Trees that touch the sky, rivers that dance and wildlife that live in their element, the Yarra Ranges can provide a healthy respite from the the noise of life in a modern city.

Only an hour or so drive from Melbourne CBD, the Yarra Ranges National Park is the home to one of the tallest tree species in the world (Mountain Ash), as well as a diverse range of fauna and animals including platypi! However, please be aware that logging is a problem here, as well as the spread of non-native plants, which is having an edverse effect on wildlife.

Just in case you forgot how adorable a platypus looks. _Source

Quaint little town

First stop, Healesville. A small town on the outskirts of thick forest that despite its size, caters amicably to its wealthy locals and tourists alike. There's a rustic gastro pub who’s roaring fires are reserved for the more minted among us, and an old, 'dive' pub for the ordinary peon which, quite notably, didn’t indulge in fires despite the wintery gales.

A smattering of little cafes serving artisanal coffee and brunches - an integral part of Melbourne culture that stretches far and wide - interlinked the high street. An odd Marilyn Monroe themed burger joint, charity shops, garden stores, as well as a number of boutique stores glamourising country life through women's fashion made up the rest of the town’s offering.

Healesville Hotel

Happy birthday Mr President

We parked at Healesville to take shelter from the thundering sheets of rain that had threatened to ruin our excursion into the forest. All we wanted at this point was to ignore the sooty skies and acquaint ourselves with hearty food and a pint! Or two?

After hopelessly walking up and down trying to find food that catered to all four of our (extremely varied) dietary, financial and comfort needs, we finally settled on the Marylin Monroe burger bar.

Wonderfully familiar smells of grilled burgers and fried potatoes greeted us like a hug, a stomach gurgling, mouth dripping hug. It had a vintage American diner look with dark wooden benches, chocolate leather seats and light surroundings. The walls adorned with Marylin’s portraits were more than a little bit creepy, but hunger conquers all.

Monroe’s Burgers & Beers

Best damn wine bar ever

Sadly, a soon as we’d arrived, we were quickly shown the door once again to wait for a table in forty minutes time. Grrrrrrrrrrr! Where’s that pint?! F*ck the pint, let’s go to a swanky-yet-industrially-designed-to-not-intimidate wine bar instead. Best, decision, ever.

Grace Burn Wine Room

The wine bar’s tucked into an unassuming corner just visible from the high street, with world class wines and residency chefs. As soon as we walked in, fluffy hats, walking clothes and boots, we immediately felt out of place regardless of the well throught-out decor.

Our motley forest crew

Our sommelier was very welcoming and was happy to educate us through their selective wine list. We ordered olives and a bottle of...something awesome, which I can’t quite recall the name of.

Wine, as may be obvious, isn’t ordinarily my poison of choice. I find red wine especially troublesome the morning after, so I tend to stay away. But this wine was truly delicious! It had a light, soothing flavour that was delightfully addictive. I highly recommend this place if you ever find yourself breezing through Healesville.

And the clouds doth part

By the time we’d polished off the entire bottle of wine, we were more than ready for some hearty burgers.

Monroe’s has a wide selection of burgers for all tastes, and it was the only place that offered vegan alternatives (I was completetly plant-based at the time). But that’s all I can really say about it. Kudos for our waiter though, who had the patience of a god; she came back and forth between us and the kitchen to ensure all the burgers we ordered catered to our dietary requirements and/or choices.

As soon as we finished smashing the burgers down, we jumped in the car and hunted for a forest trail!

---

---

Other things to do in the Yarra Valley

Four Pillars Distillery
A gateway to finding out about how they make this delicious gin, yes please!

Healesville Sanctuary
A great place to see some of the animals Australia is famous for, and grasp an understanding of their conservation efforts.

Yarra Valley Winery Tours
The Yarra Valley offers a wide range of wineries, local breweries and restaurants, if I were you, I’d be filling my boots!

Puffing Billy Steam Train
Whether its a trip around the lush forests with your legs dangling out, or a dining experience with a difference, the Puffing Billy just looks way too fun!

Source

Until next time,
Lali
@thewam

---

Feel the love

If you’ve enjoyed this post please follow, upvote, comment and/or resteem. I am but a fledgling minnow lost in the steem ocean!

Other posts you might like

Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Melbourne
Don’t get ripped off! Get paid correctly in Australia on a working holiday visa