with free
pickup from Adelaide for A$195 (US$127) on weekends and A$175 (US$114)
on weekdays. Peregrine can also arrange accommodations.
Healesville Sanctuary Finds Forget about seeing animals in cages—this
preserve is a great place to spot native animals in almost natural surroundings.
You can see wedge-tailed eagles, dingoes, koalas, wombats, reptiles, and more,
all while strolling through the peppermint-scented gum forest, which rings with
the chiming of bellbirds. Sir Colin McKenzie started the sanctuary in 1921 as a
center to preserve endangered species and educate the public. There’s a gift shop,
a cafe serving light meals, and picnic grounds.
Badger Creek Rd., Healesville. & 03/5957 2800. Fax 03/5957 2870. www.zoo.org.au. Admission A$16
(US$10) adults, A$12 (US$7.80) concession, A$8.10 (US$5.25) children, A$44 (US$29) family, up to 4 kids.
Daily 9am–5pm. Train from Flinders Street Station to Lilydale, then bus no. 685 to the sanctuary.