By REBECCA BILLS
It is a highway filled with rich history, quaint country living and glorious wineries.
That highway is the Warburton Highway and as the autumn canopy evolves, so does the atmosphere of the many towns that the highway passes through.
Travelling from Lilydale, Wandin North is the first town that visitors will go through and is the perfect place to stop and kick around the footy at the oval or enjoy a freshly brewed coffee at one of the cafés.
Following on from Wandin North is the town of Seville.
Seville’s new Waterplay Park is great place for a family picnic on an autumn day and even though the water jets are not on after March, there is still plenty of fun to be had.
Built specifically with young children and families in mind, the free park is open all year round.
And for the adults, Whispering Hills, Wild Cattle Creek and Killara Estate are all located along the Warburton Highway through Seville and let visitors indulge in the picturesque surrounds with a glass of perfection.
After going through Seville, travellers come to the vibrant town of Woori Yallock – an attractive natural setting surrounded by an extensive rural catchment.
It is thought that the name ‘Woori Yallock’ is derived from Aboriginal words meaning ‘running creek’ or ‘plenty water’.
Running on from Woori Yallock is the town of Launching Place that dates back to the early 1800s.
It was at this time that boats where launched into the Yarra River to travel upstream to the goldfields of Gippsland and Woods Point – thus gaining the name Launching Place.
Along the highway from Woori Yallock to Yarra Junction there is a range of diverse and unique retail businesses to be explored.
Yarra Junction is also a great stop off for those travelling in from town looking for a beautiful bed and breakfast escape.
Offering an array of five star accommodation along the highway, the centre of town has many shops that can be perused and walking tracks to be explored.
Following on from Yarra Junction is the town of Milgrove.
Since the early 1900s Milgrove has been predominately a timber-milling and agricultural town.
Although Milgrove has a limited mix of businesses, the neighbouring towns along the highway meet more of the retail options for visitors and residents.
A big focal point of the town is the Milgrove Wood Products Sawmil that has been in business for more than 21 years.
The fully operational sawmil manages a selective harvesting of trees, logs, milling and creating products of varying sizes and configurations.
As visitors keep travelling down the highway, they will feel the sense of wellbeing envelop them as they arrive in Warburton.
The lush town, which is surrounded by tall forests of mountain ash, is just 65 kilometres east of the Melbourne CBD and is adorned by quirky and unique shops.
In 1905, the arrival of Adventists to the area brought several industries that have supported the local community for many years.
These included the Sanitarium Health Food Company, Signs Publishing Company and the Warburton Health Care Centre and hospital.
However following their closure many residents have left the area.
Nonetheless the idyllic and quaint feel of the town has generated renewed interest from weekenders and day trippers from around the state.
