Lose yourself ... Yarra Valley vineyards at Healesville,Victoria.Credit:Getty Images
Lose yourself in the food and wine of the Yarra Valley - and walk with the birds when you're done,writes Lee Atkinson.
Why go?
A popular weekend getaway spot since the railway came to town in the 1890s,Healesville is on the western edge of the Yarra Valley about an hour's drive from Melbourne. It's a food and wine lovers destination that also offers plenty to see and do that doesn't involve eating and drinking,with wildlife,art and scenic drives topping the list.
What it's known for
Healesville's most famous attraction is the Healesville Sanctuary,which was first established in 1934. Not just another zoo,this conservation park is home to more than 200 species of Australian wildlife,all housed in open-air and open-range exhibits.
Highlights include the birds of prey flight demonstrations,a daily reptile show and the Platypusary,where you can tickle Australia's most elusive monotreme on a"wade with platypus tour"(daily,1pm,$180). The sanctuary also looks after more than 2000 rescued animals each year and you can watch the vets and keepers caring for these sick and injured animals.
The sanctuary is open daily,9am-5pm. Adults $26.10,under 16s free on weekends and during Victorian school holidays,$12.90 at other times (kids under 4 free).zoo.org.au/healesville.
What you didn't know ...
TarraWarra Museum of Art is one of the hidden gems of the Yarra Valley. Housing one of the most significant collections of modern Australian art,this private gallery includes works by outstanding Australian artists from 1950 onward,displayed in a series of seasonal exhibitions (including the Archibald Prize finalists for the past two years) in a stunningly designed gallery space,where even the view is framed as art.