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Half Day Tours
If You Are Tight On Time
Full Day Tour Options Also Available
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Location: 40 km east of Melbourne
Located just about an hour's drive from Melbourne, the majestic Dandenong Ranges National Park offers a multitude of activities for visitors to enjoy:
Breathe in the refreshing air as the scenic drive through winding roads lead us to quaint hilltop villages where an abundance of exceptional things await, ranging from art and craft stores, village shopping to a huge range of cosy cafes, tea rooms and award winning restaurants.
Explore magnificent landscapes and lush gardens, walk through mountain ash forests showcasing beautiful Australian flora and fauna, and clean, refreshing air.
Experience awe-inspiring views of the surrounding landscape and the city CBD in the distance from the highest lookout, the Mount Dandenong Observatory, sitting at 633 metres above sea-level.
With Polaris Photography & Tours, your travel dreams are within reach. If our recommendations above do not catch your eye, contact us to see how we can tailor your destinations accordingly.
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Half Day Tours
If You Are Tight On Time
Full Day Tour Options Also Available
Puffing Billy Steam Railway
Location: Belgrave, 40km (about one hour) east of Melbourne
Take a nostalgic ride on the Puffing Billy, Australia's favourite steam train and one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world, still running on its original 24km mountain track from Belgrave to Lakeside (Emerald Lake) and Gembrook.
Feel the wind in your hair and marvel at the picturesque sceneries as the iconic train puffs through the lush rainforest and beautiful fern gullies of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges National Park.
At Emerald Lake, stroll around the park observing the ducks and moorhens. Walk across the trestle bridge and over to see the murals and Gus Ryberg amphitheatre in the ornamental and conifer tree lawn. There’s also a model railway to explore if you have time before boarding the train to Gembrook or for the return journey back to Belgrave.
Alternatively, if you prefer to travel in first class comfort and luxury in fully enclosed dining carriages, the daily ‘Steam & Cuisine’ Luncheon Train', or the ‘Dinner & Dance Train’, which departs on selected Friday and Saturday evenings, is the way to go.
Whichever ride you choose, the Puffing Billy ride is certainly a fun way to see the country side for adults and children alike.
With Polaris Photography & Tours, your travel dreams are within reach. If our recommendations above do not catch your eye, contact us to see how we can tailor your destinations accordingly.
Full Day Tours
If You Prefer To Take It Easy
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Walhalla - The Hidden Gem in Gippsland's Alpine Wilderness
Location: 185 km from Melbourne
Walhalla, located 185km from Melbourne, was once a booming gold mining town. During its peak from around 1863-1900, Walhalla was one of Australia’s richest town and home to about 4,000 residents.
Today, although this historic township in Gippsland’s alpine wilderness has only about 20 permanent residents, it is not dull or lifeless, in fact, it is very much the opposite!
Due to the township’s beautiful location in a deep mountain valley combined with its gold-era heritage, Walhalla is also popularly known as Australia’s “Valley of the Gods”.
To get the most of your visit, spend the day strolling around the town, or even stay overnight at one of the Bed & Breakfast (B&B) accommodation or hotel to experience life in this town when the sun is down and day visitors have left.
Essential Experiences:
Walhalla Tramline Walk
Step back in time and enjoy spectacular views of Walhalla as you walk along the path which used to be a timber tramline. Imagine the sight of the town during the goldrush days! Duration varies between 15 minutes and 1 hour depending on your choice of walk.
Walhalla Goldfields Railway
Enjoy the vibrant autumn trees, the magnificent Stringers Creek Gorge and colourful spring wildflowers as you ride on the Walhalla Goldfelds Railway to Thomson and back. Rides operate from Walhalla station every Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday.
Other Attractions:
Old Walhalla Fire Station Museum
Old Walhalla Post Office Museum
Poverty Point Bridge Walk (8km return, 3hrs)
Great Walhalla Alpine Trail Walk (fully guided 2 day walk, 40km from Mt Baw Baw to Walhalla
Long Tunnel Gold Mine Tour
Walhalla Ghost Tour
With Polaris Photography & Tours, your travel dreams are within reach. If our recommendations above do not catch your eye, contact us to see how we can tailor your destinations accordingly.
Full Day Tours
If You Prefer To Take It Easy
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Mornington Peninsula
Location: South-east of Melbourne
Located just slightly more than an hour's drive from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula offers a diverse array of activities and experiences for everyone to enjoy.
Stunning coastlines, seaside towns, local wineries and impressive restaurants are just some of the things you'll experience on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula.
Essential Experiences:
Arthurs Seat Eagle
Board the Arthurs Seat Eagle and enjoy the stunning views across the bay to the city.
Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens
The Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens is home to Australia's oldest and most famous hedge maze, a beautiful circular rose maze, and the year round flowering Lavender Labyrinth, all set among 25 acres of world acclaimed gardens.
Cape Schanck Lighthouse
The Cape Schanck Lighthouse was built in 1859 as the second coastal lighthouse in the Australian state of Victoria. It is located on the southernmost tip of the Mornington Peninsula. The tower was built from limestone, it is 21 metres tall.
With Polaris Photography & Tours, your travel dreams are within reach. If our recommendations above do not catch your eye, contact us to see how we can tailor your destinations accordingly.
Full Day Tours
If You Prefer To Take It Easy
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Malmsbury, Taradale, Daylesford & Trentham
Charming townships within 1.5 hours from Melbourne
Malmsbury
Botanic Gardens & Lake Established in the 1850’s the Botanic Gardens is one of Victoria’s earliest regional botanic gardens encompassing a wonderful collection of trees and shrubs along with a few surprises from its rich past.
Relive the spirit of the gold rush in Malmsbury with a beautiful streetscape featuring National Trust buildings and the historic viaduct nearby.
Malmsbury Viaduct Constructed as part of the nationally significant Melbourne – Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway, the Malmsbury Railway Viaduct is itself an outstanding display of engineering. Constructed of rusticated and finely dressed bluestone, it is the largest masonry bridge in Victoria, and when completed in 1862, it was Australia’s longest stone bridge. This magnificent bridge has five 18.3 metre spans, is 25 metres high, and carries two railway tracks over the Coliban River at Malmsbury. It is still one of Australia’s finest early bridges.
Taradale
Taradale Viaduct Another engineering marvel well worth stopping to see. The train bridge crosses the gully of Back creek in Taradale which was a very prosperous town during the gold rush.
Daylesford
Located in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range of Victoria, Daylesford is known for its natural mineral springs. Visit the leafy Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens which sits atop an extinct volcano. On its grounds, a 19th-century mansion is home to the Convent Gallery. Ride on the historic Daylesford Spa Country Railway train as it winds through farmland and forest to Bullarto and back.
Trentham
Trentham Falls Formed some five million years ago by molten lava rapidly cooling as it flowed along the old Coliban River valley, Trentham Falls plunges 32 metres over basalt columns onto the quartz gravel below. Deep in the Wombat State Forest, this moss-covered wonderland is especially magical in winter when every sleek rock and fern frond drips with water.
Historic Trentham Railway Station Trentham Railway Station is a closed railway station, on the former Carlsruhe-to-Daylesford line. It opened on Monday, 16 February 1880, and was closed on Monday, 3 July 1978. The station building (which houses the Tourist Information centre), platform and goods shed, and a short section of track, have all been retained, although no train services currently operate from the station. Relive the past and walk around the old carriages which sit on the disused and rusted tracks beneath a carpet of grass.
With Polaris Photography & Tours, your travel dreams are within reach. If our recommendations above do not catch your eye, contact us to see how we can tailor your destinations accordingly.
Full Day Tours
If You Prefer To Take It Easy
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Warburton & Noojee
Warburton - Pretty town on the Yarra River, nestled in a valley surrounded by foothills of the Great Dividing Range (60 km east of Melbourne)
Warburton Attractions
Redwood Forest Discover the magic of the Redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens, at Cement Creek, a few kilometres outside Warburton.
Mount Donna Buang A place for snow play in winter, forest fun in summer! Mt Donna Buang, with a height of 1,245 metres, and overlooking Warburton town, is the closest mountain to Melbourne. A 21 metre high lookout tower on the summit provides panoramic views of the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne, and the Alps. Keep an eye out for the elusive Superb Lyrebird during your visit.
Rainforest Gallery This beautiful site features a 40 metre long observation platform which takes you into the rainforest canopy 15 metres above the ground. A 350 metre long elevated walkway takes you through the Rainforest Gallery where you will see magnificent 65 metre tall old growth Mountain Ash trees, ancient Myrtle Beech trees (many of which could be up to 300 to 400 years old), ferns, mosses and other plants that make up this damp and diverse rainforest environment. There are several viewing spots along the walkway where you can pause and enjoy the sounds of Cement Creek flowing past on its journey to the Yarra River.
Noojee - Picturesque town on the Latrobe River, located on the main access route to the ski fields of Mount Baw Baw. Noojee is named after the Aboriginal word for contentment or place to rest.
Noojee Attractions
Noojee Trestle Bridge Set in beautiful tall forest, the majestic Noojee Trestle Bridge is the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in Victoria.
Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Enjoy stunning views as you walk on the circular track through a landscape of thick bush, fern gullies and lush green pastures to the spectacular falls located within the Toorongo Falls Reserve,
With Polaris Photography & Tours, your travel dreams are within reach. If our recommendations above do not catch your eye, contact us to see how we can tailor your destinations accordingly.
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Multi-Day Tours
Make The Most Of Your Time In The Region
The Grampians National Park
Distance: 260 km from Melbourne
Located in the western region of Victoria, the Grampians (or Gariwerd) has an adventure for everyone.
Enjoy scenic mountain views and picturesque valleys at the Boroka and Reeds Lookouts.
Walk/Hike up to the Pinnacles and marvel at the vast beautiful views of the Grampians.
Visit Brambuk - The National Park & Cultural Centre, Interpretation centre for Grampians National Park & aboriginal culture, with a bush foods cafe.
Indulge in local culinary delights by experiencing the region's incredible local produce.
Taste some of Victoria's finest wine for which the Grampians region is famous for.
Experience meeting Australian wildlife, such as Kangaroos, Emus & Cockatoos in their natural habitat!
Visit one of Victoria's most incredible waterfalls, MacKenzie Falls.
With Polaris Photography & Tours, your travel dreams are within reach. If our recommendations above do not catch your eye, contact us to see how we can tailor your destinations accordingly.
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Multi-Day Tours
Make The Most Of Your Time In The Region
Silo Art Trail & Lake Tyrrell, Great Ocean Road & Many More...
With Polaris Photography & Tours, your travel dreams are within reach. If our recommendations above do not catch your eye, contact us to see how we can tailor your destinations accordingly.