Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
is an iconic restored steam train that toots its way through the ferny hills from Belgrave to
Emerald Lake Park and Gembrook. Kids love to dangle their legs out the sides of the
open-air compartments, and you can hop on and hop off en route to enjoy a picnic or
walk. Puffing Billy train station is a short walk from Belgrave train station on Mel-
bourne's suburban network.
Trees Adventure
OFFLINE MAP
ADVENTURE SPORTS
( 0410 735 288;
www.treesadventure.com.au
; Old Monbulk Rd, Glen Harrow Gardens; 2hr session adult/child $39/
25; 11am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat & Sun; Belgrave)
Reminiscent of the Ewok village out of
Return of the Jedi
, Trees Adventure is a blast of tree-climbs, flying foxes and obstacle
courses in a stunning patch of old-growth forest boasting sequoia, mountain ash and
Japanese oak trees. The safety system for the course ensures you're always attached to a
secure line and the beginner sections are suitable for kids as young as five.
Emerald Lake Park
( 1300 131 683;
www.emeraldlakepark.com.au
; Emerald Lake Rd, Emerald)
Featuring two man-made
lakes, Nobelius and Treganowan, this garden has picnic areas, a water slide and swim-
ming pool, paddle boats and
Emerald Lake Model Railway
( 03-5968 3455; adult/child $6/4;
11.30am-4pm Thu-Sun)
, the largest HO scale model (1:87) railway in the southern hemisphere.
SWIMMING, BOATING
Dandenong Ranges National Park
OFFLINE MAP
(
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
;
Upper Ferntree Gully, Belgrave)
This national park contains the four
largest areas of remaining forest in the Dandenongs. The Ferntree Gully area has several
Australian WWII servicemen who served in New Guinea. Bring sturdy shoes as its steps
get slippery.
Sherbrooke Forest
, just north of Belgrave, has a towering cover of mountain ash trees and
sulphur-crested cockatoos.
PARK
National Rhododendron Gardens
OFFLINE MAP
GARDENS
