Kinglake

Understand

The Yarra Valley is the region surrounding the Yarra River. The river originates approximately 240 km east of the Melbourne central business district and flows towards it and out into Port Phillip Bay. The name Yarra Valley is used in reference to the upper regions surrounding the Yarra River and generally does not encompass the lower regions including the city and suburban areas, where the topography flattens out, or the upper reaches which are in inaccessible bushland. Included in the Yarra Valley is the sub-region of the Upper Yarra Valley which encompasses the towns of the former Shire of Upper Yarra in the catchment area upstream of and including Woori Yallock. The Yarra Valley is a popular day-trip and tourist area, featuring a range of natural features and agricultural produce, as well as the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail. The Yarra Valley is host to a thriving wine-growing industry. The area's relatively cool climate makes it particularly suited to the production of high-quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine.

Getting there

By car The easiest way to get in to the Yarra Valley from Melbourne is by using the M3 Eastlink and the B360 Maroondah Highway. The B360 runs right through the middle of the Yarra Valley for most of the accessible bits.

By train Belgrave and Hurstbridge stations are the terminus of the namesake lines from the city. You can also take the train to Lilydale and continue by bicycle on the rail trail (see below). To get further afield to Healesville, you can take a train from the centre of Melbourne to Lilydale, and then there is the regular bus service 685 (operated by McKenzies) which runs to Healesville Sanctuary via Coldstream, Yarra Glen, the TarraWarra Museum of Art, and Healesville town centre. Night bus 965 connects Healesville with Lilydale and operates on Friday nights and Saturday nights. Bus route 684 between Ringwood (in the Eastern suburbs), Lilydale and Alexandra stops in Healesville, however due to its infrequent operation may be less useful. Although it is not directly connected to Melbourne, for public transport purposes Healesville is considered part of 'Zone Two', which was Zone Three until zone reorganization, the outer-eastern transport zone, and it only costs around $10 for an all-day zone 1 and 2 rail and bus ticket.

Getting around

By cycling The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail (40 km) is a great way to explore Yarra Valley.

Ride Time Bikes offers bike rental from $30/day. Pickup from Lilydale (next to train station) or Yarra Junctions. Reservations required. Great cycling country all around the Yarra Valley; catch the train to Hurstbridge then climb up to Kinglake via St.Andrews (great Saturday market) then along the ridge to Toolangi; down to Healesville for lunch. Great food at Healesville; fine coffee at Yarra Glen. Or try the mountain bike routes through Smiths Gully (fine coffee and cake at the store) and Sugarloaf areas; or climb up past Mt Everard to Kinglake (steep in places) and then down into Dixons Creek and then onto Yarra Glen.

See

In Healesville, you can visit the Healesville Sanctuary, a world-renowned wildlife park. The sanctuary is provides rehabilitation facilities for injured wildlife, breeding programs for several endangered species, and aims to educate the public about the unique and beautiful wildlife of Australia. The TarraWarra Museum of Art has a wonderful collection of early Modernist Australian paintings and changing contemporary works in a location with sweeping views of the adjoining TarraWarra vineyards. Near Kinglake, Kinglake National Park is on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range. From the picnic area, you can take the 700-m walk to the waterfall lookout platform. The 500-m Lyrebird Circuit Walk, which also leaves from the picnic area, passes some of the oldest trees in the park and is designed for people with limited mobility. From the waterfall lookout, there's the 7.8-km Running Creek walk, which is more challenging and goes through gullies and new native bush. Wombelano Falls is a stunning hidden gem just north of Kinglake. It's not much of a walk to get here, and the walk is pretty easy.

Do

Things to do

Hot air balloon flights Vineyard hopping Browse the Yarra Glen Sunday market, one of the local farmer's markets or the Healesville car boot markets behind the main street shops on the first Sunday of each month. Play golf at one of the quality courses Lilydale Airfield offers light plane sightseeing trips, flying experience, and flying lessons. Nearby Coldstream Airfield, operated by Yarra Valley Flight Training, offers similar services. Take a ride on the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway from Healesville Have a BBQ at Sugarloaf Reservoir At Healesville Glass Blowing Studio in Healesville, you can watch the glass blowers at work, take a lesson or buy some of their finished product. Blue Lotus Water Garden near Yarra Junction features an assortment of specially bred lilies, lotus flowers and other water plants. Includes a cafe, giftshop and nursery. Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery and Skywalk. Near Warburton, at the foot of Donna Buang, a short walk that loops through the rainforest and a skywalk allowing you to stand metres in the air, still only halfway up the mammoth trees. Puffing Billy Railway: ride this historic railway from Belgrave to Emerald, Lakeside and Gembrook. Lysterfield Lake Helicopter to Yarra Valley, ☏ +61 3 9063 3440. Fly by helicopter to the Yarra Valley. Helicopter tours include a private landing at your winery of choice, wine tasting and degustation lunch. Destinations include Balgownie Estate, Levantine Hill, Hubert Estate, Zonzo Estate and Meletos Restaurant. (updated Jul 2023) Shepherds Track near Kinglake includes steep gradients and obstacles, and is only suitable for Downhill or Enduro bikes. Yarra Valley Railway is a tourist railway that operates from Healesville on weekends and public holidays. Maroondah Reservoir Park is about 5 km east of Healesville town centre.

Eat

Great coffee and muffins/croissants (or real hamburgers) at Smiths Gully store. A must for a little alternate, healthy eating is the Bodhi Tree Cafe on the far side of the township, opposite the Giant Steps Winery. Usually on Friday and Saturday nights this eatery hosts live music with local artists. Worth the effort!

Drink & nightlife

Helen's Hill Winery: A family-owned vineyard producing fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You can sample their wines in a Cellar Door that attaches itself via massive glass panes overlooking the Barrel Room. The wines are excellent value and high quality. Onsite is also a superb restaurant with one of the best views over the entrance to the Yarra Valley. Kid-friendly, too. Oakridge Wines, 864 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream +61 39738 9900: beginning as a family company Oakridge makes wine from grapes grown on the rich, red, volcanic soils of the valley. A small restaurant with views across the estate serves meals adapted for the seasons and local produce. Tokar Estate: further along Maroondah Highway