Escape to the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley and stay at cosy, self-contained accommodation. Get up close and personal with native Australian animals in natural surrounds. Pick and eat the freshest fruits you will ever try at an orchard with over 350 varieties of fruit! Jump on board for a century-old steam train ride through the beautiful forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges and enjoy a refreshing ice cream.
Day One
Afternoon / evening
Check into your cosy, family-friendly cottage at Emerald Ridge B&B.
Enjoy dinner at (or order take away from) one of the local eateries such as Bam Bam Italian in Avonsleigh or Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis.
Day Two
Morning
Enjoy your self-contained breakfast in your cottage.
Depart for Rayners Orchard, Woori Yallock.
Discover life on the land and pick your own fruit on a tractor tour at Rayners Orchard before enjoying a coffee or homemade ice cream.
Drive to Puffing Billy.
Afternoon
Collect packed lunches from one of Puffing Billy's stations to enjoy in the fresh air (don't forget the picnic rug!).
Jump onboard Puffing Billy for a century-old steam train ride through the beautiful forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges.
Return to your cottage for a well-deserved rest!
Evening
Enjoy an Argentinian feast at (or take away from) renowned Gembrook eatery The Independent.
Day Three
Morning
Check out from your cottage and make your way to the Yarra Valley.
Delight your sweet tooth with a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Icecreamery.
Map of itinerary inclusions
Refer to the map below to start planning your weekend away!
Click on the different pins to view the address and more information about each business marked on the map.
Note: The information that appears is sourced from Google. At this time of rapid change, we encourage you to refer to the individual businesses' websites and/or social media channels for up to date information and any closures due to COVID-19.
Key destinations in this itinerary
Emerald Ridge Bed & Breakfast, 7 Jarmina Way, Emerald VIC 3782 (get directions)
Bam Bam Italian, 445 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Avonsleigh VIC 378 (get directions)
Paradise Valley Hotel, 249 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Clematis VIC 3782 (get directions)
Rayners Orchard, 60 Schoolhouse Rd, Woori Yallock VIC 3139 (get directions)
Puffing Billy's Lakeside station, Emerald Lake Road, Emerald VIC 3782 (get directions)
The Independent Gembrook, 79 Main St, Gembrook VIC 3783 (get directions)
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, 35 Old Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen VIC 3775 (get directions)
Healesville Sanctuary, Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville VIC 3777 (get directions)
Share itinerary
Do you know someone who would love this itinerary? Perhaps you feel inspired and want to keep a copy of it for your records? Sharing it is super easy - simply click on one of the icons below!