10 Things to do in Yarra Valley That You Shouldn't Miss

Healesville Sanctuary, in the heart of the Yarra Valley, is world-renowned as the best place to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. Set in a beautiful natural environment, the Sanctuary offers a place for people and animals to reconnect with nature from creek to canopy, and plays a critical role in saving some of the world's most endangered animals. Explore the 70 acre bushland haven to experience close-up encounters with some of Australia's unique and endearing wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypus. Visitors are also free to explore the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, a working vetinary hospital treating over 1500 orphaned, ill or injured wildlife every year. The expert team shares the journey of animal rescue, rehabilitation and release with the Sanctuary's visitors. Don't miss: Spirits of the Sky: A free flight presentation featuring Australian raptors such as the Wedge Tailed Eagle, and colourful parrot species. Tales from Platypus Creek: Come face-to-face with Healesville Sanctuary's most iconic species in a world-first interactive Platypus show. Observe Platypus as they interact with keepers, play in the water and even enjoy having their tummies tickled! Wade with the Platypus: In this world-first, hands-on experience it will be your turn to be the Platypus keeper. You will have the opportunity to step into the shallow water of the 'Platypus play pool' where it's normally the keeper's job to play, frolic, tickle and feed our little furry friends.

PUFFING BILLY OPERATES DAILY (except Christmas Day). Puffing Billy is Australia’s favourite steam train and one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world. This century-old steam train continues to run on its original mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges 40kms east of Melbourne. Puffing Billy was built to serve at the turn of the century and is a genuine relic of our more leisurely days. The Railway is the major survivor of four experimental lines used to develop rural areas in the early 1900s. Puffing Billy Railway is now a major tourist attraction and operates every day except Christmas Day, thanks to the tireless efforts of more than 600 dedicated volunteers.

TarraWarra Museum of Art will reopen to the public on 28 November with 'Looking Glass: Judy Watson and Yhonnie Scarce'. Tickets now on sale via twma.com.au. We can't wait to welcome you back! TarraWarra Museum of Art is located in the beautiful Yarra Valley region, just one hour's drive from Melbourne. Throughout each year the Museum presents seasonally changing exhibitions within an award-winning building set in the rolling hills of the natural landscape. Since opening in 2003, the Museum has become recognised as a cultural jewel of the Yarra Valley, providing visitors with an enjoyable and inspiring experience which combines stunning architecture with the very best of Australian and international modern and contemporary art.

Lillydale Lake is open at all times and has a range of facilities and activities to suit everyone, including an all-abilities playground, outdoor fitness station, walking tracks, wetlands, fishing jetties, BBQ's, picnic shelters, sandy beach areas and public toilets. Come along and have a picnic or barbecue, take a walk around the 28 hectare lake, or watch your children enjoy the sandy beaches and expansive lawns. Entry is free.

Birdsland is a 75ha bushland reserve located in Belgrave South. The reserve is home to many native animals and birds, including platypus. Birdsland is a great spot for a picnic or bush walk, with it's walking tracks, BBQ's and 28ha retarding basin. There is also an environmental education centre on site where our Environment team share important information about conservation and sustainable living with local school children.Park opens at 7.30am daily. Closing times vary seasonally, please check signs at park entrance for closing time.

Beautiful seven acre display garden in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Featuring seven distinct garden areas, with seasonal displays. Extensive plant nursery with interesting and unusual plants. Café with great coffee and Devonshire teas and cakes.

This former timber yard has been transformed into a fully functioning gin distillery over 700 square metres, featuring our two German sister-stills Wilma and Jude, (and soon their miniature sister Eileen) and a new hospitality space showcasing the many facets of gin. At the Distillery Door you'll find all styles of Four Pillars Gins for tasting and sale, a long copper bar serving paddles of G&T three ways, design-your-own Negronis, Ginger Mules (gin and ginger beer), really good nuts and olives, gin-steamed marmalade on toast, great coffee and even beer and wine if you ask real nice. We have seating both inside and out and also regularly host masterclasses run by our distiller and Healesville local, Cameron Mackenzie, the heart and soul of Four Pillars Gin. Details of our next masterclasses and events are always available on our Facebook page and on our website. Four Pillars Gin launched in December 2013 and has gone on to win a swag of awards at home and around the globe.