Healesville in a Day: A Journey Through Nature and Art

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by Alexander

March 29, 2024 · 1 min read

Healesville 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day Healesville adventure that promises an unforgettable blend of nature, art, and history. Begin your journey aboard the Puffing Billy Railway, a heritage steam train offering a two-hour scenic tour through the lush landscapes of the Dandenong Ranges. Feel the wind in your hair and capture the picturesque views as you chug along the historic tracks. Next, immerse yourself in the creative world at the TarraWarra Museum of Art, where you'll spend an hour admiring contemporary and modern art in a stunning architectural space set against a backdrop of rolling hills. Conclude your day with a visit to the Healesville Sanctuary, a haven for Australian wildlife. Spend an hour getting up close with native animals and learning about conservation efforts. This compact itinerary is designed to give you a taste of Healesville's diverse attractions, leaving you with lasting memories and a desire to return.

Top 6 Hotels in Healesville
TOP 1
Re’em Yarra Valley
Re’em Yarra Valley
hotelStar
0/5
15 reviews
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TOP 2
Econo Lodge Lilydale
Econo Lodge Lilydale
hotelStar
4/5
53 reviews
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TOP 3
Chateau Yering
Chateau Yering
hotelStar
5/5
55 reviews
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Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley
Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley
hotelStar
5/5
114 reviews
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Yarra Gables
Yarra Gables
hotelStar
4/5
45 reviews
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Sanctuary Lodge
Sanctuary Lodge
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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Day 1: Charming Healesville - Steam Trains, Art, and Wildlife

1

Puffing Billy Railway

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Begin your Healesville adventure aboard the historic Puffing Billy Railway, a delightful steam train journey that promises to transport you back in time. As the first stop of the day, allot two hours to immerse yourself in the scenic vistas of the Dandenong Ranges. Departing from 1 Old Monbulk Rd, the Puffing Billy offers a unique sightseeing tour, chugging through lush forests and fern gullies, making it a perfect start to your day of exploration.

Attraction Info

  • 1 Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave VIC 3160, Australia
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-5:00pm;Closed during Christmas

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Puffing Billy Cafe & Bar
Puffing Billy Cafe & Bar
3.5/5 · 2 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Sooki Lounge
Sooki Lounge
/5 · 0 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
Bensons Cafe and Restaurant
Bensons Cafe and Restaurant
4.1/5 · 10 reviews
0.2 km from attraction
Earthly Pleasures Cafe
Earthly Pleasures Cafe
3.3/5 · 3 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
Babaji's Kerala Kitchen Belgrave
Babaji's Kerala Kitchen Belgrave
/5 · 0 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
Micawber Tavern
Micawber Tavern
/5 · 0 reviews
0.8 km from attraction
46 min,45.61 km
2

TarraWarra Museum of Art

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After the nostalgic train ride, the TarraWarra Museum of Art awaits as your second destination. Nestled in the picturesque Yarra Valley, this art gallery is a cultural gem, offering an hour of contemporary artistic indulgence. Located on Wurundjeri Country at 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, the museum showcases a blend of Australian and international art, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and vineyards, providing a serene cultural experience.

Attraction Info

  • Wurundjeri Country, 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Healesville VIC 3777, Australia
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open on Tue-Sun,11:00am-5:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Oakridge Wines
Oakridge Wines
4.5/5 · 2 reviews
3.3 km from attraction
Many Hands Winery
Many Hands Winery
5/5 · 0 reviews
2.9 km from attraction
The Riverstone Estate Cellar Door
The Riverstone Estate Cellar Door
/5 · 0 reviews
3.7 km from attraction
River Stone Estate Winery
River Stone Estate Winery
/5 · 0 reviews
3.7 km from attraction
Tramonto Kitchen & Bar
Tramonto Kitchen & Bar
/5 · 0 reviews
2.8 km from attraction
Tokar Estate
Tokar Estate
5/5 · 3 reviews
3.5 km from attraction
12 min,9.46 km
3

Healesville Sanctuary

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Conclude your day with a visit to the Healesville Sanctuary, a haven for Australian wildlife. Spend an hour at this natural oasis situated on Glen Eadie Ave, where you can get up close with native animals such as koalas, kangaroos, and the elusive platypus. The sanctuary not only offers a chance to witness these creatures in their natural habitat but also plays a crucial role in conservation efforts, making it a fulfilling and educational finale to your Healesville journey.

Attraction Info

  • Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville VIC 3777, Australia
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-5:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Mocha and Lime
Mocha and Lime
4/5 · 2 reviews
3.3 km from attraction
Kang's Woks Asian Restaurant
Kang's Woks Asian Restaurant
/5 · 0 reviews
3.3 km from attraction
Joe Slinger
Joe Slinger
/5 · 0 reviews
3.3 km from attraction
Monroe's Burgers & Beers
Monroe's Burgers & Beers
4.3/5 · 3 reviews
3.3 km from attraction
Paramparaa Indian Restaurant
Paramparaa Indian Restaurant
/5 · 0 reviews
3.3 km from attraction
Beechworth Bakery Healesville
Beechworth Bakery Healesville
/5 · 0 reviews
3.4 km from attraction
4.2/533 Reviews
4.2/5Very Good33 Reviews
Badger Creek
|1.11km from Healesville Sanctuary
4.4/528 Reviews
4.4/5Excellent28 Reviews
Healesville
|1.16km from Healesville Sanctuary
4.4/573 Reviews
4.4/5Excellent73 Reviews
Healesville
|1.43km from Healesville Sanctuary
4.7/51 Reviews
4.7/5Outstanding1 Reviews
Badger Creek
|2.26km from Healesville Sanctuary

Top Things to Do in Healesville-2024

TOP 1
Puffing Billy Railway
Puffing Billy Railway
4.7/5 · 399 review
Highlights:

The ancient Puffing Billy Railway started in the early 20th century and is now a famous tourist train, becoming one of the more popular tourist activities in Melbourne. The small train has witnessed historical changes in Melbourne for the past hundred years. The small train, with a speed of only 20 kilometers per hour, takes you back to the not so distant past. The open wooden carriage allows you to intimately connect with nature and breathe in the purity of forest air. Shortly after the train leaves the Belgrave station, passengers will see the most famous landmark of the Puffing Billy railway line, the Monbec Creek Trestle. In addition, there are many stations along the way where passengers may exit the train.

△ Ride the small train with a history of more than 200 years

△ Breathe the fresh air and enjoy the natural scenery

△ Put your legs outside the carriage and feel as if you have traveled back to the 20th century

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TOP 2
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
4.7/5 · 680 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 4,030 review
Highlights:

The Melbourne Aquarium is located on the banks of the Yarra River. It's a circular structure decked out in a blue-white color scheme. The aquarium has many exciting areas to explore for an unforgettable travel experience. It's home to Australia's massive Australian saltwater crocodiles, a rich variety of seahorse and sea dragon species as well as king and gentoo penguins. The idea of having a bit of fun with huge sea turtles and hide and seek with Nemo is no fantasy here. You can even take a transparent glass bottom boat for an adventure behind the curtain while traveling back and forth on the water yourself in search of excitement.

△ Watch and feed jellyfish up close

△ Go behind the scenes to see how penguins live

△ Watch divers dance with fish

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TOP 3
Melbourne Skydeck
Melbourne Skydeck
4.6/5 · 498 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 8,052 review
Highlights:

Melbourne Skydeck,the Eureka Skydeck 88, is located on the 88th floor, is 285 meters above the ground. With a direct elevator, you can overlook the entire city of Melbourne, 360 degrees, in a few seconds. There is a viewfinder for accurate observation of important landmarks throughout Melbourne. There is also a glass cube called The Edge that extends out of the edge of the building, and extremely exciting to stand up and look downstairs. You can also enjoy VR experiences at

here, such as traveling through 16 Melbourne landmarks at the Voyager Theater and experiencing the thrilling VR zipline adventure.

△ Enjoy the sunset over Melbourne city

△ Feel the exciting Edge experience

△ Experience the thrilling VR Plank zipline adventure

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TOP 4
Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum
4.6/5 · 289 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 4,287 review
Highlights:
The Melbourne Museum was built in July 1996 and officially opened to the public in November 2000. It is the largest and innovative museum in the southern hemisphere. It is located in Carlton Gardens with the Royal Exhibition Hall. 1. Regional introduction The museum has three floors. The first floor includes the Bangiraka Indigenous Cultural Center, the Pacific Exhibition Hall, the Forest Exhibition Hall, the Science and Life Exhibition Hall, the Children's Hall, as well as shops and cafes; the second floor includes the Melbourne Exhibition Hall, the Mind and Body Exhibition Hall, Evolution Showroom; lower level includes Discovery Center and IMAX Cinema. 2. Collections and displays The collections and displays of the Melbourne Museum are amazing. You can see dinosaur fossils at the entrance, and there is also a 20-meter-long blue whale skeleton specimen, which is extremely rare. In more than 20 exhibition halls and independent exhibition halls, the museum has prepared all-inclusive content, and there are more than a dozen permanent exhibitions currently open. 3. Natural culture Nature is obviously the focus of the museum. The Science and Life Pavilion offers "Bees", "Life of Insects", "Ocean Life: Exploring Our Sea", "Human Body", "Consciousness: Enter The Labyrinth" and "From Darwin to DNA" at the Evolution Pavilion. 4. Indoor forest area The three-story indoor forest area introduces the ecological functions of the forest from the forest hierarchy, water conservation, plant composition, the seasonal distinction of Australian forests, and forest fires that often occur in Australia's dry season. There are also some Australian forests in it. Common birds and ants. The "Forest Secret" in the pavilion is at the center of the building, creating an ecosystem that is exactly the same as the natural environment, showing the trees, plants, wildlife and insects in Victoria's high mountains. Walking into the forest corridor, you will see more than 8,000 Australian plants planted here. In addition, there are insect exhibition areas and evolution areas that display the mysteries of the biological world. 5. The style of the style museum is very modern, which forms a strong contrast with the classical style of the Royal Exhibition Hall next to it. In addition to creating a visual effect, the metal frame and glass curtain wall also draw more natural light into the public spaces of the pavilion. You will see that the staff in the museum are wearing brightly colored work clothes, exuding a strong aboriginal cultural style, which contrasts with the avant-garde architectural form.
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TOP 5
St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne
St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne
4.5/5 · 372 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,443 review
Highlights:
St. Paul's Cathedral is located at the intersection of Swanston Street and Flinders Street. Built in 1891, it is a famous building in the city of Melbourne. It is famous for its bluestone and fine wall lines. In 1932, the church added three more spires to make it look more magnificent. The church has stained glass windows, glazed tiles, wooden chairs and red vaulted skirts. There is also a huge organ, its brilliance and lustrous color blended with the red decoration of the church. There are several memorial statues stationed outside the church as well as a very beautiful small garden.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

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Healesville 1 Day Itinerary