By Kath Gannaway
Take a hike!
Yarra Glen and surrounds are ideally suited to a leisurely stroll. With a network of trails that take you from the town stroll down by the wetlands, along the Yarra River trail or hide out for some birdwatching on the Yarra Flats Billabongs walk. If gardens are your thing, a walk around the magnificent Allowyn Gardens are a joy, especially in spring.
Cafe culture: Winning wines!
Yarra Glen is at the heart of Yarra Ranges’s great food and wine culture with cosy cafes and winning wineries. Pop into Yering Station winery for the oldest and longest-running farmers market, held in the heritage barn on the third Sunday of the month. Whether it’s a leisurely breakfast cafe-style, a formal dining experience or a discovery tour of the area’s many award-winning wineries, Yarra Glen is a mecca for food-lovers.
Delve into antiquity!
Take a trip down memory lane, marvel at the beauty and design of yesteryear or find that long sought-after collectible. If you live in anticipation of another episode of Antiques Road Show, live the dream … Yarra Glen has its own antiques road show with several well-established antique and collectible shops along Bell Street.
Odds-on favourite
There’s no better time to visit Yarra Valley Racing than in the spring. Pack a picnic, throw out a rug on the lawn or set up under a big umbrella and experience the friendly, country atmosphere of a day at the races. With fashions on the field, kids’ activities, live music, great food, and the opportunity to get up close to the action on the track, you can bet you’ll have a great day at the Yarra Glen races.
Play up a little
Locals love their award-winning adventure playground … but they’re happy to share. Families come from across Melbourne to spend a day at McKenzie Reserve with equipment to challenge all ages. The adjacent skate park is great for older kids. The park is designed to be accessible for all abilities, including a $700,000 state of the art special needs toilet. McKenzie Reserve is on the corner at Bell Street and Anzac Avenue.
