Stay at a romantic retreat for two, complete with double spa, views, and a gas log fire. Sample cuisine from Asia and South America and travel in style on board Puffing Billy's luxurious dining carriages. Dine at an iconic venue owned by a celebrity chef and soak up the fresh air of the Dandenong Ranges' gardens and villages.
Day 1
Afternoon / evening
Check in to The Gallery Olinda Bed & Breakfast, a contemporary, romantic retreat for two, nestled in 1 ½ acres of old Hills gardens in Olinda. Unwind in the double spa, enjoy views out over the gardens and then snuggle up in front of the no-fuss, Coonara gas log fire.
Enjoy dinner from the nearby Olinda Tea House, a modern yet incredibly relaxing Asian fusion restaurant. Taking a modern spin on Chinese cuisine, it offers unique high-quality dishes and exquisite desserts.
Day 2
Morning
The Gallery Olinda provides all the ingredients for a relaxed breakfast at your own pace - including home-baked bread!
Afterwards, spend the morning exploring the nearby cafes, restaurants and shops of Olinda, Mt Dandenong and Sassafras.
Afternoon
Travel onboard Puffing Billy and unwind with a majestic three-hour steam train journey as you take in the scenic vista of the Dandenong Ranges. Arrive at the historic Nobelius Packing Shed and indulge in a delicious seasonal two-course lunch. Tickets include a return Excursion Train journey (55 mins each way), 2-course lunch served at the Nobelius Packing Shed as well as tea and coffee. Find out more about Train & Lunch at the Packing Shed.
Evening
Ten minutes from your accommodation you'll find The Piggery, a rustic, hearty and family-friendly eatery, built upon the philosophy of farm-to-table food. With a seasonally rotating menu, food at the Piggery is wholesome, uncomplicated and celebrates the very best of Australian ingredients.
The rustic interior is spacious and accommodating, featuring a bustling takeaway counter of freshly baked goods from their next-door neighbour, Burnham Bakery - a fully organic and biodynamic bakehouse.
Day 3
Morning
Check out from The Gallery Olinda following breakfast.
Head to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and wander through these lush surrounds.
Afternoon
Make your way to Main Street Gembrook, where a modest door leads to a spacious dining room with an open kitchen and sounds of tango.
You'll find a heritage-listed building that was once a motor garage and is the setting for chef-patron Mauro Callegari’s modern Argentinian restaurant The Independent. His Argentinian, French and Italian roots are exemplified in his menu, with local, Argentinian and other international wines found on the beverage list. There is a garden courtyard to enjoy tapas and cocktails.
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.
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