dotheyarravalley.com.au

A Sweet Experience!

If you like great cafes, then you will love Three Sugars. Brian Gauchi setup the cafe about seven years ago and it quickly became one of the most popular cafes in the Yarra Valley. It’s easy to see why. The atmosphere is relaxed, comfortable and cosy. The staff are friendly and the service is fast.

As for the food…..they make some of the most delicious pies, cakes and muffins you will find anywhere. According to Brian the pumpkin spinach ricotta pies and the open baked pies “really rock!” They do more than rock, they make a dotheyarravalley editors mouth start salivating just remembering how good they are!

Being somewhat of a connoisseur of  Chai Lattes, I was delighted when my Chai arrived accompanied by a small cup of honey. (See video) It’s the little touches like this that make the difference between an average cafe and a great cafe. And Three Sugars is definitely the later!

Watch our teaser video below:

Shop 6 / 3389 Warburton Highway Warburton VIC 3799

(03) 5966 9521

There’s no doubt about it, this is truly a unique attraction.

As you drive into Healesville from Melbourne you will see a large yellow banner on the side of the road that says, “Heritage Rail, Trolley Rides Today.” As far as we know, this is the only ride of its type anywhere in Australia.

It’s difficult to describe this attraction because some will love it, while others have been heard to say, “is that all there is!” Anyway here’s our honest and fair description of the experience.

After buying your tickets (see below for prices) from one of the friendly volunteers in the heritage listed Healesville Railway Station you wait on the platform or poke around the cafe until the next trolley departs. Trolleys depart every 30 minutes.

Here’s how their brochure describes the journey…”Leaving the Healesville Station, the line traverses the Yarra Glen-Kinglake Road and skirts the local racecourse. The track then bridges the Watts River before commencing the climb to the Donovans Road Overbridge. A “one in forty” climb beginning on Devil’s Bend is completed by a trip through the 1889 brick tunnel and descent into the valley at the rear of the Tarrawarra Estate. We then reverse and return to the Healesville Station. 30 minutes round trip and 9km.”

Saying it’s a round trip could give the impression that this track is a loop. It’s not. You travel along the track up a bit of a hill, go through a tunnel, stop at a sign that says “stop” and then go back the same way you came. That’s the “no-spin” version of the trip. Here’s the ad agency version, “the ride….rural homesteads, an eagle’s nest, and a willow plantation for cricket bat manufacturing are intermixed with views across the Yarra River and flood plains making it an historic and scenic trip for all ages.”

Here’s the bottom line. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush you should buy a cheap Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast and take the Superman ride at Movieworld. In fact, if you have recently been on a theme park holiday then you will definitely need to make a mental adjustment to enjoy this experience. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. We loved the ride, but we loved it because it’s everything the theme parks aren’t – raw and quaint and uniquely Australian. And just so you don’t get a sore bottom from the rawness of the trolley seat, you even get to pick your own cushion from a big cage of cushions. You don’t get that at the theme parks! Watch our teaser video below…..

	Adults – $10 Children – $8 Concession – $8 Family (2+2) – $28		Sundays & Public Holidays School Holidays – Wednesday – Sunday Departure every hour from 10am – 4pm Group bookings anytime by request
	Bookings 5962 2490

Riverstone Winery is located just off the Maroondah Highway next to the Yarra River in Coldstream, RiverStone Estate produces quality wines and we are very partial to their desert wines. The Semillon Botrytis and Tokay are a real treat and here’s a tip right from the outset. Put a bottle of their Tokay in the freezer. Because of the high alcohol content it will not freeze but becomes a syrup that you can drizzle over your favourite desert. As Lola Berry would say, “Yumo!”

The Estate restaurant has a modern Australian menu with a focus on relaxed dining. Guests can choose from a range of appetisers and mains including the dinosaur T-bone steak, Venison, Barramundi or Kangaroo are just some of the choices. They have childrens meals and some of the most delicious cakes and deserts this side of the Black Spur. They also cater for weddings, parties, corporate functions and social clubs.

Tastings are free and you can sample their wines whilst enjoying an antipasto platter in front of one of the most spectacular views in the Yarra Valley.

Riverstone Estate has recently opened 4 rooms offering Bed & Breakfast, which is perfect if you are attending a function at the restaurant or would just like to stay and enjoy the peace of the Yarra Valley. Riverstone is just down the road from Rochford, so if you are planning to attend one of their outdoor concerts, Riverstone is a perfect place to spend the night.

Take a walk in some of the most beautiful rainforest you will see anywhere in Australia.

Just past Warburton at the junction of Mount Donna Buang Road and the Acheron Way, you will find one of the Yarra Valleys hidden gems – The Warburton Rainforest Gallery. The Gallery has two attractions.  The first is a 15m high, 40 metre long aerial walkway named the ‘Skywalk’ that is one of only three in Australia. The second attraction is a boardwalk that descends into the Myrtle Beech Rainforest leading you past the beautiful, but oddly named Cement Creek.

This is not a long walk by any standards. It’s only about 350 metres around the loop track, so if you are a bush walker looking for a workout then this will not satisfy. This is probably why Parks Victoria have appropriately called this a forest “gallery”.

Here’s a tip: To maximise your appreciation of this pristine rainforest, as you wander along the railed pathway, pace yourself as though you are, in effect, strolling through an art gallery or museum. It’s definitely a ‘strolling’ walk and should not be rushed. Take your time, speak softly, fill your lungs with the crisp clean air, savour the sweet smell of the rainforest and allow the sights and sounds to melt away the pressures and cares of the world.  The Rainforest Gallery only needs 45 minutes of your time and, oh yes, did we mention this is all completely FREE!

To get a feel for the rainforest walk watch our video story featuring an exclusive interview with Park Ranger Mitch Nash, as he shares his extensive knowledge of the forests flora and fauna and gives a unique insight into what’s involved in being a park ranger.

If you like your craft markets BIG…then this is the one for you!

With over 320 stallholders spread over the length of a racetrack you need to have a few spare hours to get around this market. The Healesville Market is one of the six craft markets run by Craft Markets Australia.

After having visited quite a number of markets over the years we take our hats off to the team at Craft Markets Australia for ensuring high standards are maintained. For a quick visual sampling of what’s on offer watch the Do The Yarra Valley video below.

Louise Gamon – from Craft Markets Australia told us, “there is pretty much something for everyone,” and she was right. There’s everything from apples to zoo. – That’s a petting zoo for children, of course. Ah, yes, the colour, friendliness and quality makes this market not only what shopping used to be like, but what is should be like.

isn’t it amazing how strolling around looking at stuff makes you hungry. After a couple of hours I could have eaten a horse, fortunately they don’t run the market when the races are on! Anyway after perusing the delectable foods available a horse definitely lacked appeal. As we waited in line for a serve of the The Flying Calamari Brothers crumbed calamari rings, I heard a small child saying to her mother, “I wish this market was on every week Mum!” We had to agree with her. We highly recommend a visit to the Healesville Racecourse Harvest & Craft Market… you won’t be disappointed.

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO BAD WEATHER THE HEALESVILLE MARKET SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER THE 5TH HAS BEEN CANCELED.

With summer here, now is the perfect time to escape the city and enjoy what has affectionately become known as the ‘Warby Trail’.

The Warburton trail starts at the northern end of the Lilydale Train Station car park with signposts marking the beginning of the trail. From here the only real point of confusion is when the trail meets the Maroondah Highway. The trail rejoins directly opposite and whilst a footbridge will be built over the highway in 2010, for now users have to scramble across the six lanes or head to the crossing north or south on the highway.

The first stage of the ride involves a very gradual 125m climb over 6.9km to Mt Evelyn. The fact that this is the most challenging aspect of the whole trail is testament to how perfect this ride is suited to even the most novice rider.

For those squirming at the idea of riding 40km in the saddle, a growing number of riders are choosing to begin their ride at Mt Evelyn where there is plenty of parking available and the attraction of the Cog Bike Café (see our separate story).

The chart below gives you an indication of the distances between each station.

Distances to Warburton

Most regular “Warby Trail” users agree, that the trail really comes into its own from Killara Station onwards. It’s here along the Valley floor that the land and views start to open up around you. The gorgeous mountains of the Yarra Ranges National Park including Mount Donna Buang provide the perfect backdrop and motivation to keep you pushing the pedals all the way to Warburton.

If you have a bike then you should get on it and ride the Warburton Trail as soon as you can.  It’s a must do attraction in the Yarra Valley, it’s free, it’s beautiful, and it’s good for you. There’s not too many things you can say that about nowadays!

Warburton Trail – Latest Information

Construction of the Maroondah Highway bridge has begun! This is exciting news for the Warburton Trail as the bridge will make the trail a lot safer and user friendly for all users. The completion of the bridge is set for late 2010.

With sweeping views of the Yarra Valley, award winning wine and a superb Mediterranean style Restaurant, it’s hard to beat Tokar Estate for an afternoon or evening visit to the Yarra Valley.

The winery is the brain child of Leon and Rita Tokar who originally purchased the property as a weekend retreat from the stress of city living. They took up permanent residence with the completion of their home in 1999.  According to Leon things just gradually evolved. “We used the new home as a cellar door, the wine flowed as Rita prepared and served a delicious light lunches for family and friends. These occasions were not only extremely popular, they were so personally rewarding for both of us that the idea of making wines and meals on a larger scale seemed the next logical step. This resulted in the ‘creation’ of what we now proudly call Tokar Estate.”

	Lunch – 7 days a week from 12:00pm Dinner – Saturday Evenings from 6:30pm. Sunday – Friday Evenings for bookings of 20 or more, by prior arrangement.			6 Maddens Lane Coldstream, VIC 3770 Melways Ref: 276 K9
	The Restaurant offers stylish cuisine, peppered with strong Mediterranean influences, featuring local Yarra Valley produce.			For bookings phone: (03) 5964 9585