Belinda Kerr is Tourism and Business Development Officer at the Marysville Visitor Information Centre, so she knows a thing or two about the best places in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. We asked her to share some of her secret favourites with us so you can get the most out of your visit to the region.
What is Marysville’s best hidden treasure?
There are so many great reasons to visit Marysville; from Bruno’s Sculpture Garden, Stephenson’s Falls, the boutique stores in town, delicious meals at our local restaurants and cafes and some brilliant nature walks or bike trails. There are plenty of ways to fill a day trip or weekend away.
Our best hidden treasure is something that is free and accessible to every single one of our visitors. We were thrilled to have been named as having the second best water, not only in Australia but the world, at this year’s Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition.
Next time you find yourself in town, be sure to fill up a water bottle or two and enjoy our award-winning H2O.
What is your ideal day out in the Yarra Ranges?
One of the best days I have had out in the Yarra Ranges recently was grabbing a couple of friends and heading out to Launching Place for an hour or two at the Archery Park, checking out the stalls at the Yarra Glen Racecourse Market; then, capping it all off with a lazy afternoon gin at Four Pillars Distillery in Healesville.
What are the top five must-see attractions of the region?
For myself, I would recommend visiting the following top five attractions on your trip the Yarra Ranges:
1. Stephenson’s Falls in Marysville; being one of the tallest falls in all of Victoria, with a 122m descent and a clear drop of 21m, it is a must see if you are visiting the Yarra Ranges.
2. The Yarra River at Warburton is one of my favourite places to visit for a picnic. The scenery is beautiful and the riverbank is a perfect place to spend a summer afternoon and cool off with a dip, or bring your lilo and float around for an hour or two.
3. The Pirianda Gardens in Olinda are beautiful all year round. You can easily fill in half a day walking the paths throughout the garden. Autumn is my favourite time to visit, with the colours of the trees turning to a spectacular orange.
4. Berry farms! Throughout the entire region during spring and summer, there is the opportunity to visit one of many berry farms and pick your own berries! Such a fun thing to do. You won’t ever have tasted a berry better than one you have picked yourself.
5. The Black Spur was recently listed as one of Victorias best drives. This is the road that links the Yarra Ranges to Marysville and the Murrindindi Region.
Winding its way up the Great Dividing Range through a dense forest of tall mountain ash trees, the scenery is beautiful as you make your way through the Spur.
What do you like the most about living in the Yarra Ranges?
After living in the Yarra Ranges now for four years, I couldn’t ever see myself living anywhere else. Each town and region has such a strong sense of community, the scenery is beautiful, delicious local produce is always available at markets and farm gates, and we live among some of the best wineries in the Australia! What’s not to love.
What does it mean to you to be a member of this region?
Even before moving to the region, I has always been passionate about the Yarra Ranges. Being a member and being able to help promote the region that I love is amazing, as well as working closely with members of the community that feel the same way. Working at the Marysville Lake Mountain Information Centre, we get to provide guests with the information and tips that can help make their stay one to remember.
