Just 30 minutes drive from the CBD or Melbourne Airport, Melbourne’s Valley of the Arts offers magnificent Australian bush settings, celebrated art and architecture, history and heritage and endless places to stay, eat, shop and explore.
If it’s gum trees and bushland you want to see, these are among the valley’s gifts. There are many creeks and waterways and Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River is at its rugged best through the valley and is a destination itself.
You can sit by it, walk aimlessly along it, enjoy one of the many guided walks, hire a canoe or follow its lead as the roads wind along it and cross over it as you head to the villages of Warrandyte or Hurstbridge and to the wineries beyond.
The weekly St Andrews market is a popular Saturday morning drive.
Lovers of modern art will find endless galleries to explore and the traditionalists can find significant celebrations of the area that gave the Heidelberg School of Artists its name. The valley embraces the arts in all its incarnations, so hunt out the performing arts venues, potteries, art studios and workshops dotted throughout it.
A drive through the western part of the valley is a must for anyone interested in architectural or design heritage.
You can visit nationally significant examples of art deco buildings including the Beauview and Beaumont estates created by Albert Victor Jennings. The valley is also home to the Mount Eagle estate in Eaglemont featuring many examples of Walter Burley Griffin’s work.
Victoria’s gold rush past can be explored at the Gold Soundscapes Trail in Warrandyte, you can step back to pioneering days at Schramms Cottage in Doncaster or drop into Petty’s Orchard in Templestowe to see a heritage orchard growing more than 200 varieties of apples.
If antiquing is for you or you love hand made jewellery or crafts, the valley has it covered. Visit the village-type shops of Warrandyte, Hurstbridge or Eaglemont. For many, the culinary delights of Melbourne’s Valley of the Arts are enough reason to visit.
Everything from pub meals to coffee shops, cafes in memorable venues and locations to award winning wineries and top class restaurants are here to be enjoyed.
Why not sample thebreakfast fare too by extending your valley visit at one of the many B and Bs, hotels and motels.
The valley offers a great day out, a weekend away from the city or just a pleasant afternoon drive. Or come for the festivals and special events held throughout the year. Step out of the city into the Valley of the Arts and enjoy.
Location
Various
Main St, Eltham VIC 3095
Contact
- Phone: 1300660072
- Email: info@valleyofthearts.com.au
