Dandenong Ranges Walking and Wine Tour
Day Tour
Adults $140.00
Description
Victoria's Dandenong Ranges, around an hours drive from Melbourne, have a unique English tradition in it's hill top villages surrounded with beautiful native forest environs. The tall mountain ash and charming fern gullies, streams and waterfalls, and towering copses of tree ferns, represent some of Victoria's best loved forest scenery and walking. We combine superb walking through the ranges with a picnic lunch in one of it's best garden's and then drop down to the Yarra Valley for an afternoon of indulgent winetasting after our excercise.
The day begins with an 8am pick up from central Melbourne before we drive out to the Dandenong ranges, roughly an hour from the city to the start of our walk. We'll take a morning hike on established trails through the heart of the forest, surrounding by towering trees and the giant tree ferns that are characteristic of this area. The Mountain Ash forests provide the perfect habitat for wildlife such as the Superb Lyrebird, Ring-tailed and Brush-tailed Possums, Treecreepers, Kookaburras and Bell birds, colourful Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots can all be seen. The beautiful and elusive Blue-winged Parrot has also been sighted in Sherbrooke Forest. There is also an opportunity to hand feed the colourful rosellas and cocktaoos inhabiting Sherbrooke Forest at Grant's picnic ground.
After our hike we head to the National Rhododendron Gardens in the Dandenong's for a gourmet picnic lunch from a superb viewpoint overlooking the Yarra Valley. The gardens are a delight and offer many seasonal contrasts. Summer is a great time to wander the cool rainforest and picnic amid the shade of the Cherry lawn. Autumn is ablaze with colour as the deciduous trees turn extravagant shades of red, yellow and orange. Spring is glorious with Cherry trees, magnolias and Rhododendrons in full flower. The Dandenongs is renowned for its English gardenscapesand the English association with the area is carried through to restaurants and tea houses as well as accommodation styles and themes.
The hiking in the Dandenongs is suitable for people of reasonable fitness and we usually walk for 2 hours total,approx 6 km. Please note there are uphill sections and stairs so you should have good mobility, though the distance can be varied to accommodate the needs of the group. You should have comfortable walking shoes to join this trip and it's advisable to have a light jacket in the event of cold weather or rain.
After lunch we head into the nearby Yarra Valley for wine tasting and visiting our favourite vineyards. We have chosen small, intimate cellar doors away from the Coach tours which visit the larger wineries so that you can have a more personal and enjoyable experience. The Yarra Valley is internationally recognized as a leading cool climate wine region and also the home to fine produce. We begin our winetasting at Elmswood Estate where the views over the Yarra valley are simply breathtaking. Next stop is the rustic cellar door at Seville Estate, before we head further into valley for a delicious cheese tasting session at the Yarra Valley Dairy. Last stop is Coombe Farm the which was once home to the famous Dame Nellie Melba. We then return back to Melbourne aiming to be back in the city for 5:30.
In the event of extreme weather that prevents us from walking we will arrange alternative activities in the area, such as a ride on Puffing Billy railway or visits to local places of interest such as tours at Domaine Chandon, the Tarrawarra museum. The winetasting will be unaffected.
Included In Price
* Return transfers from downtown Melbourne
* Guided hike through the forests of The Dandenongs
* Morning tea to keep your energy up
* Gourmet picnic lunch to be enjoyed in Dandenong's gardens
* Experienced and informative guide
* Entry fees to the National Rhodedendron Gardens
* An afternoon of Wine tasting at our favourite boutique wineries
* Small personal groups with a maximum of 10 people.
Location
Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia
Price Valid For
Per person
Booking Notes
Operates: Fridays
Departs: 8:00am
Returns: 5:30pm
Bookings essential.
Departure Time
Departs Every Friday at 8:00am
Session Length
9.5 hours
Numbers on the day
Minimum group size is 2
Maximum group size of 10.
Weather Exceptions
Contact operator in case of bad weather.
