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. Sample South Indian Street food before finishing off your day 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 - a world-class experience.
A champagne breakfast is included in your ballooning ticket.
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 morning tea from the Little Toot Cafe. Find out more about Train, Museum & Morning Tea.
Your return train journey brings you back to Belgrave just in time for lunch!
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!
Map and directions
Refer to the map below to start planning your day out!
Click on the different pins to view the address, get directions, and view 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.
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!