Things to explore in and around Healesville
When to visit the Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is a magical place to visit in all seasons, with crisp frosty mornings and low lying fog covering the mountains in winter, followed by the blue skies and blossom-filled gardens in spring, with lambs gambolling in the paddocks, spreading in to the longer, warmer days of summer, cooled by a walk along the banks of our local rivers and creeks, to the dramatic colours of the turning leaves on the vines and trees in autumn.
Immerse yourself in nature
Our region is one of great natural beauty – and we have some beautiful walks for you to enjoy. Wander through forests of towering Mountain Ash and giant tree ferns as you criss-cross the river at Badger Weir, or explore Maroondah Reservoir and climb onto the imposing dam wall just a few minutes drive from your house, Donnelly’s Weir is worth a walk or bike ride too, and then drive the pretty 15-minute drive up to the hamlet of Toolangi and experience a cool climate rainforest on the boardwalks at the Wirrawilla rainforest walk or head over towards Yarra Glen to Alowyn Gardens and be amazed at the beauty of their parterre garden, edible garden, and the perennial borders.
Healesville Sanctuary is home to Australian indigenous birds and wildlife and is a wonderful place to while away the day – check times on their website before you go, to make sure you see the Spirits of the Sky show and the free keeper talks.
Wine, beer, cider, gin – the Yarra Valley has the lot!
We’re famous for our cool climate wines and there are plenty of cellar doors for you to visit during your stay, ranging from the tiniest shed to the most impressive architecturally designed venues. You’ll find great inspiration with these 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries.
We also have a well-deserved reputation for award-winning ciders (Napoleone, St Ronans and Yering Farm), beer (Watts River, Coldstream Brewery & Hop Hen Brewing), whisky (Cavanagh’s Whisky & Alehouse) and now gin (Four Pillars, Rochford & Alchemy) and we recommend you book ahead for these experiences so as not to be disappointed.
Food, glorious food
When it comes to food, the Yarra Valley is Melbourne’s food bowl – we grow amazing fruit, from apples to strawberries, peaches to cherries, all of which you can buy direct from the grower, or at the local markets.
Cheese lovers are in luck and should check out providores like Kitchen & Butcher or Sophie Cheesemonger, both in Healesville’s Main Street and walking distance from our houses. If you feel like a night in and don’t want to cook, K&B (as the locals call Kitchen & Butcher) sell a great range of take-home meals to enjoy back at your house with a bottle of local wine!
If you’re here on a Saturday morning, pop down to the local growers market at Coronation Park in Healesville by the river and on the 3rd Sunday of the month – it’s worth the 15-minute drive out to Punt Road to enjoy the monthly Yarra Valley Farmer’s Market which is held in the wineries’ grounds.
Stroll to Breakfast, lunch and dinner
If you love eating out and eating well, Healesville offers a great range of options, especially at the weekends, and the best part – all are within walking distance of your house. Check out the favourites close to Magnolia and Fig Tree and let us know if we can help with any recommendations or bookings. Opening hours are changeable so we recommend ringing or booking in advance. Coffee and cake lovers will be spoilt for choice, with Sister Mary Louise, Chachi, Watts River Café, Nature’s Cakes, The Mare & My Little Kitchen all coming highly recommended. Many of these do a mean breakfast/brunch menu too.
It’s great to be able to walk into town for dinner and not have to worry about driving or getting taxis back (they are few and far between in Healesville). Top pics include Herd, Monroe’s Burgers, Innocent Bystander, Bodhi Tree, Emerald City, and we have three pubs each with their own distinct vibe – The Healesville Hotel, The Grand, and The Terminus, check out their menus and reviews before booking.
Enjoy some spa time
You won’t even have to leave the house to enjoy a relaxing massage or day spa treatment. Contact us directly to organise a treatment tailored just for you.
RACV member? You’ll get member’s rates at Healesville’s RACV One Spa, with its impressive menu of treatments and stunning outlook over Mt Riddell.
If you’re an art or history lover
YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub – Right here in the heart of Healesville’s Main Street, climb the stairs to see the latest exhibition on at YAVA, a dynamic, ever evolving space.
Tarrawarra Museum of Art – The Beeson family own the largest private collection of modern art in Australia and it’s right here on your doorstep when you stay at Healesville House. A 5-minute drive from your house, TarraWarra Museum of Art is a cultural jewel providing visitors with a relaxing and enjoyable experience – of both stunning architecture and a diverse program of exhibitions and events.
The Memo is our very own cinema, right in the heart of Healesville. Check out what’s showing, it’s always a mix of art house, mainstream and downright quirky!
The Yarra Ranges has a rich and significant history, told in pictures and artefacts at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum in Lilydale. It houses a collection of over 13,000 items, many of which tell the story of the Wurundjeri people, traditional owners of this land.
