ROAD TRIPPING THROUGH RANGES

There are endless possibilities for a journey once bags are packed and the family are on the road, and there are plenty of opportunities for a road trip in the Yarra Ranges. With the wonders of the Dandenong Ranges, Upper Yarra and the Yarra Valley all to choose from, however, it can be hard to figure out where to start!

Perhaps the trip could begin in the morning in the Dandenong Ranges, less than an hour from Melbourne. There are a number of cafes and bakeries as you snake your way up through the Hills where you can grab a coffee and breakfast. If you are early enough, you could make it to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and the National Rhododendron Garden in Olinda while the dewdrops, or some misty early morning fog before the temperature rises. It will be chilly though, so bring a nice warm coat or jacket!

Throughout the morning, you could then head up Mount Dandenong, and take a look at the scenery from the summit. Burke’s Lookout is a great place to stop.

Make your descent back towards the suburbs through Montrose and explore the local businesses, maybe to grab a souvenir or a spot of lunch in towns like Croydon, Lilydale, Chirnside Park or Mooroolbark.

If the mercury remains low, chances are Mt Donna Buang could have a sheet of snow atop the summit, so feel free to have snow chains and a toboggan packed.

As the day begins to wind down, a spot of dinner and a glass of lovely local wine can’t go amiss, so take your pick of any of the abundance of wineries throughout Seville, Wandin East, Gruyere, Coldstream, Yering, Healesville and Yarra Glen. Perhaps it may be all a bit too much to fit in one day, so why not find accommodation in local hotels, motels or caravan parks and really take your time to enjoy everything the Yarra Ranges has to offer.