The vibrant city of Melbourne not only boasts bustling urban landscapes but also offers intoxicating leisure experiences. Here, nature seems within arm’s reach. Whether it’s the beach, the forest, hot springs, orchards, or workshops, they all allow people to relax both physically and mentally.
Wild Adventure Melbourne
Just over an hour’s drive south from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is a mecca for exploring nature. Following Wild Adventure Melbourne into the heart of nature, you can not only quietly observe the activities of kangaroos but also hike through the forest to enjoy the scent of nature. While admiring the various plants, if you’re lucky, you might even spot koalas. In addition, tourists can also experience the charm of the Mornington Peninsula through various leisure activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling, cycling, and more.
Website: wildadventuresmelbourne.com
Peninsula Hot Springs
The Peninsula Hot Springs, an award-winning natural hot spring and day spa destination, is the largest hot spring complex in Australia. It features natural geothermal mineral springs and day spa facilities, where people can enjoy more than seventy wellness programs amidst nature. The most unique experiences include soaking in the hot springs while watching the first rays of the sunrise, practicing yoga in the hot springs surrounded by beautiful scenery, following the instructions of the instructor, immersing in the tranquillity and peace while communicating with nature.
Address: 140 Springs Ln, Fingal VIC 3939
Alba Thermal Springs
The Alba Thermal Springs is a tranquil hot spring resort and a haven for the soul. With a modern overall design, the main building seems to rise gently from the natural terrain. The open-air and outdoor hot spring pools exude a serene atmosphere. The sunlight shines on the walls through the floor-to-ceiling glass, and the outdoor plants, along with the play of light and shadow, seem to be in a conversation with nature. The restaurant “Thyme” offers fresh and healthy dishes, paired with high-quality coffee, herbal teas, locally cold-pressed juices, and signature cocktails.
Address: 282 Browns Road, Fingal, Victoria, 3939
Rayner’s Orchard
Rayner’s Orchard, a year-round fruit-picking paradise in the Yarra Valley!
If there’s a soul in you that loves eating fruits, then you must take a tractor tour of this organic orchard and taste the fruits that the guide picks directly from the trees, and crack open fresh nuts. This journey is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity for both adults and children to open the door to the knowledge of the fruit world. With more than 450 high-quality fruit varieties, including peaches, figs, apples, cumquats, plums, pomegranates, finger limes, macadamia nuts and more, each one will amaze your taste buds and leave you with an endless aftertaste.
The key point is that the fruits in the orchard are not supplied to the market, and people can only directly purchase the fruits in the orchard. The ultimate enjoyment is nothing more than picking a ripe fruit from the tree and enjoying it immediately! Some fruits even have to be eaten with their skin on in order to fully savour the aroma and taste of the fruits and absorb all the nutrients.
Address: 60 Schoolhouse Rd, Woori Yallock VIC 3139
Website: www.raynersorchard.com.au
Puffing Billy Railway
Puffing Billy Railway is Australia’s premier preserved steam railway. It is located in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges. Puffing Billy Railway was built in 1900 to serve the residents living in the mountainous areas of Victoria. It transported passengers as well as various goods such as timber, livestock, potatoes, plants, and so on. Nowadays, this railway has become one of the major tourist attractions.
From the moment you step onto this historic train, when you see the billowing steam coming out of the train’s chimney and hear the train’s whistle, it’s as if you’ve entered a time tunnel. As passengers travel through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, lush fern gullies brush past them, while towering Mountain Ash trees stand right above their heads. When the train passes over the iconic wooden trestle bridges and then goes down the valley to the original mountainous area between Belgrave and Gembrook, this journey is both a nostalgic experience and a wonderful trip to explore historical culture.
It is admirable that Puffing Billy Railway Company is a non-profit organization. There are more than 900 volunteers who are directly or indirectly involved. Even today, you can still see many senior volunteers in uniforms who have been serving for decades, guarding this historically significant small train.
Address: 1 Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave VIC 3160
Website: puffingbilly.com.au
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
The workshops in Melbourne are not just leisure activities for relaxing the body and mind, but also a form of art of living.
Come and enjoy a gustatory journey at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery! You can taste chocolates here and admire the exquisite craftsmanship of European master chocolatiers who have created over 480 kinds of hand-made chocolates. With chocolates of different shapes and sweetness levels, there is always a flavour that suits your taste. What’s more, you can even participate in a chocolate workshop. From learning about the origin of cocoa and its structure to making chocolates with your own hands, you can complete this sweet journey on your taste buds.
Address: 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen Vic 3775
Website: www.yvci.com.au
Red Hill Candle Co
Create your own reed diffuser or candle and leave a unique Melbourne scent in your olfactory memory! In addition to selling high-quality handmade products, Red Hill Candle Co. also offers pleasant handicraft activities for tourists. By selecting your favouriteS scents, you can create a one-of-a-kind candle or reed diffuser, which will definitely be the most sincere souvenir you can bring back from Melbourne for your relatives and friends.
Address: Factory 1, 4 Thomson Terrace Dromana, VIC 3936
Website: www.redhillcandleco.com.au