Yarra Valley

Full of charm, history and modern sophistication, the Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s great wine growing regions. In fact, the Yarra was Victoria’s first wine region with vines planted at Yering Station in 1838. With cool temperatures and ideal soil conditions, the valley produces many fine wines that benefit from a temperate climate. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are a specialty of the Yarra with the Upper Yarra vineyards being well suited to these varieties.

Wine region’s aside, there are a multitude of paid attractions and tours within the Victorian hinterland that will appeal to those wishing to indulge themselves. Having said that, there are quite a few fantastic free activities that can be found in the area — most notably in the foothills of the Yarra Ranges National Park.

The following free things to see and do in the Yarra Valley and its surrounds are sure to keep the budget in check so that should you feel the itch, you might be able to splash out on any one of the boutique services and facilities which are peppered throughout this rustic wine region.

While there are numerous tree top walks to be found around the country, there are but a few that are free. The remarkable Rainforest Gallery is the latter, with a steel platform that extends out into the forest canopy.

At this level, you can get a bird’s eye view of the stunning mountain ash trees to be found here which are a type of eucalyptus tree that only grows in colder climates. Some of these trees are 65 metres tall, and what a sight they are to behold. You’ll also spot myrtle beech trees surrounding the platform — which are over 300 years old.

While the extended walkway is short and over with quickly, there is more to discover here. Via a short set of stairs, visitors can drop down to the forest below the walkway where a temperate rainforest wonderland awaits.

The rainforest below is lush and densely populated with amazing plant life. This is viewable via some 450 metres of raised steel walkway which makes things nice and easy. The walk forms a loop with a small cascade to be seen at Cement Creek as it makes its way down to the Yarra River.

If you visit the Rainforest Gallery, the good news is you are already halfway up Mount Donna Buang. With sensational views afforded from its peak, this is a great addition to the day trip.

Continuing on by car, the summit of this mountain peak is easily reached via a sealed road. Before you reach the summit though, be on the lookout for a very large bitumen clearing on the way up. The clearing looks like a large carpark, except there are no lines on the ground. At the back of this area, you’ll find a natural water spring. The spring flows with some of the freshest water you are likely to drink. Locals swear by its purifying properties with some travelling large distances to take their fill and having done so for many years.

Interestingly, Mount Donna Buang is the closest alpine environment to Melbourne and the westernmost peak of the Australian Alps. The lookout tower that stands atop the summit is impressive and rises a further 21 metres off the ground. This allows climbers to clear the surrounding treetops for 360-degree views of the Victorian Alps, with Port Phillip Bay even seen from here on a clear day.

The summit is 1250 metres above sea level and snows regularly during the winter months. If you’re looking for a great place for the kids to play in the snow without the hefty fees of ski fields then keep Donna Buang in mind. There’s a cleared downhill section for toboggan riding, with toboggans generally available for hire at the summit or locally in the nearby town of Warburton. Victoria Roads clear the snow off the road from Warburton up to the summit, so tyre chains for your car should not be necessary.

Victoria is blessed with scenic drives; it just comes with the territory. Of all the roads you could take in the region, one of the better ones is the Black Spur Drive.

Embarking from the town of Healesville, the scenic tour blazes through some of the most captivating sections of the Yarra Ranges National Park. Along the way, the temperate forest to be admired from the convenience of your vehicle is mesmerisingly beautiful. It’s a delightful environment and easily one of the better scenic drives in the country.

As you drive, a roadside highlight of the journey would have to be the huge eucalyptus regnans which prove to be a captivating addition to the scenic drive. So tall is this species, that they are the tallest flowering trees in the world. With their extremely straight and towering presence, they cap off the experience superbly.

The ferns along this stretch of road are just as impressive, with their numbers in the hundreds at every twist and turn. It’s a very pleasant experience and one that will be with you for some time. In short, if you love nothing more than a scenic drive you will thoroughly love the intensely beautiful Black Spur Drive.

Should you be looking for a fitting destination after driving along the Black Spur, the town of Marysville and Steavenson Falls are a great choice. Sadly, bushfires destroyed 90 per cent of the village in 2009. While devastating, the community has picked itself up from this tragedy and rebuilt the town virtually from scratch, and as such, the town is a delight to visit once more.

The natural qualities of this region have also flourished once more, and its tree-lined streets are as good as any a place to stop for lunch or afternoon tea. Additionally, if you happen to visit during Autumn, the deciduous trees turn on the colour with gorgeous golden hues.

Steavenson Falls is but a ten-minute drive out of Marysville and well worth the trip up to see this gushing masterpiece. The trails leading to the falls are well-formed, and the rebuilt facilities are excellent. The falls themselves put on quite a show with a total drop of 84 metres.

For those perhaps wishing to stay in Marysville a little while, the paths and the falls themselves are floodlit from dusk until midnight which can all amount to a memorable experience.