Yarra Valley and Dandenongs

Located to the NE of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley boasts over 55 wineries set in picturesque rolling hills. The drive north east along the Maroondah Highway takes you through Healesville, home of the award winning Healesville Sanctuary, which has more than 200 Australian wildlife species living in a bushland setting. Kangaroos, wallabies and emus wander the grounds. You then pass through dense forests at Black Spur which offer spectacular scenery.

Because of the area's reputation as a great wine producer, you will also find many excellent local restaurants, all keen to delight your palate with the fresh local produce. The Yarra Valley Dairy, which is a restaurant in an old dairy building, produces more than 20 varieties of hand-made cheese, which many visitors say rivals the best of France and Italy.

The Dandenongs (where Melbourne's suburbs meet the mountains) have long been a very popular getaway for Melbournians, and have plenty of cafes, restaurants and small art and craft galleries.

The Dandenongs are a garden lover's delight with five of Melbourne's Great Gardens and countless private ones surrounded by bushland. The cool climate suits many European varieties of plant-life as well as Australian native flora. Many city dwellers treat themselves to lunch in the Dandenongs. Only an hour's drive from Melbourne, the area is easy to get to.

While in the area, be sure to check out Puffing Billy, the only survivor of several narrow-gauge steam trains, which used to connect Melbourne with nearby country areas at the end of the 1800s. It generally runs 3 or 4 times a day from Belgrave. Puffing Billy runs to Emerald Lakeside Park, or makes the longer trip to Gembrook. It also makes an intermediate stop at Menzies Creek, which has a steam train museum open on weekends and public holidays. The Emerald Lake Model Railway at Lakeside Park is the largest in Australia with more than 2km of track.

We've chosen some really lovely Yarra Valley and Dandenongs accommodation spots for you to stay at. It all depends on what you want to do and see when you get to the area. Take a look at our hotels, bed and breakfasts, retreats & self-contained apartments, lodges & cottages, and you're sure to find something that tickles your fancy. Tell them Simply Lush sent you, and be sure to send us a postcard while you're enjoying your stay.

 Yarra Valley and Dandenongs Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, Retreats & Guesthouses

We have reviewed and selected the very best, big and small luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts, day spas, retreats and guest houses that we can find for Accommodation Yarra Valley and Dandenongs.

To see a list of the accomodation properties available in a Region including Yarra Valley and Dandenongs, click on the Hotels/B&B link next to the Region Name in the list below.

Yarra Valley and Dandenongs Self Contained, Apartments, Lodges & Cottages

We have reviewed and selected the best self-contained apartment style accommodation, lodges and cottages that we can find for Accommodation Yarra Valley and Dandenongs.

To see a list of the accomodation properties available in a Region including Yarra Valley and Dandenongs, click on the Self-Contained link next to the Region Name in the list below.