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Diamond Valley Miniature Railway
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(Ph: 9439 1493. Sundays 11am-5pm, selected public holidays, Wednesdays in school holidays 1pm-4pm)
Travel 1.2kms through natural bush, over bridges, through tunnels and past stations. Train to Eltham then bus 281* or 513* to Lower Eltham Park.
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Monsalvat
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(Ph: 9439 7712. Open daily, 9am-5pm) Renowned artists community, set in five hectares of gardens with variety of architectural styles classified by the National Trust. Train to Eltham, bus 281*, 513*, 582 to Mount Pleasant Road stop, then an enjoyable stroll.
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| Fairfield Park |
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(Ph: 9486 1501) Go boating on the Yarra River then enjoy a meal in the historic tea rooms. Train to Dennis or Fairfield stations, short stroll from either station to the Park.
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| Edwards Lake |
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Enjoy a lakeside barbeque or explore the nearby Edgars Creek Wetlands. Train to Reservoir then a 1km walk or catch bus 553.*
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| Blackburn Lake Sanctuary |
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More than 180 varieties of birds have been seen and 150 types of plants identified at this nature wonderland, in the heart of the eastern suburbs. Train to Blackburn, 500m walk or catch bus 736.
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| Dandenong Ranges National Park |
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The villages of Olinda, Kalorama, Sassafras and Mt Dandenong, set among the mountain ash forests, are easily reached by bus from Croydon 688* or Belgrave 694*. There is also a weekday bus service 698 from Upper Ferntree Gully.
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| Puffing Billy |
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(For timetable information Ph: 9754 6800. Operates every day except Christmas Day)
Ride this world famous narrow gauge train through the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake (soon going on to Gembrook). There is also a narrow-gauge railway museum at Menzies Creek.
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| Healesville Sanctuary |
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(Ph: 1902 240 592. Daily 9am-5pm)
A haven for 200 species of native animals, including dingoes, koalas, wedge-tail eagles, kangaroos, platypus and wombats in a natural bush setting. Train to Lilydale, connecting bus 685 (daily) to Sanctuary.
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| Flemington Racecourse |
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(Ph: 9258 4666)
Where the Melbourne Cup is run on the first Tuesday in November. More than 30 race meetings every year. Guided tours on race days. Special race trains operate for all meetings.
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| MCG |
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(Ph: 9657 8879. For all details Tours daily every hour from 10am to 3pm) Home of Aussie Rules football, the birthplace of Test Cricket and major venue of the 1956 Olympics. The MCG is also home of the Australian Gallery of Sport, Olympic Museum.
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| Trolley Train rides. |
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(Ph: 9739 4680. Sundays and public holidays every half-hour 11am-4.30pm)
From Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Catch a train to Lilydale then bus 685 (daily) to Healesville.
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| William Ricketts Sanctuary |
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(Ph: 9751 1300. Open 10am-4.30pm daily)
A thought provoking journey to the heart of Australia with dozens of hand-carved aboriginal sculptures. Catch a train to Croydon station and then take Mt Dandenong bus 688.
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| The Heidelberg School Artists Trail. |
(Ph: 13 19 63. Parks Victoria)
Features six 19th century artists including Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and Louis Buvelot. The trail has 12 colour signs acknowledging works painted in the area. Train to Heidelberg or Eaglemont stations then a short walk to the Yarra River.
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| Royal Showgrounds. |
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For 10 days in late September the country comes to town. See the best of Aussie rural life by catching special Show trains from Flinders Street, Spencer Street or North Melbourne stations.
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| Markets |
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There are major markets near Ringwood and Croydon stations. The Gully Market is held in the Upper Ferntree Gully Station car park every Saturday and Sunday. Mooroolbark Craft Market is on the last Sunday of each month. The Diamond Creek Community Market is held on the 4th Sunday of each month and the Eltham Arts and Craft Market on the 1st Sunday from Feb-Oct and 1st and 3rd Sundays of Nov and Dec.
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| Shopping |
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There are shopping precincts near most railway stations. Some major centres or complexes include:
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