Don't forget that any tour can be changed to suit you, as our itineraries are based on your requirements

HEALESVILLE & THE DANDENONG RANGES

Main Features of this tour: The Dandenong Ranges Puffing Billy Vintage Steam Train ride The Yarra Valley Healesville Sanctuary Please refer to the route map at the bottom of the page.... And of course, all the extras you get with a Daytours Victoria, personally escorted tour.

Just an hour to the East from Melbourne, are the beautiful Dandenong Ranges - the Sunday-drive favourite of the city, especially the Eastern suburbs.

The cry of "Let's take a drive to the hills" has been heard in homes across Melbourne since the car came to Victoria and with good reason.

The Dandenongs is the Devonshire Tea capital of Victoria, with individual & sometimes quaint hill towns, unusual shops and great scenery.

We leave Melbourne and travel out along Toorak Road, passing some of Melbourne's most expensive homes. If you would like, we can come home via the other "mansion" area. Just ask.

Out past the Eastern suburbs, we start to climb into the Dandenong Ranges, which by world standards are only hills. They are still relatively untouched, although they ARE very busy, with both locals and visitors. A lot of the locals survive because of the visitors, so you'll find yourself very welcome.

First, it's to Belgrave and "Puffing Billy" for a vintage steam-train ride through the very pretty Dandenong hills, either to Emerald Lake, or Gembrook, depending on the amount of time you want to devote to the Healesville Sanctuary, later in the day.

Our tours are very flexible and can be changed enroute if there's a need, or desire.

Either way, you'll be met by your Daytours Victoria vehicle and guide at the end of the train ride.

A nice cup of Tea and a BIG CREAM SCONE

We then go to Sassafras, a worthwhile stop for a browse through the shops, before making our way to the William Ricketts Sanctuary, an absolutely fascinating memorial to a reclusive sculptor.

Leaving the the Dandenongs, to the Maroondah Highway and on to Healesville and the Healesville Sanctuary.

The sanctuary has an excellent collection of Australian native animals, which are housed in an environment which is as close to natural as possible.

The amount of time you spend here is flexible.

Depending on how much daylight is left, we can wander back to Melbourne via the Kangaroo Ground route, for some pretty scenery, or come straight back along the Marrondah Highway.

We, of course, drive you to your hotel.