Next trip: 

Sunday 02 November 2025

(Local Market Day)

Choose the places you want to visit and spend as much time there as you wish. The shuttle will pick up and drop off at no extra cost.

Entry fees to attractions (if any) are not included.

Healesville is well known for the Healesville Sanctuary, a nature park with hundreds of native Australian animals displayed in a semi-open natural setting and an active platypus breeding program.

The Yarra Valley Railway operates from Healesville Station on every Sunday and  most public holidays.

Healesville has been a tourist destination since the 1880s, with the Grand Hotel built in 1888, and the 60-room Gracedale House in 1889.

In modern times Healesville has become a major centre for tourism based around the wine and food industries of the Yarra Valley, with attractions including Healesville Sanctuary, Yarra Valley Railway, Healesville Organic Market, Maroondah Reservoir, spectacular Revells Water Falls (weather dependent), numerous cafes and restaurants.

🌿   Maroondah Reservoir: A Heritage Haven in the Hills.

Nestled in the forested folds of the Yarra Ranges, Maroondah Reservoir is more than just a water source—it's a tranquil escape steeped in history and natural beauty. Built in the 1920s, the reservoir’s graceful stonework and sweeping lawns evoke a bygone era of civic pride and engineering elegance.

Highlights for Visitors:

• Scenic Lookouts: The reservoir wall offers panoramic views of the water framed by towering mountain ash and lush fern gullies.

• Heritage Gardens: Wander through manicured gardens dotted with ornamental trees, picnic spots, and seasonal blooms.

• Walking Trails: Choose from gentle strolls to more immersive forest walks, including the Henderson’s Hill Track and the Maroondah Forest Track.

• Birdwatching & Wildlife: Keep an eye out for lyrebirds, rosellas, and wallabies in the surrounding bushland.

💧   Ravells Falls: A Hidden Cascade in the Forest.

Tucked away in the ferny depths near Healesville, Ravells Falls is a lesser-known gem that rewards the curious explorer. This modest but enchanting waterfall tumbles over mossy rocks into a shaded gully, surrounded by cool temperate rainforest.

What Makes It Special:

• Intimate Setting: Unlike larger waterfalls, Ravells Falls offers a quiet, almost secretive atmosphere—perfect for reflection or photography.

• Accessible Adventure: The short walk to the falls is suitable for most fitness levels, with interpretive signage and forest views along the way.

• Seasonal Flow: Best visited after rain or in spring, when the falls are at their most lively and the forest hums with life.

🚂 Yarra Valley Railway: A Journey Through Time and Vineyards.

Step aboard a lovingly restored heritage train and glide through the heart of Victoria’s wine country. The Yarra Valley Railway offers a nostalgic ride along the historic Healesville line, with sweeping views of rolling vineyards, bushland, and charming countryside.

• Departs from Healesville Station, a beautifully preserved 1901 building.

• Vintage carriages evoke the golden age of rail travel.

• Scenic route includes bridges, tunnels, and glimpses of local wildlife.

🦘 Healesville Sanctuary: Up Close with Aussie Wildlife.

Set in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Healesville Sanctuary is a bushland haven where visitors can meet Australia’s most iconic animals in their natural setting. From koalas and kangaroos to platypuses and emus, the sanctuary offers intimate encounters, engaging keeper talks, and conservation stories that inspire.

Perfect for families, nature lovers, and curious travellers, it’s a place to connect with wildlife, breathe in the eucalyptus air, and support vital efforts to protect Australia’s native species.

🧺 Healesville Market: A Sunday Showcase of Local Life.

Held on the first Sunday of each month, the Healesville Market is a vibrant celebration of Yarra Valley creativity, community, and country charm. Set against the scenic backdrop of Coronation Park, this open-air market brings together over 60 stalls offering handmade crafts, fresh produce, gourmet treats, and vintage treasures.

• Artisan stalls feature ceramics, textiles, woodwork, and jewellery.
• Local growers sell seasonal fruits, veggies, honey, and preserves.

🍸Gin Distillery: Craft Spirits.

It's a world-renowned gin distillery blending bold Australian botanicals with sleek, contemporary style. Visitors can enjoy guided tastings, seasonal cocktails, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the art of gin-making—all in a buzzing, design-forward space.

It’s a must-stop for spirit lovers, offering a sensory journey from citrus groves to copper stills, right in the heart of the Yarra Valley.

On the way back to Melbourne we stop at  The Chocolate Factory or a  Winery. (Great to see even if not buying anything!)

Convenient Pickup Locations

9:00am 1st Pickup -FOOTSCRAY TRAIN STATION South entrance Cnr Hyde & Bunbury Streets.

9:15am 2nd Pickup - Front of 361 QUEEN Street CBD Victoria Market End.

9:30am 3rd Pickup - FEDERATION SQUARE CBD - Cnr Flinders & Russell Streets Bus pickup zone.

Leaving Yarra Valley back to Melbourne at 4:00pm.

Click Here for detailed maps & photos of pickup locations.