dotheyarravalley.com.au

Barolo Lodge is situated in Healesville at the heart of the Yarra Valley and just an hour drive from Melbourne. The lodge offers luxury accommodation for up to 9 people and is within walking distance to Healesville and all it has to offer, including the Healesville Sanctuary.

Barolo Lodge has a charming Art Deco feel with a wood panelled drawing room and roaring log fire for cold winter nights. It is also air conditioned for the summer months and has a beautiful outdoor area to enjoy. The external 4 person spa and entertaining area provide the perfect space to kick back and relax.

Guests at Barolo Lodge can browse the local shops, Wine & Dine at the many eating establishments in Healesville or perhaps take a Winery Tour to the many fabulous Yarra Valley Wineries including Domaine Chandon, Dominique Portet, Oakridge Estate and Rochford Winery.

The renowned Innocent Bystander Winery and the White Rabbit Brewery are within walking distance offering some great wines or an ice cold beer. For great coffee try Essenza and purchase some local Yarra Valley gourmet delights gift boxes from Kafe Kulcha to take home with you.

If you are looking for a secluded get away for special events, weddings, short breaks or a boutique bed and breakfast then Barolo Lodge is the perfect location for your guests.

Accommodation Page

Accommodation for up to 9 Guests:
4 Bedrooms / 5 Beds: 4 Queen Beds & 1 Single Bed

Are you looking to get married in an intimate, unusual, setting packed full of WOW factor? How about 3000 Feet in the Air? 

Hot Air Ballooning is synonymous with romance, and creates the perfect atmosphere for couples tying the knot in Victoria’s spectacular Yarra Valley.

Global Ballooning has been flying balloons over the Yarra Valley for over 20 years, and can still be blown away by its beauty from above. “The sun is peeking over the horizon, the mist is slowly rolling through the vines, and there is not a sound to be heard – just stunning.” (John Sanderon, Global Ballooning Crew)

Due to overwhelming demand, Global Ballooning has put together a customised Wedding Package. The package includes:

• Yarra Valley Hotel pick-up (selected veneues)
• Sunrise balloon flight for up to 16 passengers in an exclusive basket.
• Delicious gourmet champagne breakfast at award winning Rochford Wines
• CD of in-flight photos

You will float gently over the picturesque region for approx. 1 hours, just enough time to exchange vows and enjoy the breathtaking views.

For breakfast you will have the choice of two menus, and choice to fine in the reataurant or private dining room. And, of course, a breakfast celebration would be complete without a glass or two of fine bubbly to toast the new couple.

Global Ballooning can also recommend seasoned balloon celebrant Maree Livy, who has performed many of our balloon ceremonies.

For the most important day of your lives, you want only the best. Global Ballooning has some of the most experienced teams in Victoria and are dedicated to making your day a memorable one.

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your organisation of our wedding. We had a such a fantastic time. The pilot was outstanding. I would highly recommend it to anyone. We received our photos thank you they are so beautiful. Look forward to flying with you again. Your help was much appreciated.” – Jade

If you are a couple looking for a romantic rainforest retreat to relax, unwind and escape the stresses of day to day life then look no further. Myers Creek Cascades is the perfect place to go to experience sheer luxury, seclusion and tranquility.

Your superb bedroom has a sumptuous king bed backed by a stunning picture window. Views of waterfalls, towering gums and lush ferns are a feature of the deluxe double spas and French doors open onto a private balcony. The big comfy sofa, elegant drapes and soft lamplight enhance the sense of romance and indulgence.

Whether you are planning an Anniversary, Special Birthday or just rewarding yourself with some time together, Myers Creek Cascades provides an intimate space for relaxation and privacy. If you don’t want to leave the peace and privacy of this special place, self-catering is an easy option in the well-equipped gourmet kitchen.  These four individually designed Spa Cottages are situated just 5 minutes out of Healesville, the perfect base to explore all the Yarra Valley has to offer.

The cottages are well appointed with everything you need for the perfect time away. Owners, James and Jan are passionate about providing an experience that you will never forget, for all the right reasons. Nothing is too much trouble and the attention to detail is superb.

It comes as no surprise that Myers Creek Cascades won the 2010 Peoples Choice RACV Tourism Award for Best Accommodation Experience.

Sandra and Leigh pictured below have just enjoyed their 6^th visit to Myers Creek Cascades for their 29^th Wedding Anniversary. “We love the quiet serenity of the bush and the peaceful surroundings. Watching the rosellas playing in the waterfall was mesmerizing. This is our special place”.

For rates and bookings visit their website.

The Carriage Cafe on the Warburton Trail in Seville is truly one of the hidden gems of the Yarra Valley. To Melanie, the owner and creator,  putting a railway carriage on a bike trail that used to be a railway line, “seemed kind of obvious” and as obvious as it may be, it certainly doesn’t lessen the achievement or the style with which it has been executed.

What’s great about the Carriage Cafe? In short – everything! The carriage has been restored, the compartments fitted-out with tables and an impressive platform constructed for outdoor dining. The food is modern-Australian, the prices are cheap, the atmosphere is relaxed and the view overlooks the trail. If you get the feeling we are big fans of the Carriage Cafe – you are right. We love it. It’s businesses like this that deserve the recognition and support of the public. Why? Because it’s just so well done!

Saturday the 17th of July 2010 marked the return of a regular timetabled train service within the Yarra Valley. The Hon Tim Holding Minister for Tourism and Major Events, helped Bill Snell, the last train driver to drive a train from Healesville, to cut the ribbon and officially open the superbly restored Walker Rail-Motor “RM22″. Other special guests included, Margaret Howie, who travelled to school every morning on the RM22 between 1956 and 1961, (Read Margaret’s Story here) and Ben Hardman the Member for Seymour.

The volunteers of the railway have reached a goal that has taken many years to achieve. The goal was to replace the existing trolley service with a train passenger service. To achieve this goal 4 bridges and 4kms of track required restoration to a standard capable for train operations.

Track restoration work has been ongoing since 1989. In 2006-2010, increased volunteer activity and increased resources to purchase track materials has resulted in great progress to track restoration during this period. The track required timber sleepers to be replaced and the track to be lifted and packed with ballast. Sleeper replacement in the running section from Healesville to the tunnel is complete and ready for train action. The largest bridge, the Watts River Bridge, required $100,000 worth of materials to rebuild with these funds supplied from a State Government Grant.

On 9th December 1980, the communities surrounding Healesville and Yarra Glen bid farewell to the Rail Motor Service. The last passenger train on the Lilydale to Healesville line was provided by rail-motors, ceased.

The Passenger Service will resume with Walker Rail-Motor “RM22”, a project that railway volunteers have worked on for over two years restoring the rail motor to “as new” condition. The Walker has been lent to the Railway by the Australian Railways Historical Society and was transported from the Williamstown Museum in 2006.

RM22 is a single carriage diesel rail-motor that once plied the Lilydale to Healesville line, and one which many residents of the area would have once travelled. It will be a very rewarding moment to return RM22 back to the Healesville Line.

The Yarra Valley Railway has won 2 national awards for the restoration projects in the last 2 years. The Association of Tourist & Heritage Railways Australia’s [ATHRA] Infrastructure Restoration Award for 2008, for the completion of the Watts River timber trestle bridge.

Tourist Railways from all over Australia are invited each year to nominate for these awards covering many different categories. The Watts River Bridge Project was selected by ATHRA for this award over other projects from all over Australia.

The second award was won at the 2009 Association of Tourist and Heritage Railways of Australia (ATHRA) awards held in Queensland. The YVR received the “ARTHA Passenger Vehicle Restoration Award 2009” for the restoration of RM22.

What’s Special about this Railway?

• The Yarra Valley Railway has enormous potential as a major tourist attraction. The railway runs through the heart of the Yarra Valley. The Yarra Valley attractions include Wineries, Accommodation, B&B’s, Markets, Racecourses and the Healesville Sanctuary.
• The large volume of passing traffic in the area over the weekend on Melba Hwy and Maroondah Hwy is significant.
• The line offers views of flood plans, dairy farms, vineyards, mountains and forests. The YVR is the only tourist railway in Victoria with a tunnel.

Running Days > 10am – 4pm

• Sundays and Public Holidays,
• School Holidays > Wednesday to Sunday.
• Bookings made anytime by request (Conditions Apply).

Timetable

For more information about the Yarra Valley Railway visit their Website at – www.yvr.com.au

On the second Saturday of every month Mont De Lancey holds a unique country market. Having around 20 stalls, it’s not on the scale of the Healesville Craft Market, however the goods on offer are top quality and the setting and atmosphere make this market well worth putting on your market list.

As well as the market stalls, there’s pony rides, face painting, Blacksmiths, and wood turning.  To get a feel for what this market has to offer, watch the Web TV epsiode below, as Tania from Do The Yarra Valley takes a quick tour.

As well as the market, Mont De Lancey is host to a Blacksmithing group who meet every weekend at the authentic Blacksmith Shop. Their aim is to keep this ancient craft alive by sharing their knowledge and skills.  According to Fritz, a Blacksmith of 50 years, belting the living daylights out of hot metal is also “very therapeutic”. For those interested in this type of therapy they offer a four-week course and no experience is necessary. We will be devoting a full story to the Blacksmithing Group in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Most market days you can also watch the historical re-enactment group practicing in the paddocks around the property. The sight of Scottish, British and French soldiers being charged at full gallop by the cavalry, always makes for spectacular viewing.

The market is open from 9am to 1pm on market days (2nd Saturday of each month).

Entry is by gold coin donation.

For more information call the Country Market Co-Ordinator on 5964 2088. Or visit the Mont De Lancey website:

An escape to the Yarra Valley that’s simply De’Vine.

Nestled amongst the 35 year old vines in Victoria’s magnificent Yarra Valley is the aptly named De’Vine Escape. The vineyard studios offer 23 rooms, 3 of which are spa rooms with queen beds and ensuites. The large rooms are modern and tasteful offering peaceful views across the vineyard. Watch the video tour below as Tania talks to Jodie Philipsen from De’Vine Escape about what they have to offer visitors to the Yarra Valley.

What we liked:

1. Location, location, location! Who wouldn’t love being surrounded by the peace and quite of a vineyard!
2. Comfortable tasteful spacious rooms.
3. One night stay is no problem. A lot of venues only offer a minimum 2 night stay.
4. Global Ballooning package is a must!
5. Friendly helpful staff.

Feature Summary:

• Private car park
• Breakfast / Dinner / Balloon packages available
• Close to Yarra Glen township
• 15 minutes from Healesville
• Picturesque walks and views
• Perfect for wedding groups
• Close to famous local wineries

To make a booking enquiry with De’Vine Escape
click the whopping big  button below.

Phone Bookings – +61 3 5965 2084

De’Vine Escape
68 Wills Rd, Yarra Glen, VIC 3775.

Healesville Sanctuary has just opened its brand new dramatic rocky high country exhibit, Dingo Country.

Over the years the Dingo has received some pretty bad press, so it’s refreshing to be able to learn the truth about these beautiful creatures. This brand new exhibit has been developed for the Sanctuary’s five Dingoes – and to prepare for puppies later this year! The open enclosure offers excellent viewing for all visitors including young children.

Tania from Do The Yarra Valley spoke to Sue Jaensch a Dingo keeper at the Sanctuary and was surprised to learn that due to loss of habitat and interbreeding, the Dingo has now become a threatened species in Victoria. Watch the video below for the full story on the new exhibit.

Apart from the wildlife experience there is something else about Healesville Sanctuary that makes it a very special place to visit and that’s the people who work there. For so many of them, securing a position at the Sanctuary has been their life’s dream. Speak to any of the employees or volunteers and you find they all share a passion and love for the Sanctuary that is so strong you can feel it in the air.

With so many dedicated, skilled and experienced people working at the Sanctuary it’s no wonder it continues to be Australia’s most popular wildlife experience.

If you haven’t been for a while, you should put it on the top of your “To Do” list and if you’ve never been – you’re life is not complete!

Healesville Sanctuary is open every day of the year including public holidays from 9am to 5pm. For more information visit their website.

Interested in becoming a Zoo Keeper – learn about the Keeper for a Day program – watch our video