top picks

Mamma loves a road trip, especially when there is the sea in sight. The Bass Coast is such a great place to explore with the kids and includes Phillip Island, Grantville and Inverloch. It is a great big area but here are some of Mamma’s discoveries in the beautiful Bass Coast.

Big 4 Inverloch Caravan Park

A great family-friendly accommodation option by the beach, with it’s very own splash park.

Bunurong Coastal Reserve, Bass Coast

The Bunurong Coastal Reserve is a STUNNING piece of coastline stretching from Invervoch to Cape Paterson, and beyond to Coal Point at Hamers Haven.

Wyeth-McNamara Park, Inverloch

This park has everything you need in a playground after a long drive in the car

The Screw Creek Nature Walk, Inverloch

A beautiful quiet spot to explore right close to the BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park, to go for a stroll, hunt for crabs and explore the beach.

Shell Museum, Inverloch

At the South Gippsland Conservation Society and Bunurong Environment Centre, there is an ENTIRE room full of shells!

State Coal Mine, Wonthaggi

This historically significant site in Wonthaggi is where 17 million tonnes of coal was mined for Victorian industry railways back in the 1900s and now is an educational and tourist destination.

Coal Creek Community Park and Museum, Korumburra

We love finding treasure and sometimes it is the rusty gold type of treasure. Coal Creek Community Park is Korumburra’s historical heartland.

The Borough Dept. Store, Korumburra

Maru Koala and Animal Park, Grantville

Maru Koala and Animal Park is one of those places that allows you to get up real close to the animals - so close in fact you can touch and feed a couple of friendly ones!

Macca's Farm, Glen Forbes

A working and pick your own style farm and cafe - It’s such a stunning farm, with animals running free-range across the fields.

Chocolate Festival 2018 - Mamma Knows East (32 of 36).jpg

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

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seville water play park, seville

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 playground, wesburn

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.

gateway estate reserve playground, lilydale

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a newbie! The Gateway Reserve in Lilydale has a new little playground for the kids to enjoy.

lillydale lake playground, lilydale

This Lillydale Lake has some of Mamma's favourite things - water play, nature zones and plenty of space for the imagination.

symes road park, woori yallock

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, healesville

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!

yarra junction community playground, yarra junction

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.

railway station park, healesville

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.

seville regional playspace, seville

Seville is now set for all year round, family fun.

casuarina forest play space, healesville sanctuary

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.

hookey park, mooroolbark

Parks under the gums are Mamma's favourite

kimberly drive reserve, chirnside park

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.

gallipoli park, marysville

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!

mckenzie reserve, yarra glen

Mamma’s got a new family favourite – complete with sand, water and dung beetles.

melba park, lilydale

Another park etched into Mamma's memory is the classic Melba Park in Lilydale.

eats

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yarra valley chocolaterie and ice creamery, yarra glen

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, healesville

Watts River Brewing in Healesville is a small brewery offering pizzas, bar snacks and plenty of their locally brewed beers.

helen's hill estate, coldstream

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.

yarra valley grand hotel, yarra glen

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.

punt road wines, coldstream

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.

healesville hotel, healesville

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, seville

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.

my little kitchen, healesville

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.

coldstream brewery, coldstream

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.

yarra valley artisan baker, wesburn

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, healesville

The Laneway is a South and North American inspired cafe serving delicious breakfasts, lunches and on Friday and Saturday nights - dinner!

four pillars gin distillery, healesville

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.

payne's rise, seville

Kid friendly and stacked with heritage is what you will find as you head up the hill to Payne’s Rise.

yarrawood estate, yarra glen

The views at the Estate are breathtaking!

payten and jones, healesville

Payten and Jones could just have coolest place in Healesville.

blueberry farm winery, badger creek

Blueberry lovers unite! Did you know there is a whole farm dedicated to this delightful fruit?

napoleone orchard bar, coldstream

Move over breweries … it is cider’s time to SHINE!

places to go

Featured

bruno's art and sculpture garden, marysville

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.

school holidays @ blue lotus water garden, yarra junction

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, steels creek

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.

alowyn gardens, yarra glen

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.

blue lotus water garden, yarra junction

Well, well. Mamma has found paradise. A garden oasis PARADISE!

lake mountain alpine resort, marysville

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 pump track, wesburn

Wesburn Recreational Reserve has had an upgrade and this pump track is one of Mamma’s favourites.

redwood forest, east warburton

If you go into the woods today you in for a beautiful suprise!

maroondah reservoir park, healesville

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.

healesville sanctuary, healesville

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.

warburton rail trail

The Warby Trail has to me Mamma’s MOST favourite place to relax and chill out with the dogs.

coldstream pump track, coldstream

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.

gulf station, yarra glen

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.

lake sambell, beechworth

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.

rainforest gallery, warburton

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 fella cherries, coldstream

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, healesville

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.

rayners orchard, woori yallock

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.

yarra valley railway, healesville

The Yarra Valley Railway is the home to a classic 1950s single carriage train that is working its way back to Yarra Glen.

snow play, mount donna buang

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

roll play - bike track, healesville

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.

jay berries, wandin east

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.

warratina lavender farm, wandin yallock

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.

wandin yallock farms raspberry u-pick @ warratina lavender farm, wandin yallock

Summer is here and so are the raspberries! For a limited time, you can now pick you own at the Warratina Lavender Farm.

cherryhill orchards, wandin east

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!