Be up before the sun and rise above the clouds in a hot air balloon. Grab some caffeine before travelling over the hill, down the valley and into the forest on board a century-old steam train. Explore a historic museum that houses over 80 exhibits before sitting down for morning tea. Check out a well-known Dandenong Ranges pub before settling in for the evening at a hidden gem in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne.
EARLY MORNING
(pre-dawn, really)
Enjoy a spectacular balloon ride with Global Ballooning over Yarra Valley -Â a world-class experience.
You’ll have plenty to see from the sky-high vantage point of a hot air balloon. Let the breeze usher you along the corridors of grapevines and over the Yarra River as you lose yourself in the breathtaking views of mountains, vineyards and maybe even spot some kangaroos!
Morning tea time
Jump onboard Puffing Billy for a 30-minute journey from Belgrave, passing over the historic Monbulk Creek trestle bridge and through the forests of the Dandenong Ranges, before arriving at Menzies Creek station. Here, we invite you to visit the Menzies Creek Museum which houses over 80 exhibits, including rare operational steam and diesel locomotives, carriages and a rail tractor. After a wander around, you can sit down and enjoy your pre-booked Devonshire Tea. Find out more.
Your return train journey brings you back to Belgrave just in time for lunch!
Bookings are essential.
Lunchtime
Only a 10-minute drive from Belgrave station you will find Paradise Valley Hotel, located along the Puffing Billy railway line. Their skilled chefs will prepare a delicious meal for you with our seasonal fresh produce. From classics you can’t live without to modern and innovative dishes, they have a menu ready to cater to anybody’s tastes, and a drinks menu sure to satisfy.
Be seated on the enclosed bistro deck, where they boast an immaculate view of the historic steam train as it passes by. Get a little closer to the action and grab a seat in the beer garden or enjoy a quieter dining experience inside the newly redesigned bistro with a modern atmosphere touched by the rustic history of the building itself.
Want to make a night of it?
Relax with stylish, convenient & affordable accommodation at ibis Melbourne Glen Waverley. The hotel offers an ideal location close to both the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley, and provides an excellent base for those heading out early for a balloon ride!
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