Phillip Island to Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges
Head roughly an hour and 50 minutes north to the lush gardens and national parks of the Dandenong Ranges. Hop aboard the historic Puffing Billy Railway for a morning ride through fern gullies and rainforest or make an afternoon of it by booking the three-hour gourmet on-board lunch.
Take a stroll through giant mountain ash forest in Dandenong Ranges National Park or spend time exploring the quaint hill villages of Sassafras and Olinda, where you can pick up antiques and artworks, and sample the popular local Devonshire tea.
In summer, discover the bounty of this fertile region as you fill your basket with cherries plucked straight from the tree at CherryHill Orchards, and stock up on stone fruits at Rayners Orchard. In September and October, make sure you experience the magic and colour of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival.
Press on towards the rolling green fields of the famed Yarra Valley in time for a late winery lunch at TarraWarra Estate or Coombe Yarra Valley – the latter home to an acclaimed restaurant, winery and country house that was once the residence of legendary Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba.
As night approaches, settle into your accommodation at Chateau Yering, where you'll also share a sumptuous dinner at award-winning Eleonore's Restaurant. After that, the night is yours to while away amid the old-world architecture and manicured gardens of one of the Yarra Valley's iconic retreats.