mamma loves the yarra valley
/ Mamma Erin
Mamma loves where she lives and how many family friendly treasures that have been found nearby. Maroondah is bursting at the seams of wonderful places to explore, delicious food to sample and simply spend time as a family. Here are Mamma’s favourite picks to be found in Maroondah.
parks and playgrounds
When the sun is shining in the Yarra Valley, the locals know to head to the coolest spot around - the Seville Water Play
Wesburn Park has the MOST incredible views of the mountains and has a GREAT little playground to match. This little pocket of space, at the back of the ovals and close to the toilets, has a nice fresh playground of red, yellow and orange.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a newbie! The Gateway Reserve in Lilydale has a new little playground for the kids to enjoy.
This Lillydale Lake has some of Mamma's favourite things - water play, nature zones and plenty of space for the imagination.
Mamma has been so excited about this playground update. Not just because of all the wizzy-dizzy equipment or the rocking sea saw seats with extra table or surfboard in the middle…. but a toilet!
Queens Park is loved by so many and this brand new playground upgrade has already been so well received already. The equipment has been designed to work with the existing trees and in autumn, the place simply glows!
We can’t help ourselves. Whenever we spy a playground with a train, we gotta give it a test run. When it is a playground that is fully enclosed with a GATE then we definitely have to stop for a play.
A playspace that is in perfect condition, that has great easy stairs to climb and is full of train themed equipment, is a total winner in Mamma’s book.
If you want to let the kids have a run around, give the dogs some exercise or simply run on the track yourself - Kimberly Place has enough to have the whole family moving.
There is a lot of heart in this playground and is GREAT fun for all the kids. Pack your towels and change of clothes too - you will most likely end up in that river!
eats
Chocoholics must stop here! A chocolate factory with a cafe menu that is out of this world. Mamma's kind of heaven!
Watts River Brewing in Healesville is a small brewery offering pizzas, bar snacks and plenty of their locally brewed beers.
Bring on the beautiful weather and long lazy weekends full of friends, great food and some delicious drops! Helen’s Hill in Coldstream ticks ALL the boxes for an ideal venue for a family catch up in the Yarra Valley.
There is a lot to love about your local pub! Especially when she is a grand old lady just like the Yarra Valley Grand Hotel.
Mamma often gets asked - where is a great winery in the Yarra Valley that I can take the kids. Right here - Punt Road Wines! This beautiful cellar door is totally family friendly and an incredible spot to sample amazing cool-climate wines.
Talk about perfect. The Healesville Hotel has had a refresh and Mamma’s favourite addition… the family friendly backyard. Plop yourself down at one of the many outdoor picnic tables under the market umbrellas and the canopy of elm trees and may yourself at home.
The Carriage Cafe is exactly what the name suggests - a cafe in a 100 year old carriage situated alongside the Warburton rail trail, paying great respect to the history of the area. Choose your seat in the dining carriage or sit on the balcony and watch the trail buzz on by.
You can’t go past a cafe with a courtyard out the back. My Little Kitchen in Healesville hits the nail on the head by catering for families. This zone at the rear is fully enclosed and in the warmer months, has some space for some chalk drawings.
The golden shivering man is keen for some company! The local eastie brewery loves a great brew and a pizza or two at the entrance to the Yarra Valley.
Mamma had never had bread like the amazing loaf from the Yarra Valley Artisan Baker! Incredibly fresh and super crunchy crusts - we will certainly be stopping in here on every trip up to Warburton to pick up a Country Sourdough.
The Laneway is a South and North American inspired cafe serving delicious breakfasts, lunches and on Friday and Saturday nights - dinner!
It is award winning and proud local of the Yarra Valley. Four Pillars is the bees knees. They are known world wide for their top notch gin and they make here, right here in Healesville.
Kid friendly and stacked with heritage is what you will find as you head up the hill to Payne’s Rise.
Blueberry lovers unite! Did you know there is a whole farm dedicated to this delightful fruit?
places to go
Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden is an absolute treasure in the heart of Marysville. The property is the home to Bruno's very own art collection interwoven into the magical garden beside the Steavenson River. Mamma really lost count of the number of eccentric and intricate sculptures made of everything from brass, clay, wood and random found materials.
Well, well. Mamma has found paradise. A garden oasis PARADISE! These school holidays you’ll find beautiful flowers, story times, easter bunny hunts and even - a T-REX!
Oasis Berry Farms are famous for their blueberry harvests, but they have another treat in store, a family of dinosaurs making themselves at home on the farm. Tucked in amongst the ferns just like in Jurassic Park, your kids will uncover half a dozen giant friends. It has its very own Treasure Island, and a colossal dose of prehistoric wonder.
Welcome to Alowyn Gardens. Located in the Yarra Valley’s Yarra Glen and spanning across 7 acres, this award winning landscaped garden, cafe and garden centre is a wonderful family-friendly outing with the kids.
If you are looking for some snow play, toboggan sliding and letting your treasures have a good old play in the white stuff, Lake Mountain is the place to head!
Wesburn Recreational Reserve has had an upgrade and this pump track is one of Mamma’s favourites.
One of Mamma's favourite places for a family picnic has to be Maroondah Reservoir Park in Healesville. This parkland reserve is alive with birdlife, beautiful gardens and great family walks.
The West might have the lions and tigers. The City might have the bears. But - Oh My! - The East might just have the best - our own native stars at Healesville Sanctuary. Let’s go with Mamma and see the Australian animals, see the big birds and have a family day in Healesville.
The Warby Trail has to me Mamma’s MOST favourite place to relax and chill out with the dogs.
BMX buddies - let’s cheer for the new Coldstream Pump Track. This spot opened late in 2022 and had been a hit with the locals. You can ride or scoot or even skate (oh i’d love to see that) on the purpose built, asphalted track which has bumps and turns and jumps and corners.
Mamma can't hide it. She is a bit of a history buff. Plus when the story is about the happenings in our backyard it is hard to resist taking it all in. Gulf Station is a little slice of pioneer heritage from the 'good ol' days' in Yarra Glen.
Every summer holiday destination needs a lake that can help bring the temperature down and Beechworth has Lake Sambell. This used to be the site of a gold mine (along with most places in the area!) and now is a family friendly lake that you’ll all enjoy.
Where can you walk amounts giants right up high in the canopy of the Yarra Ranges National Park? At the Rainforest Gallery in Warburton. Walk along the sky-high boardwalk or descend to the forest floor via the stairs and a closer look.
Big Fellas Cherries is a U-Pick orchard located in Coldstream. With a huge netted area protecting the fruit from those pesky birdies, these have to be some of the best cherries and picking experiences to have in the Yarra Valley.
Healesville Candy Emporium is a wonderland of sweet treats. It’s got your favourites from near and far, you are bound to be delighted with all the options.
Teaching children where food comes from is one of the great things we get to do as parents and what better way to see how 450 variety of fruit grows than on the back of a tractor at Rayners Orchard.
The Yarra Valley Railway is the home to a classic 1950s single carriage train that is working its way back to Yarra Glen.
With little kids, the best day in the snow is a day that is easy, fun and free! Mt Donna Buang is the an ACE place to catch some snow and it's FREE, making it ideal for snow play
There is a new, AMAZING and safe place at Queens Park in Healesville to take the bikes, scooters and trikes and let the kids do laps.
Are you interested in taking the family on a berry picking adventure but not sure exactly what berry is your favourite? Then head to Jay Berries and you can find your raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries all at the one spot.
The owners of Warratina love the purple flower and invite the public during to visit the farm. The comforting aroma of lavender will hit you as soon as you step out from the car.
Summer is here and so are the raspberries! For a limited time, you can now pick you own at the Warratina Lavender Farm.
Mamma falls in love with these little red treats every year after visiting the massive orchard out in Wandin. Cherryhill has a number of orchards over Victoria but it is at this eastie spot that U-pick is at its BEST!
ZEEE PLANE ZEE PLANES!!!!! What little one doesn't love pointing out the plane in the sky!
Need a break from all those animals, let the kids play safely amongst nature or just a spot to grab a coffee and watch the kids play? Healesville Sanctuary have thought of us all with a BRAND NEW Nature Playspace.