Victoria Country, Melbourne and Suburbs

 

Galleries / Jewellers / Gifts Gardens & Nurseries Restaurants & Café's Things to do in the Dandenong's click "Restaurants Nearby   Olinda TOUCHSTONE GALLERY This Craftmark Australia accredited gallery sells the work of over 250 prominent Australia craftspeople. Included are glass, jewellery, woodwork, pottery, batik and collage - all at "out of town" prices. Open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5.30pm Payment facilities M/C, Visa, Amex, Eft pos e-mail:                                      more>www.olindavillage.com.au/shop.html    Tel:(03)9751 1715
Gardens & Nurseries Olinda CLOUDEHILL NURSERY. A must see garden made at the top of The Dandenongs where a maze of stone walls and jewel like garden rooms are set within woodlands of magnificent and historic, cool climate trees. The Restaurant Chatterley's, a fine food destination with views into the heart of the garden and to the mountains beyond. e-mail:info@cloudehill.com.au   more>www.cloudehill.com.au   Tel: (03)9751 1009 / 9751 0168   Flower Patch  Large Range of Fairies, Dragons, Garden Ornament to suit all Gardens & a great variety of Fresh, Silk & Dry Flowers for every occation,specialise in that perfect wedding. e-mail:flowerpatch2004@yahoo.com.au   more>Flower Patch              Tel: (03) 9751 2722   Mt. Dandenong SKY HIGH MAZE  The secrete garden is ideal for weddings and private functions. The Sky High garden maze is constructed from native flora. The contemporary cafe' / bistro are available for weekend breakfast. A world function centre - a wonderful  spot for corporate functions, family celebrations or wedding receptions.  Open 7 days e-mail:info@skyhighmtdandenong.com.au   more>www.skyhighmtdandenong.com.au   Tel: (03) 9751 0443
Restaurants & Café's Mt Dandenong SKY HIGH RESTAURANT  Viewing platform with stunning views that sweep across Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillip Bay, to the You Yangs on the Southern horizon.  Open 7 days   e-mail:info@skyhighmtdandenong.com.au    more>www.skyhighmtdandenong.com.au   Tel:(03) 9751 0443     LADY HAWKE CAFE'  On the majestic winding mountain road that is Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, nestled amongst half an acre of tall trees, ferns and flowering shrubs, set on a private property in a converted 1920’s homestead, Lady Hawke Café B&B awaits your arrival. Serving up an ever-changing banquet of modern Middle Eastern & European foods and great coffee, Trudy Beckwith and Max Wagner are proud to be of service e-mail:ladyhawkecafe@bigpond.com   more>LADY HAWKE CAFE'   Tel: (03)9751 1104   Olinda (Mt Dandenong) CLOUDEHILL RESTAURANT  The restaurant Chatterley's enjoys views both into the heart of the garden and to the Yarra Valley and the mountains beyond. The chairs are comfortable, the surroundings relaxed and the food and wine is seriously good. There is also an extensive terrace beside Chatterley's for alfresco dining on those glorious summery days the Dandenongs are renowned for. e-mail:info@cloudehill.com.au   more>www.cloudehill.com   Tel: 9751 0168  /  9751 1009   CUCKOO RESTAURANT  is located in Olinda: Lunch: Mon - Sat / 12 noon - 3pm Lunch: Sunday / 11.30am - 3pm,  Dinner: Fri - Sat / 7pm - midnight,  Dinner: Sunday / 6.30pm - 11pm Afternoon Tea: Sat - Sun / 3.30pm - 5.30pm,  Coffee & Cakes: Mon - Fri / 10.30am - 4.30pm e-mail:info@cuckoorestaurant.com.au   more>www.cuckoorestaurant.com.au   Tel:(03)9751 1003   SNOOTY FOX RESTAURANT  In the heart of Victoria's Dandenong Ranges, Snooty Fox Restaurant is located in charming Olinda, a busy tourist destination on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road.  Boasting a warm inviting atmosphere and great facilities, Snooty Fox Restaurant is the ideal venue for lunch or dinner while in the area, with reasonably priced meals and great friendly service. e-mail:enquiries@snootyfox.com.au   more>www.snootyfox.com.au   Tel:(03)9751 1176   Warratina Lavender Farm is situated one hour from Melbourne at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, in the beautiful Yarra Valley. A family business run by Annemarie and Peter Manders, Warratina takes pride in producing home-grown lavender products. Warratina boasts acres of lavender where visitors are invited to stroll along the different rows of species, breathe the fresh country air, and enjoy the display gardens and views of distant hills across the Yarra Ranges. Refreshments and a selection of products are available from the gift store in the Lavender Cottage Tea Rooms. Families and groups are welcome to enjoy the picnic areas and disabled facilities are provided with available coach parking near all facilities. e-mail: enquiries@warratinalavender.com.au    more>www.warratinalavender.com.au   Tel: (03) 5964 4650     DELVIN HEALTH RETREAT  Delvin Health Retreat is a boutique Retreat in the Dandenong Ranges one hour east of the city of Melbourne. Set on one and a half acres of tranquil gardens, it is a two story house of seven bedrooms and six bathrooms with a guest lounge and guest dining room.   e-mail:michael@delvin.com.au   more>www.delvin.com.au   Tel: (03)9751 1800   Sassafras (Mt Dandenong) FLIPPIN' PANCAKES RESTAURANT  Anything bt just pancakes.  We have a wide array if inspirations.  Cheese and Chive Garlic Bread , Soup:Cream of Pumpkin. Entree: Thai Red Curry Prawns with Hokkien Noodles, Mains:King Pork Cutlets on Rice with Plum Sauce, Hungarian Goulash with Savoury Rice, Veal Scallopini, Peppered Eye Fillet Flamed with Brandy, Fish of the Day, Crispy Skin Duckling with Orange Sauce, English Style Steak & Kidney Pie, Rack of Lamb Bumble Bee - Honey, Spaghetti Marinara, Orange & Cajun Marinated Lamb Fillets e-mail: info@flippinpancakes.com.au   more>www.flippinpancakes.com.au   Tel:(03) 9755 1466   HOUSE OF COFFEE   Everyone gets to enjoy delicious, high quality coffee.   e-mail: houseofcoffee@bigpond.com  more>www.houseofcoffee.com.au Tel:(03) 9755 1100
	Parks Victoria manages one of the most diverse and representative parks networks in the world comprising 3.96 million hectares of some of Victoria's largest and most undisturbed ecosystems. The magnificent diversity of parks includes alps, mallee, heathland, wet forests, dry forests, grassland, inland waters and wetlands, coast and intertidal shores and marine environments.   more>www.parkweb.vic.gov.au     Tel: (03) 8627 4699
Things to do in the Dandenong's
Snow Skiing on Lake Mountain One hour drive from Alpine House
Victorian Equestrian Centre Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd, Upper Beaconsfield. Tel: 5944 3090 One hour trail ride with views of Kardinia Reservoir and Melbourne.  Less experienced riders can have a 30 minute indoor riding lesson prior to ride    TRAIN RIDES Puffing Billy Puffing Billy Station, Belgrave Tel: (03) 9754 6800  www.puffingbilly.com.au Ride on a century-old steam train along the original Belgrave to Gembrook mountain track and enjoy forest scenery and panoramic views. Indulge in a meal in a first class carriage or take the kids to one of the regular Thomas the Tank Engine shows.   Wineries Five Oaks 60 Aitken Road, Seville 3139 Tel: (03) 5964 3704 www.fiveoaks.com.au Established in 1978, this vineyard was producing award winning wines even before they produced their own label. Won over 40 awards in Australian wine shows since 1998, including Best Red Wine in the World at London International Wine Show. Elmswood Estate 75 Monbulk-Seville Rd, Wandin 3139 Tel: (03) 5964 3015 www.elmswoodestate.com.au A good starting point from the Dandenongs, this will likely be the first one you get to. They have spectacular views over the Silvan reservoir. And while the winery is only a few years old, the vines have been supplying other winemakers reserve vintages for the last nineteen years. Cabernet Merlot won awards recently. Ainsworth Estate 110 Ducks Lane, Seville, Victoria, 3139 Tel: (03) 5964 4711 www.ainsworth-estate.com.au Progressive, award winning winemaker with a cellar door so successful they are open seven days a week. Awards include Best Red Wine in the World at London International Wine Show. Seville Estate 65 Linwood Road, Seville, 3139 Tel:(03) 5964 2622 www.sevilleestate@bigpond.com Established 30 years, Seville Estate was one of the Yarra Valley's first wineries. The winemakers follow a deliberately labour intensive process to ensure each wines' individual characters, which results in delivering award winning wines. McWilliam's Lilydale Vineyards 45 Davross Court, Seville, 3139 Tel: (03) 5964 2016  Magnificent views from the terrace. A good place to stop for a meal in their unique indoor BBQ restaurant or bring your own lunch to enjoy in the pergola on the lawn. Multi-award winning wines Morgan's Vineyards Tel: (03) 5964 4807 morganvineyards@bigpond.com Originally planted in 1971, this vineyard is also one of the oldest in the Yarra Valley, although the cellar doors only opened for their own hand picked boutique wines in early 2002. Opposite Lilydale Vineyards. Roger recommends his cellar door for anyone who'd likes a good wine and a friendly chat   MOTORCYCLE RIDES Harley Rides Ph: 9755 2784 Ride through the ranges on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Fab has 28 years riding experience and offers a door to door service   HOT AIR BALLOONING Global Ballooning Tel:1800 627 661 www.globalballooning.com.au One hour flight over Yarra Valley wineries finishing with breakfast at Fergusson winery Go Wild Ballooning Tel: (03) 9890 0339 or 0418 395867 www.gowildballooning.com.au One hour flight over the beautiful Yarra Valley followed by a champagne breakfast. Enjoy the rest of the day touring the Yarra Valley and using the complimentary vouchers included in the flight package   GOLF Olinda Golf Course Tel: 9751 1254 www.olindagolf.com.au Claiming to be the Victoria's best winter golf course, Olinda Golf Course offers expansive views over Silvan dam, the Yarra Valley and neighbouring mountain ranges. The hilly terrain is a test of both accuracy and stamina, so be prepared for a challenge. After your game of golf enjoy a refreshment at the cafe/restaurant/bar.   WALKS Walking Trail Map Maps are available at most restaurants and cafe's Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd via Burwood Hwy. From here you can take a number of walks including the well known 1000 steps and the Kokoda Memorial Track. Also recommended is the Living Bush Nature Trail. One Tree Hill Picnic Ground   Lord Somers Rd via One Tree Hill Rd. Grants Picnic Ground Monbulk Rd via Belgrave. Features a number of short walks including the Hardy Gully Nature Trail and the Margaret Lester Forest Track, which is designed for people in wheelchairs.