Three months on the road and we mark the occasion by visiting the Yarra Valley area and setting up camp on the outskirts of Healesville. The time has scooted by and looking at the map its seems we have covered some territory. We’ve moved twenty-six times and covered  just on 6000 kilometres with the van and that’s just a portion of the east coast of Australia covered. The Jeep has clocked nearly 18000 kilometres since we started so those day trips, once the van is set-down at it’s new camp, add up quickly.

With the recent rain the valley is looking pristine and stunning with multiple layers of green foliage rising from the farming lands up to the mountains surrounding the area.

We start our day trips with a visit into the township of Healesville and walk up and down the main street looking at all of the various shops and stores along the way. There is a vast range of stores here so it takes some time to walk the length of the street. At the very end we spy a Gin Distillery named Four Pillars which, of course, has a tasting paddle comprising three of their Gins. Stacey and I decide to share one paddle and find that their Gins are very tasty indeed.

From there we take a small drive to the local township of Coldstream and visit the Brewery and Cidery of the same name. Again a selection of beers and ciders were served on a tasting paddle and consumed with great gusto. We decide to call it a day after these visits as there is a chance we’ll need to leave the Jeep in the car park and walk home.

Our next day’s outing sees us head up into the mountains to visit the township of Marysville. This area and the area around Kinglake were devastated in bush fires in February 2009 but the township of Marysville has rebuilt and is starting to thrive again.

The centre of town has a park that is incredibly well appointed and a credit to the people involved. The local stream runs from Stevenson Falls down through the township offering a peaceful burbling sound which is accompanied by the calls of the local bird life that has returned to the area. The buildings including the Primary School, Information Centre and Police Station are built in a fire resistant manner and are modern in their architecture. Rather than being standouts they sit happily in the township and compliment the area.

From Marysville we visit Stevenson Falls to take some photos and enjoy a walk in the bushland.

Our second stop at waterfalls is supposed to be via a fire trail along the Taggerty River to Keppel Falls but after 5 Km of dirt road we find that the road has been closed due to the recent heavy rainfall causing washouts and landslides. The road itself though proves to be a picture in itself.

We head back to Marysville then onto Lake Mountain to have a look at the ski fields in the area. Lake Mountain isn’t what we expect as its not your typical snow ski area. This region is used more for cross country skiing and for mountain bike trail riding so there are no chairlifts or ski runs as such. In the summer the colours of the foliage in the bush leading up the mountain is stunning with every shade of green seemingly represented. Then, at the top of the mountain, you see the effects of the fires and snowfall with bare trees and branches contrasted against the grey stormy skies. Picturesque is the word that comes to mind.

To finish off the loop we travel back down the mountain to the township of Warburton. There we find a suspension bridge that provides another opportunity for a photo before we head back to the caravan.

The next day a looping drive through Mt Saint Leonard, Kinglake, Mason Falls and Whittlesea delivered some beautiful scenery and a great conversation.

Our first port of call is Mt Saint Leonard where the lookout was closed but the trail up and down the mountain gave us a chance to put into perspective the enormous height of the trees in the area. There is a photo below showing the trees in comparison to the Jeep and I’m afraid we’ll have to buy a bigger Jeep! (No the tree in front of the Jeep was not pushed over by it)

From Mt Saint Leonard we head to Kinglake stopping in at Wombleano Falls along the way. The track down to the falls is easy enough to walk and the view is worth the effort but you would be forgiven if you thought you heard two puffing billy trains working their way back up the track. It’s about forty stories of stairs and uphill track so there was a lot of gasping for breath along the way. Maybe its time to cut back on the wine, beer, gin and cheese tasting…

On to Kinglake where we meet Danny who is playing ball with his dogs in one of the parks which has breathtaking views to the Melbourne skyline. Its hard to imagine what it was like during the wildfire that passed through here as regrowth has all but hidden the devastation.

Danny, who is now in his seventies, tells us of his experience during the fires and how he lost everything, except his dogs and car, and how he had to drive recklessly down the mountain in thick smoke, flying embers and flames to escape. No-one had realised, until too late, that the wind had changed direction and was headed straight at them. The power was out and the telephone lines down so they were literally on their own. Its sobering when he reveals that in his street alone there were no homes left standing and he lost four neighbours to the catastrophe.

We head on to Mason Falls and take a short bushwalk to the lookout near the falls. Unfortunately the overcast skies don’t allow the photos to do justice to the falls but they are certainly worth a visit.

We finish our loop with a visit to Whittlesea for a walk through the town and a late lunch before heading back to Healesville.

Our final full day in the Yarra Valley sees us driving a loop to Yea then Alexandra with a stop at Lake Eildon. Just after we set off we pass De Bortoli Wines and decide to stop for some wine tasting. The wines are tasty and the young lady serving us provides great information about the vintages but also conversation about her horse riding experiences. We are impressed by both then realise we have been there for nearly and hour. We thank her and leave with three bottles of their delicious wines.

Again the drive provides scenery and colours that are stunning with the lake and dam at Eildon providing a highlight. Eildon itself is not the draw card for the area as its a quiet unassuming town. The lake area is what brings people to the region. It hosts water sports, fishing and even house boat rentals across its vast size.

We have had a great time in the Yarra Valley but its time to move on again. This time inland further to Bendigo for a few days.