By KATH GANNAWAY
IF THE glint of sunlight flashing off the chrome of a classic Chrysler gets your motor revving, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges region has plenty of horse-power on show over summer.
Car and bike shows, along with car club rallies, bring thousands of people into the region every year and while there’s a lot of under the bonnet turbo gazing, spit and polish, and swapping stories of piston passion at these events, visitors don’t have to be rev-heads to enjoy a summer car show.
Spectacular hot rods, classic, custom and vintage cars and bikes are the star attractions but these shows, which are run by locals to benefit local community groups, are geared to appeal to a broad demographic – particularly families.
‘Family friendly’ means everyone from toddlers to granddads with row after row of magnificent machines, music, children’s entertainment and activities, and fantastic food on offer.
The Wandin Car and Bike Show draws huge crowds from October through to March at the Wandin East Reserve.
The event is held on the third Wednesday of the month and the locals embrace it as a chance to get together, appreciate the colour and spectacle of the main attraction, have a bite to eat and kick back to a band as the sun slowly disappears below the tree-line.
For visitors, it’s a charming taste of country hospitality.
The annual Mountain District Car and Bike Show, now in its eighth year, is a turbo-powered one-day event which is held each March in Healesville.
The amphitheatre at the Don Road Sporting Complex is an ideal exhibition space for the swarms of vehicles with plenty of room for the live music, food, market stalls and children’s activities.
The organisers of this event also run the Monbulk Late Night Shopping Cruise bringing the main street to life on the second Wednesday each month through until March.
Stroll, browse, buy and drool (and that’s just the cars)! The local RSL is open on the night with a live band.
A very different type of car show, also growing in popularity, is the Black Saturday Remembrance Cruise in February.
Join the cruise from Lilydale or go along to view the cars at the Healesville Historic Railway precinct Live music, train rides and food and drink are also on offer, with a pause for the Remembrance Ceremony at 5.30pm.
The mechanics of it
Wandin Car and Bike Show
Wandin East Reserve
Wednesdays – 18 December, 15 January, 19 February and 19 March
6pm – 9pm.
Contact: Cindy 0423 354 217.
Black Saturday Remembrance Cruise
Lilydale to Healesville Railway Precinct
Saturday 1 February
3pm from Lilydale/4pm at Healesville.
Contact: Stacey 0421 321 203 or visit bsrcruise@yahoo.com.au.
Mountain District Car and Bike Show
Don Road Sporting Complex, Healesville
Sunday 16 March
10am-4pm
Contact: Jacqueline 9737 9660 or visit www.mdcbs.com.
Monbulk Late Night Shopping Cruise
Main Street, Monbulk
Wednesdays – 11 December, 8 January, 12 February and 12 March.
6pm-9pm
Contact: Jacqueline 9737 9660
