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What's Happening in the Hills
Here are a few things happening in the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley which should not be missed, visit these while you are here, or plan to make a special trip and stay for the occasion
Tulip Festival 11th September to 8th October 2008
You can experience more than a million spring flowering bulbs, 65 varieties of tulips, people dressed in Dutch costume, wooden clogs, great food and daily entertainment. Delight in the magic of spring at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. Tulip Festival Website.
Gembrook Open Gardenfest 12th October 2008
The third Gembrook Gardenfest will take place on Sunday between 10am and 5pm. Five gardens including 4 larger country gardens will be open to the public varying from cottage themes, colorful exotic Rhododendrons and Camellias to waterwise natives. Meet at the CFA Building, Innes Rd Gembrook to purchase a garden pass to all five gardens for just $10 per person. All proceeds to CFA. For a poster on the event click here.
Kids Fun Run with Thomas in Gembrook 16th November 2008
The only Kids fun run with Thomas in the world is for under 12 years old and is getting more and more popular and obviously heaps of fun. For more details and an entry form go to the Kids Fun Run with Thomas Website.
Gembrook Market - Fourth Sunday of every Month
Gembrook Market promotes sustainable living and many of its 90+
stall holders are artisans and craftspeople who have created unique items from recycled materials. Purchase home grown produce including some wonderful gourmet foods. Only an hours drive from Melbourne, soak up
the atmosphere of this little country hamlet, walk to shops, parks, tearooms, cafes, and Puffing Billy, it is all on the doorstep! Markets held between 9am and 3pm Gembrook Market Website.
Carols in the Hills
Come and join the Christmas Celebrations in the Hills. Gembrook will be holding its popular
annual Carols in the Park in JAC Russell Park next to the Puffing Billy Station Saturday 22 December starting 6.30pm. Or There are the Cockatoo Community Carols by Candlelight Friday 21 December starting 8pm in
the Alma Treloar Reserve with A Picnic before. And of course the Emerald Carols By Candlelight Friday 14 December Commencing 8.30pm with the Emerald Village Picnic starting at 5.30pm at Worrel Reserve.
Yarra Valley Grape Grazing - 14th 15th February 2009
The Yarra Valley plays host to a weekend full of fun and
frivolity. The Festival spans the Valley taking in 25 wineries, with a focus on beautifully crafted wine, superb food and the deluxe sounds of world-class musicians. Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Website.
Tom Quilty Gold Cup 14th to 21st September 2009
Come and be part of the National Endurance Riding Championship of Australia held at Tonimbuk. More than 4000 Enthusiasts are expected to take part in one way or another. For more information check the Tom Quilty 2009 Website .
Kurth Kiln Heritage Festival 6th April 2008
This once a year event at the historic Charcoal Kiln near Gembrook in the Dandenong Ranges won the 2005 Cardinia Shire Event of the Year award. There are activities planned such as Horse shoeing and Black smithing, Bullock teams, shearing and other entertainment. For more information go to Friends of Kurth Kiln Website.
PAVE Festival (Performing And Visual arts in Emerald) - 4th to 13th April 2008
9 days of live performances, activities, courses, workshops, shows. Planned events include: Art Show, Gemco Theatre Performances, Live Music in Emerald Cafes, Spoken Word and Poetry, Writers
Workshop, Cartooning, Photography Competition, Guinness World Record Attempt . PAVE Festival Website.
The Great Train Race - 4th May 2008
Race against Puffing Billy's Big Brother G42 and see if you can beat
Australia's world famous veteran steam train, as thousands of runners have previously in this popular annual event. The variety of mountain scenery, the alternating stretches of uphill and downhill winding
roads and tracks combine with the sounds of the competing train and several crossings of the Railway to provide an enjoyable challenge for runners of all ages. The Event runs from Belgrave via Selby, Menzies
Creek and Clematis to Emerald Lake Puffing Billy Website.
Emerald Winterfest 27th July 2008
This once a year festival in the Main Street of Emerald is full of Family fun and entertainment. Browse the many stalls and visit the famous Emerald Bakery Emerald Winterfest Website.
Where to Eat and What to see
Forest Edge 2905 Launching Place Rd, Gembrook - Telephone (03) 5967 7007
- A La Carte Dining in a lovely spacious environment with fantastic views. Open Friday and Saturday Nights and Saturday and
Sunday Lunch. Highly recommended for great food and great service.
The Ranges Hotel and Motel Telephone (03) 5968 1220 Map5
- Enjoy your meal and a quiet drink in this century-old Hotel. In the summer relax on the decking and watch native birds
feed. In the winter, warm yourself by the open fires. Lunch and dinner: Thur, Frid, Sat, Sun. Open School Holidays and Public Holidays. This is a place of history and you will feel it as soon as you enter
the door.
- Charlotte's Tea Rooms Telephone (03) 5968 1758 Map22
- Adjacent to its own plant nursery Charlotte's has an interesting craft shop displaying the many talents of the local
community. Its tea room offers Devonshire teas and light lunches in the restaurant or in the garden. Licensed B.Y.O. Lovely old world hospitality. Wood fire for cold days. Charlotte's is open seven days
from 10am to 4,30 pm.
- Puffing Billy Town Station Tel: (03) 5968 1627 Map2
- This new facility, built on the site of a former goods yard in the center of Gembrook, is the terminus of the Puffing Billy
line from Belgrave. which was reopened in 1998. Inside the station you can purchase light snacks, ice-creams and refreshments as well as choosing from a wide range of gifts and souvenirs. There is ample
parking space and a beautiful picnic park (with barbeque facilities) immediately adjacent.
- Buy freshly baked bread, rolls, delicious cakes, quiches and everything you would expect from a village home-baking bakery.
- Gembrook Fernery Restaurant and Old Mac's Takeaway Tel: (03) 5968 1855 Map12
- This old building is a legend of the logging and prospecting pioneers who built Gembrook. Seeped in the history
of the entertainment and relaxation of the hard working community the store still retains its character even after all the years.
- Fully modernised and air-conditioned for your comfort, Gembrook Fernery offers a wide choice of delicious restaurant meals,
freshly prepared while you wait in fascinating surroundings; either inside the licensed restaurant or outside in the fernery gardens where you can watch the many varieties of birds.
- Blackwood Lane Gallery and Gardens Tel: (03) 5968 1567 Map25
- Sue Jarvis is a well known, talented and award winning artist. Her gallery is a custom built accommodation for many of her
artworks. Her paintings and drawings range through various media according to her subjects and a visit to her studio/gallery is well worth your time. The gallery is within a short distance of Gembrook town
center. Take this rare opportunity to visit an artist in her own studio which is set in a beautiful background of a delightful garden.
- Located in a beautiful, unspoiled, natural bush setting at Tomahawk Creek, this historic building is well worth a visit.
Apart from its historical interest, its location near to the flowing creek where you will find barbeque and toilet facilities will make the visit a family treat. Start your barbeque and be delighted by the
sudden presence of several, very interested kookaburras. Weekend camping or just picnicking is an absolutely magical experience.
- The historic center of the area is a brick built Charcoal Kiln built in the early 40's. Information on its purpose and
history are available at the site.
- Other things to see or do
- For a longer walk or drive try the Bunyip State Park. There are a number of picnic grounds and great spots with views. Or
there is Ship Rock Falls. Further Information on these are available from the Parks Victoria office or the Kurth Kiln Picnic grounds.
- Gembrook District Map
How about listening to local Radio? 3MDR 97.1- Local Radio covering the Dandenong & Yarra Ranges, Southern Suburbs, Mornington Peninsula, Port Philip & Western Port Bays,
Geelong, Ballarat & Castlemaine, North along the Hume Hwy, Inner City Melbourne & South East into Gippsland. Live Web Streaming available.
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