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(and occasionally) Irreverent

Country Victoria

The Dandenongs
Healesville

Some Parks & Gardens in the Dandenongs

National Rhododendron Gardens

Home to the Australian Mountain Ash - the world's largest flowering tree, these gardens feature a huge range of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas and daffodils.

10 am - 5 pm daily
The Georgian Road, Olinda

Other Gardens & Arboreta

The R.J. Hamer Arboretum (Chalet Road, Olinda) features European American and Asian trees, while the Mt. Dandenong Arboretum (Ridge Road, Dandenong) features rare conifers from the Southern Hemisphere. The George Tindale Gardens (Sherbrook Road, Sherbrook -  Me ref 75 J2) and the Pirianda Gardens (Hacketts Road, Olinda) both blend exotic plants with the native trees

All 10am - 4.30pm daily

Karwarra

An Australian Plant Garden devoted to displaying the diversity of Australian plants in a landscaped setting. It features one of the largest ranges of Australian plants in public gardens with many rare and unique species

Karwarra
Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Kalorama
(Mel ref 120 B9)
Enquiries: (03) 9728 4256
10am-4pm Tue-Fri
1-4pm, weekends & public holidays

'SkyHigh' at Mount Dandenong

Park at Silvan Dam

Markets

Cherished Once More Baby & Children's Mini - Market Quality New & Preloved Baby and Kids items for sale. One day only Sat 7th Feb 2009. 10 Holme Rd, Ferntree Gully. 9am - 2pm. Prams, toys, books, manchester, clothes, and heaps of new stock at heavily reduced prices. 9am to 2pm, Saturday 7th February 2009   10 Holme Rd - Ferntree Gully Enquiries: (03) 9778 3323

Emerald Craft and Produce Market In the beautiful township of Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges next to a beautiful little park is the Emerald Craft and Produce Market. Friendly stallholders sell high quality, homemade, home-grown or vintage goods. Ride Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Emerald Station or about a 1 hour drive from the CBD. A splendid day out in the hills. 9am to 3pm, 3rd Sunday of month   cnr Kilvington Drive & Main Street - Emerald (Mel ref 127 F4) Enquiries: 0419 345 750

Gully Market A mixed outdoor market with jewellery & crystals, food, craft, vegetables and clothing. The market has up to 60 stalls but is often smaller. 9am - 5pm, Sat & Sun (9.30am-4.30pm during winter)   Railway carpark, Burwood Hwy - Upper Ferntree Gully Enquiries: 0429 090 857

Kallista Community Market An outdoor market in the surroundings of the Dandenongs with a wide range of home made and locally produced goods. 9am-1pm (3pm in Nov & D ec), 1st Sat of month (except Jan)   Church Street, - >Kallista (Mel ref 75 K3) Enquiries: (03) 9755 2622

Lilydale Farmers Produce Market Lilydale Farmers Produce Market featuring farm fresh produce, variety fresh foods. Easy access and Parking. Over 50 stalls. Organized by Rotary Clubs of Montrose & District, Lilydale and Chirnside Park. 8am to 1pm, 1st Sunday of month   Bellbird Park, Swansea Road - Lilydale (Mel Ref 38 G8) Enquiries: (03) 9727 0037

Montrose Craft Market An outdoor market with crafts and produce. 9am-1.30pm, 3rd Saturady of month (except Jan)   Town Centre, Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, - Montrose (Mel ref 52 C7) Enquiries: (03) 9728 1703

Mount Evelyn Scouts Market In and around the Mount Evelyn Scout Hall. Local Art/Craft, Trash/Treasure, Plants, Books, Clothes, Furniture, Food from the BBQ and cakes from the kitchen. Regular Market growing since 2005, friendly faces and free entry. 9am to 2pm, last Sat of month (Feb, May, Aug & Oct) plus 12 Dec 09   Mt. Evelyn Scout Hall Station Street - Mt.Evelyn (Mel ref 120 B1) Enquiries: (03) 9736 3668

Mt Dandenong Village Market Due to the success of our Annual Mt Dandenong Village Festival the market will again be trading, and many of the Festival stallholders will be providing their wares with fantastic timing for Christmas. Items Such as Bric –a –Brac. Handmade Jewellery, Hamd made Soy Candles, Honey, Eggs, Strawberries, Sausage sizzle and much much more. Come and enjoy a day in the hills. 11am to 4pm, 2nd Sunday of month (Sept to May)   - Mt Dandenong Village Enquiries: Angela or Howard on (03) 9751 2722

St Richards Primary School Twilight Market Come to St Richards annual Twilight Market. Lots of stalls including jewelery, gifts, clothing, hand made items, and much more. Also a beer and wine stall which is run by the schools P.A 5pm till late, 12th November 2009   672 Mt Dandenong Rd - Kilsyth Enquiries: 0401 432 895

Warburton Community Market High quality arts and crafts, plants, cakes, organic produce, musical instruments and Frank's sausage sizzle. 3rd Saturday of month   St Mary's (Anglican) Church Hall, Warburton Highway - Warburton (Mel ref 290 A4) Enquiries: (03) 5966 9765

Warburton River Market 3rd Sun of month, 10am on   Thomas Avenue at rear of shops, - Warburton

Please note that the above are the official trading hours. At many markets, a number of stalls close early, so you need to be there well before official closing time.

Forthcoming Events

These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".

Cockatoo May Fair Community focussed, family friendly day out in the Dandenongs: rides, market, music, magic show, kid's games, workshops, displays, reptile show and much more May 2008 ? Alma Treloar Reserve, Cockatoo

Emerald Winterfest An annual community festival. July 2008 ? Emerald

Ferntree Gully Village Fair This fair is being "rested" in 2007 and may resume in 2008. Wide range of Community Groups and Stallholders gather together in our picturesque foothills for our Annual Fair. Rides, activities, Singing Competition (FTG Idol), dog competition and lots more November 2008 ? Ferntree Gully Village Shopping Centre, Cnr Station Street & Alpine Street

Ferny Creek Floral Festival Featuring late spring blooms and extensive gardens. On the Sunday as well as a beautiful display of spring flowers we have a jazz band performing "Jazz Antics" with Suzann Frisk from 12 noon till 3pm. September 2008 ? Ferny Creek Agricultural Hall, Hilton Road, Ferny Creek

Ferny Creek Spring Flower Show Rhododendrons, azaleas, daffodils and other spring blooms. Enjoy a Devonshire tea in the spacious gardens. September 2008 ? Ferney Creek Horticultural Society Hall, Hilton Road, Ferny Creek

Great Train Race An annual event where runners of all abilities race against Puffing Billy. May 2008 ? Belgrave to Emerald Lake

Lavender Harvest Festival A celebration of the harvest. November 2008 ? Wantirna Lavender Farm, 105 Quayle Rd, Wandin Yallock

Lilydale Show A traditional country show November 2008 ? Lilydale Recreation Reserve, Lilydale

Melba Festival A wide range entertainment and music from classical (with of course reference to Dame Nellie Melba) to jazz performed in a variety of atmospheric venues. March 2009 ? Yarra Valley

Monbulk Music Festival Previously known as the Mobulk Jazz and Blues Festival. The 2005 festival has been cancelled due to lack of sponsorship. The organisers hope to have the festival running again in 2006 December 2008 ? Monbulk

Mount Dandenong Pre-School Annual Chestnut Festival Held annually by the Mt Dandenong Preschool on the Kalorama Reserve in the Dandenong Ranges. Market stalls, fair ground rides, fairy floss, hot food and, of course, roasted chestnuts! Full details at Chestnut Festival. April 2010 ? Kalorama Reserve, Mt. Dandenong Tourist Rd., Kalorama Reserve, Kalorama

Mount Dandenong Village Festival Mount Dandenong Village is set in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges. Just one hour from Melbourne CBD. Sunday 30th November will see the village hold its 4th Village Festival. There shall be live music, a street market, games and rides for all the family. Free face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and much more. There are beautiful shops in the village including crafts, antiques and home wares. The village has a wide variety of places to eat, from pub food to fine dining at The Wild Oak Restaurant. Executive Chef Ben Higgs of The Wild Oak restaurant and wild Oak cooking school shall be giving free cooking demos throughout the day. To book a stall, please mail traders@MtDandenong.org.au November 2009 ? Mount Dandenong Village

Mt Dandenong Food & Wine Festival Food & Wine tastings, market stalls, November 2008 ? Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Mt Dandenong

Oppy Family Fun Ride A family fun ride in celebration of the achievements of Sir Hubert Opperman. Choose from a 2km or 14.4km ride, March 2009 ? Ferntree Gully Reserve, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully

PAVE Festival - Performing And Visual arts in Emerald An arts festival with a difference. Different events every day ranging from spectator to participatory. Music, workshops, exhibitions, performances, Circus Oz, competitions, public art, kids events, Freeza event, markets and much more. Most events free or gold coin. Some cover charges apply. Check out www.pave.org.au for program listings and further information or email info@pave.org.au April 2010 ? Emerald

Ranges Folk Festival International & local performers in beautiful surroundings. April 2009 ? National Rhododendron Gardens, Georgia Road, Olinda

Spring Festival Experience spring in these delightful gardens. September 2008 ? National Rhododendron Gardens, Georgian Road, Olinda

Springfest in Warburton Family activities, stalls, demonstrations, music, dancing and much more. November 2008 ? Warburton Primary School, Horners Road, Warburton

Tesselaar Tulip Festival - Turkish Weekend The festival organized by the Australian Turkish Cultural Platform (www.atcp.com.au) celebrates Turkish culture through music, art, crafts, Ottoman Army band march, dance, coffee cup reading, bely dancing workshop, shows and fabulous Turkish food. This wonderful event effectively brings Turkey to Melbourne. September 2009 ? Tesselaar Tulip Farm 357 Monbulk Rd, Silvan

Tesselar Tulip Festival Tulips are magic for so many reasons, their exotic majesty a reflection of natures miraculous beauty. They encompass every colour from dazzling to delicate hues in patterns most daring and others most plain. They have inspired poets and artists and bewitched nations with their allure. They are the stuff of legend, and rumoured to be the sleeping cradles of the fairies. They are even said to have their origin in the blood of a star crossed lover. There are more than half a million enchanted bulbs set to transform into beautiful flowers in the field. Escape the every day for a little hocus pocus at a festival packed with entertainment and splendour. Delight in the magic of spring at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. Food + Drink available, Free off street parking, Wheelchair friendly, Dogs on leads welcomed and most of all don't forget your camera. $16, Conc. $12, U16 free, Groups 10 or more $12 per head September 2010 ? Tesselaar Tulip Farm 357 Monbulk Rd, Silvan

The Basin Music Festival An eclectic blend of blues, jazz, roots, world, Celtic, folk and a cappella close to Melbourne in the beautiful foothills of the Dandenongs. Also a Youth Stage, songwriting competition, market stalls and community expo. March 2010 ? The Basin village - corner Mountain Highway and Forest Road

Warburton Winter Film Festival The latest shorts and features with meals supplied. June 2008 ? Upper Yarra Arts & Entertainment Centre, Warburton

Yarra Valley Strawberry Festival A Strawberry festival with market stalls,live entertainment including a live band, a jumping castle, rides, strawberry eating competitions, animal farm, cream teas, sparkling wine and strawberries, and a barbeque. November 2008 ? Lilydale Showgrounds, Lilydale

These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".

Puffing Billy Steam Train
© Australian Pacific Touring

Puffing Billy & Yarra Valley
Wineries Tour

Seal Rocks © Gray Line

Grand Penguins, Seals
& Dandenongs Tour

Dandenongs
© Australian Pacific Touring

Melbourne City Sights
& Dandenongs Tour

Kookaburra
© Gray Line

Melbourne Highlights
Afternoon Tour