By Jesse Graham
IT was the game that sent thousands of people flocking to Lillydale Lake day and night to try and catch ‘em all.
But there are plenty of places around the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges to explore for budding Pokemon Hunters – or people just after a scenic day out.
Pokemon Go was launched for smartphones and tablets earlier in the year. The game uses maps and GPS to allow players in any area to hunt and catch Pokemon, creatures from the famous Nintendo series that battle one another.
The purpose of the game is to catch every Pokemon, train them and help them to evolve into stronger forms – then use them to battle other trainers at “gyms”.
The gyms in the game are dotted around landmarks in towns, and the game requires players to move in the real world to move on the screen – Pokemon appear randomly in different areas, which must be explored by walking around.
The Yarra Ranges made headlines because of the game, with the rare Pokemon Dratini found commonly around Lillydale Lake – though they are now less common, the spot is still ripe with rare creatures and is easy for people of all fitness types to wander in search of them.
The game also uses landmarks and locations as “Pokestops”, where players can replenish supplies, such as Pokeballs, which are used to catch Pokemon.
The kind of Pokemon found in the game varies by the areas visited – walking through the forests near Sherbrooke Falls, players might find more grass or bug-type Pokemon, while water-type Pokemon can be found at beaches and rivers.
Though much as been written about unaware players coming to misfortune, players do not have to walk around gazing at their screen to play – as the character moves across the screen, the phone or device will vibrate when encountering Pokemon.
Whether you’re a young player, starting out for the first time, or a nostalgic adult who played the original GameBoy games, Pokemon Go can add an extra layer of adventure to wandering the scenery of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
