Top Things to do in Eltham
10 Things to Do in Eltham That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Eltham, Australia including Diamond Valley Railway, Westerfolds park, Heide Museum of Modern Art, WaterMarc, Montmorency Park, Petty's Orchard Shop, Petrie Park, Edendale Community Environment Farm, Candlebark park, Poulter Avenue Reserve.
Restaurants in Eltham
1. Diamond Valley Railway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By phebianMelbourne - Melbourne
Brought our 5 year old grand-daughter here (and her older sister) for a birthday treat. After a reasonably long ride around corners, through stations, across Bridges and through tunnels; we asked our birthday girl what she wanted to do next. The reply was
"Please may we do it again, but on another train." We did and they were just as excited the second time around. What a fantastic place! There are picnic facilities, a children's playground, horse rides, and a van that sells enormous gelati ice creams!. Definitely worth a visit.
2. Westerfolds park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 20 reviews
3. Heide Museum of Modern Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By Traveller88Melbourne - Melbourne
Donated to the State in early 80s by the free loving, partner swapping, bohemian well heeled couple John & Sunday Reed - this museum of Modern art is avant garde, modernist, experimental..etc..etc. So if you are are a classicist- don't come here! Entry into outdoor sprawling park with sculptures is free but fee into the various buildings incl the Reeds' Homestead where artworks are displayed is steep for a state owned Museum. Check website for prices, times & once you print/purchase the ticket - keep it to show Museum staff as you enter the separate buildings esp. the Homestead located near main entrance.
Current exhibition - Sidney "Nolan at the Newsagent" is juvenile smears of paint on various medium that the penurious artist had to make do before he became the renowned painter of Bushranger Ned Kelley. Err..r- if you are into this type of thing. Have seen Ned Kelley series at Canberra Nat gallery - not my cuppa either. School kids do a great job replicating this I reckon!
I got my money's worth mesmerised by Albert Tucker's "Australian Stories". Loved the open plan style of Heide II & the various mediums of artwork displayed here. Jenny Watson's "fabric of fantasy" ..er..rr... art especially modern art is definitely in the eye of the beholder!! You will need at least 3 hours to take it in - both indoor exhibits & the outdoor areas - a lot to cover. The grounds slope down towards meandering murky Yarra river at the back, with a steep gully near the Homestead & nice views.
My first visit here by 903 bus from Chadstone Shopping Centre - 1 hr ride one way getting on about 9.30 am, just for the fun of it! Concession card holders get a free ride on Sunday (pardon the pun).
Park has interesting sculptures scattered around. The corrugated iron cows grazing in the "meadow" will fool you for the real thing, great place for a walk if you have the time - bring a picnic & enjoy the day out. Wheelchair & pram friendly. Various Gardens & winding paths but undercover shelters are limited - no Bbq. Extensive free parking - there are more parking areas further along Banksia Park. Had hot choc at the Cafe - bit watery but friendly service. Yup - will come again & spend more time exploring the park.
4. WaterMarc
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 78 reviews
WaterMarc is the largest indoor aquatic and leisure facility in the northern region of Victoria with two giant water slides! Other features include a huge water play space including a 'zero depth' play area and an aquatic adventure playground with activity features. WaterMarc have a 50 metre lap pool, which can be converted into two 25 metre pools, a learn to swim pool, a leisure/toddler pool, as well as a warm water program pool, spa, steam room and sauna. WaterMarc also offers a health club (gym), three group exercise studios, personal training, swimming lessons, childcare and a cafe.
Reviewed By William S - Melbourne, Australia
I am a fairly new member and look forward to my workout and relaxation at WaterMarc, because it is a one-stop venue for health and fitness, and for a relaxing spa, sauna and steam room. The management are also quite responsive to suggestions and requests for maintenance and repairs, with every effort made to satisfy customers. The venue is busy on hot days but this is mainly the main pool area. If you use the gym then pick your time to avoid the evening rush around tea time. The gym is well equipped and good for a source of motivation to lose weight or get fit. You can book a session with one of the gym fitness staff to make sure that you are using the equipment to your best advantage. The spa is busy in the early evenings and is popular so you do not always get a spot straight away. If the spa is full I head for the sauna and more often than not I catch up with my gym buddies. I really look forward to my fitness workout followed by a pampering in the spa, and get fantastic value for money by using the facility 4-5 times a week. That works it to a couple of dollars a visit!
5. Montmorency Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Victorianlad - Melbourne, Australia
Although most know this large reserve because it has sporting ovals, of more significance is how the Plenty River runs through it.
Hence there is some beautiful natural bushland full of local eucalypts that attracts birds such as brush wattlebirds, magpies, rainbow lorikeets and even - if you look hard enough - the occasional silvereye or blue wren.
It makes a very pleasant half day out. There are BBQs.
6. Petty's Orchard Shop
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Mei Y - Nullagine, Australia
We kept missing the days they are operating . Now that I made it, are they as good as advertised as the number 1 thing to do in TEMPLESTOWE. I had to check it out!
Occupying a large prime real estate in Templestowe, with access to the Mullum Mullum Creek trail, this farm looks tired and run down, all to preserve history! The whole place looks ancient. It is such a luxury in this hot real estate world to preserve things as they were. The in ground cafe had nice outdoor setting to chill out. It sells farm produce at a big price though! The yellow nectarines were $6 per kg while the green and red one is $9/kg!
The tahini smoothie was warmish rather than cold for $9. At 4pm on Saturday 29/1, there were more staff than visitors! As it turns out, the cafe does not have commercial kitchen. All cakes and pies are delivered. The best part of my visit was the flourless walnut cake.
Will I come again? For the history, for the effort to preserve, for the coffee and pies I have not tried, I will bring friends while this history is still alive!
7. Petrie Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
8. Edendale Community Environment Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Edendale Community and Environment Farm is a key destination for Nillumbik residents and visitors. The site provides a range of important social and environmental benefits through environmental education, raising awareness about sustainable lifestyles, growing and selling indigenous plants and as a place to meet, learn skills and participate through volunteering. Originally part of a 51 acre site first purchased from The Crown in 1852 by pioneer Henry Stooke, the site has now been transformed into a vibrant community environment centre which delivers a wide range of environmental and sustainability based programs. There are so many fun and informative activities all year round at Edendale including meeting our animals, visiting the Indigenous plant nursery, exploring the Gardens and artwork, or enjoying a coffee at Café Eden.
Reviewed By lynn19 - Melbourne
i visited the farm with my grandchildren who live in the UK. What a gem! It's small enough for young children to roam around. They enjoyed feeding the goats, climbing trees and checking out the other animals, although the Turkey turned them off turkeys for life. There were plenty of grassed areas for free play and I would have liked to visit the house, but I am not sure if it opens to the public.
I was very impressed with the food caravan.
Fleshly cooked food served on real China in the farmyard! My grandsons 2 & 4 rated the cup cakes very highly especially as they had sprinkles on them. Our visit was just prior to Christmas and the farm was winding down for the holidays, but it was still very impressive. Hopefully I can take the boys back on next Aussie visit.
9. Candlebark park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By JohnG3121 - Greater Melbourne, Australia
I really love this park (as I do with the majority of the parks along the Yarra). It's close to the diamond valley railway and connected to the equally good westerfold park. The name of the park (candlebark) comes from the candlebark trees that used to be common along the Yarra. This park is one of the few remaining spots where they are common. You will also see a lot of Manna gums. The highlight is the abundance of fauna especially kangaroos
10. Poulter Avenue Reserve
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Victorianlad - Melbourne, Australia
This medium sized reserve is a short walk from the Greensborough railway station.
It has an oval presumably used for Australian Rules football and cricket but I was interested in walking among the eucalypts and other native vegetation.
This was pleasant as the day was sunny but not hot at 25 degrees.
