Aussie Gal, Yarra Valley ??

[poppy4kids]

Jennie and others,

We will be in Meldourne 4/16/08 off the Sapphire from 8am to 5pm I want to go to Healesville Res. early and then stop for lunch and wine tasting on the way back, is it better to rent a car and drive myself or get a tour?

If tour, do you know an inexpensive Tour Co.?

If I drive can I do it in my time frame?

Thank you, Jimmy

[Aussie Gal]

Jimmy,

 

You can do it if you rent a car but you will first of all have to pick up the hire car and return it so that would take some time off the trip. Secondly you will be driving both ways in peak traffic and that can be hard for someone who doesn't know the city and suburbs especially with tramlines etc. Thirdly, if you have never driven on the left hand side of the road, it can be a nightmare.

 

 

I would suggest either taking a tour or hiring a limousine company to take you on the trip. Healesville Sanctuary is about 40km from the ship and it will be the furtherest distance that you will go. http://healesvillezoo.melbourneaustralia.com.au/

 

It will take at least an hour to an hour and a half to get there depending on the traffic.

 

From there you will backtrack to the Yarra Valley. This is only about 15 minutes away, depending on which winery you will be visiting. Some lovely wineries to have lunch are: Domain Chandon, De Botoli, Fergusons etc.

 

http://www.wineyarravalley.com/

 

From there you can either return back to the ship or go via our beautiful Dandenong Ranges where you can see huge ferns growing besides the road.

 

Here are some tour companies:

 

http://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/location_hs.htm

 

http://www.melbournehostedtours.com.au/tour_details.php?tCode=PB

 

http://www.tourismvictoria.com.au/piecesofvictoria/august_2006/index.php?page=05

 

http://www.easyway.com.au/ws_scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=conferences/tours_home.htm?co=ps

 

If you still want to have a go at driving yourself, then leave the ship as soon as it docks so that you have a full day and on the return journey, leave the Yarra Valley around 2.30-3.00pm. That will allow plenty of time to get back before sailing.

 

I hope some of this information is of use. Good luck.

 

Jennie

[poppy4kids]

Thank you Jennie, I have a long time till we go so I will keep looking in. I like to drive but if it's to much trouble I'll look for a tour. thanks again, Jimmy

[aussi cruiser]

Hi if you are planing to drive to see all of the above to hire a car cost approximately $67.00 Aud for one day. You can pick up the car in South Melbourne just 7 mins from the pier this is with Avis

It is a beautiful trip to the Yarra Valley and Healesville Sanctuary. May I suggest while in the Yarra Valley stop in at Yarra Valley Dairy (McMeikans Road YERING)it has some of the most beautiful cheeses and they have a great tasting plate you can share. Also Yering Station Winery and next door Chateau Yering built in 1837 (perhaps lunch at Sweetwater Cafe)as well as the above mentioned wineries (Note both Domaine Chandon and Yering station you can observe the wine making process). Entrance fee to Healesville Sanctuary is $23 Aud per person. I agree with Aussie Gal if you have enough time to visit Mount Dandenong you can visit the Mount Dandenong Observatory that looks out over all of Melbourne and you can drive through many quaint towns on your way. try looking at the following web sites www.travelvictoria.com.au/mountdandenong/

www.chateauyering.com.au

www.yering.com

www.yvd.com.au

Good luck have a great time in Melbourne

[poppy4kids]

Aussi Cruiser, Good Info. thanks

[Justgottago]

If you visit Domaine Chandon they serve their own method champagnoise (French trademark holder won't let the call it champagne) along with platters of fresh fruit including strawberries and local cheeses. Really great on a summer day.