Main street of Healesville

Healesville
Attractive township surrounded by vineyards and low lying mountains.
Healesville is a flourishing tourist resort located amidst scenic countryside at the confluence of the Watts River and Grace Burn Creek, 60 km east of Melbourne and 81 metres above sea-level. In recent times the area to the west of the town has seen a proliferation of vineyards and the town itself is famous for its widely publicised Healesville Sanctuary. The current population of Healesville is 5416, plus another 1398 at Badger Creek.

The area around Healesville was originally occupied by the Yarra Yarra or Wurrundjeri Aboriginal group who were settled at the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reservation on Badger Creek, 5 km south of the town, from 1863. This reservation, and others created around the same time, became infamous with many Aborigines dying through disease and maltreatment. In 'The Kurnai of Gippsland' Authors Phillip Pepper and Tess De Araugo report that by 1881 'the death rate was so high on all the Aboriginal reserves throughout Victoria that there was serious talk of closing ... Coranderrk ... where there were not enough healthy men to work on the farms'.

This was confirmed by a letter which appeared in The Age on 22 September 1886 which was a petition drawn up the people at Coranderrk and presented to the Chief Secretary of Victoria by Barak and Punch, two of the oldest and most respected Aborigines in the community. It read: 'We wish to ask for our wishes, that is could we get our freedom to go away shearing and harvesting, and come home when we wish, and also to go for the good of our health when we need it; and we aboriginals all wish and hope to have freedom, not to be bound down by the protection of the board ... There is only a few blacks now remaining in Victoria. We are all dying away now, and we blacks of aboriginal blood wish to have our freedom for all our lifetime, for the population is small, and the increase is slow.'

In 1922, with their numbers greatly depleted, the mission was closed and the remnants of the Yarra Yarra people were moved to Lake Tyers in Gippsland. Today, as far as can be determined, there are no Yarra Yarra people left. Barak, referred to by some sources as 'the last king of the Yarra Yarra tribe' and a person reputedly at the meeting between Aboriginal leaders and John Batman in which Batman 'bought' Port Phillip, died in 1903 and is buried in the Coranderrk Aboriginal cemetery in Picaninny Rd (which runs off the Healesville-Koo-wee-rup Rd) to the south of town.

The first pastoralist took up a run in the area in 1839. However, there was no settlement to speak of when a party from Melbourne, dissatisfied with the existing route, blazed a new trail to the booming Woods Point goldfield c.1860 (see entry on Jamieson). This track passed by a little to the north of the present site of Healesville. A few lodging houses, a blacksmith's and a mining warden's office were established at a settlement known as New Chum Creek which served the needs of the peripatetic diggers. Two hotels were established 8 km further east along the route, at Fernshaw.

In 1863 a new road to Woods Point was surveyed, passing through land full of wild clematis, Christmas bush and eucalyptus trees. A townsite was surveyed in 1864 and named after Richard Heales, the Victorian premier from 1860-61 who had died that same year. This township initially developed on the back of the Woods Point miners. Shops began to emerge and timbercutters, who would prove important to the area's economy in the early days, started to arrive as New Chum Creek was abandoned.

In 1865 town lots were sold and the first local pub and sawmill were built. The following year saw the construction of both the district's first school and a police station. A small building constructed of palings was erected in 1869 to serve as an Anglican church. A more substantial church building was erected in the early 1870s in the town's main street for the use of all Protestant denominations.

As returns at Woods Point declined some of the miners decided to settle at Healesville. They turned to farming, fruit-growing and hop-growing. By 1873, 324 ha had been cleared for grazing and 60 ha for wheat.

With the ongoing improvement of the roads, Cobb & Co established a coach service from Healesville over Black Spur to Maryland in the late 1870s.

The arrival of the railway in 1889 enabled the development of Healesville as a tourist attraction and the first guesthouses emerged at this time. The New Chum area was opened for selection in 1892 and 809 ha of the old Coranderrk Mission were resumed two years later for selection. The area experienced a recession at the turn of the century as a result of competition from Tasmanian hops and owing to a ban on the timber industry in the water catchment area at Fernshaw.

When Coranderrk Mission closed in 1922 the remaining land was subdivided for soldier settlement. The Colin Mackenzie Sanctuary (now the Healesville Sanctuary) opened in 1934 and the first platypus bred in captivity was born there c.1943.

The Healesville Market operates on the first Sunday of the month in the carpark behind the main street shops (carparking is available along River St and on the old caravan park site) while the Badger Creek Craft Market is held on the fourth Sunday of each month from February to November (and most long weekends) in Badger Creek Road.

The Healesville Gateway Festival is held in early November in and around the township and the Honda Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival is held at the end of February in many vineyards around the Yarra Valley.

Things to see:  

Domaine Chandon vineyard near Healesville

Tourist Information and Historic Lock-Up
Healesville Information Centre is located at 12 Maroondah Hwy, tel: (03) 5962 2600. Adjacent is the town's oldest surviving building - the police lock-up - which is all that remains of the original 1866 police station.

Mission Church
The town's second-oldest extant structure is the old Mission Church (1875) which originally served as an all-purpose Protestant church. It was purchased by the Presbyterians c.1890 as, by then, the other major denominations had their own churches. It still stands today behind the Uniting Church which is located on the Maroondah Highway, just to the west of the Badger Creek Road intersection.

The Yarra Valley Tourist Railway
The Yarra Valley Tourist Railway operates motorised trolley rides from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. They start from the old Healesville railway station on the Healesville-Kinglake Road and depart every hour between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays and Wednesday to Sunday during School Holidays.tel:(03) 5962 2490.

The Hedgend Maze
The Hedgend Maze is a 1200-metre hedge maze with a treasure hunt, a rainbow maze, 18-hole mini-golf, frisbee golf, giant draughts and other games and puzzles. There are tea rooms with fine views, along with picnic and barbecue facilities and a kiosk. Group concessions are available. It is located in Albert Rd, which runs between Badger Creek Road and the Healesville-Koo-wee-rup Rd, and it is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to dusk, tel: (03) 5962 3636.

Healesville Art Gallery
Further south on Badger Creek Road is a turnoff on the left into Nigel Court. At 11-13 is the Healesville Art Gallery which is located in a bushland setting with native birdlife. It features an ever-changing exhibition of paintings, jewellery and pottery by local artists, together with a display of gemstones, crystals and mineral specimens, particularly opals. The Gallery is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5962 4147.

Healesville Sanctuary
At the southern end of Badger Creek Road is a roundabout. Gleneadie Ave, which heads west off this roundabout, leads past the entry to Healesville Sanctuary which was established on land that was previously part of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Mission. The reserve was started by Sir Colin McKenzie who leased the land from the government and used the area to study native fauna for medical research. When he moved on to Canberra the land was handed on to the local council and the 31-ha sanctuary opened in 1934.

Today it features over 200 species of native mammals, reptiles and birds in a natural bushland setting. There is a circular walking track which leads through a number of roomy enclosures, wetlands, display centres and aviaries. The sanctuary's fauna includes Tasmanian devils, lyrebirds, an 800-strong ibis colony, kangaroos, emus, wallabies, dingoes, echidnas, owls, cockatoos, flying foxes, dingoes, lorikeets, bats, lizards and many others. There are regular demonstrations such as snake shows, the very popular feeding of the eagles and displays of wombats, koalas, pelicans and the platypus (these 'close-ups' occur at set times which are advertised at the entrance).

Picnic and barbecue facilities are provided throughout the park and there are several kiosks, a bistro and a takeaway. There is also an Australiana/gift shop.

Healesville Sanctuary is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. Guided tours and package tours are available, tel: (03) 5957 2800.

Galeena Beek Living Cultural Centre
Opposite the entry to Healesville Sanctuary, in Gleneadie Ave, is the Galeena Beek Living Cultural Centre which offers an experience in Aboriginal cultural heritage, including live dance performances and guided bushwalks, tel: (03) 5962 1119.

Badger Weir Park
Badger Weir Park is a landscaped area which is part of Yarra Ranges National Park. The weir itself gathers water from the protected catchment and relays it to Silvan Reservoir (see entry on Monbulk). The catchment area has been in use since the late 19th century and the first Badger Weir was constructed in 1908.

There are several short walking trails through fern gullies and mature forests of mountain ash and manna gum. The walk to Badger Weir (1 km one way) mostly follows the course of the open-channel aqueduct.

The picnic area has wood barbecues (wood is provided), picnic tables and rotundas, along with information boards, hot water on weekends and toilet facilities. It is usually open daily from 8.30 a.m. to sunset, although the opening hours are extended to 9.00 p.m. in December and January and retarded to 5.00 p.m. from June to July, tel: 131 963.

To get there, head south of Healesville's centre on either Badger Creek Road or Don Road. At the intersection of these two main roads there is a signposted turnoff into Badger Weir Road.

Malleson Lookout
Don Road continues in a south-easterly direction beyond the intersection with Badger Creek Road and Badger Weir Road. About 4 km beyond this intersection (10 km from Healesville), on the right-hand side of the road, is Malleson Lookout.

There is an intersection after about another kilometre. If you turn left along what is known as Ben Cairn Road or Mt Donna Buang Road it provides access to Ben Cairn, Mt Donna Buang Scenic Reserve and the Cement Creek Walk (see entry on Warburton). However, this road is closed in winter owing to snowfall.

Maroondah Reservoir Park
About 4 km east of Healesville, along the Maroondah Highway, is a turnoff on the left into Maroondah Reservoir Park which features formal exotic gardens, native bushland, walking trails, information boards, scenic views of the reservoir, picnic areas, water, toilets, camping facilities and barbecues. The park is open from 8.30 a.m. to sunset, tel: (03) 5962 3663.

Just beyond the turnoff to the park is Selover's Lookout.

Fernshaw Park
Fernshaw Park is a forest area at the foot of the Black Spur amidst mountain ash and fir trees. There are walking tracks, a parking area, picnic, barbecue and toilet facilities. It is located 11 km north-east of Healesville on the eastern side of the Maroondah Highway and it is open daily, tel: (03) 5962 6228.

Dom Dom Saddle
Another 6 km along the Maroondah Highway, atop Black Spur, is Dom Dom Saddle (732 m above sea-level) where there is a picnic reserve amidst large oaks and elms.

Donnellys Weir Park
St Leonards Road heads north off the Maroondah Highway from the centre of Healesville. After a little over a kilometre there is a turnoff on the right into Donnellys Weir Road which leads to a small nature reserve beside the old stone weir. There are walking trails through the forest, picnic-barbecue areas, toilets and parking. It is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. in summer, closing at 4.00 p.m. in winter. It is also the starting point of the 5000-km National Walking and Horseriding Trail to Cooktown in Queensland.

Mt St Leonard
St Leonards Road continues north as Myers Creek Road. 12 km north of Healesville is a signposted turnoff on the right into Monda Track which soon leads to a carpark from whence there is a 1.3-km walk to the summit of Mt St Leonard (1028 m) where there is a fire tower and excellent views, tel: 131 963.

The Singing Gardens of C.J. Dennis
You can take either Myers Creek Road or the Healesville-Kinglake Rd north to Toolangi which is 16 km from Healesville. On the right-hand side of the road are the Singing Gardens of Australian poet C.J. Dennis who lived at Toolangi from 1908 until his death in 1938. While at Toolangi Dennis published his first collection of poetry (1913), The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke (partially written at Kallista and published in 1915, The Moods of Ginger Mick (1916) and The Glugs of Gosh (1917). On the proceeds from The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke he built a house (which he called Arden after the forest in Shakespeare's As You Like It) and got married in 1917. In 1922 Dennis joined the staff of the Herald and thence divided his time between Melbourne and Toolangi.

Dennis's last book, The Singing Garden (1935), was inspired by his garden at Toolangi. The house burned down in the 1960s although the garden he created with his wife remains. They now cover 1.5 ha and feature rhododendrons and exotic trees including a copper beech planted by English Poet Laureate John Masefield who visited Dennis during the state's centenary celebrations.This event prompted the composition of 'The Tree', from The Singing Garden anthology.

Devonshire teas and light lunches are served at the tearooms. They are open every day but Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. but close in August and on Christmas Day, tel: (03) 5962 9282.

The Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre
On the other side of the road is the Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre. Set amidst messmate and mountain ash forests it is essentially an educational facility providing information on aspects of the forest and its habitats. School groups and specialist activities are conducted and there is a sculpture exhibition, a holiday program and a shop selling locally-crafted wooden artefacts, souvenirs and books on local history and scenic spots in the area.

There are also several walking tracks which are detailed in information available at the centre. The Wirrawilla Walk (20 minutes) is a short and easy-going boardwalk loop track through local rainforest with wheelchair access. The Forest Sculpture Trail (one hour) takes in nine works by sculptors of international repute and views both of Melbourne and the district. The Yea River Walk is an easy 45 minutes.

The centre is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and there is a small entry fee, tel: (03) 5962 9314.

Toolangi Pottery
Just beyond the Discovery Centre, on the same side of the road, is Cherrys Lane. Along here is the workshop of David Williams who creates unique crystalline glazed ceramics which have been exhibited in the National Gallery of Victoria. Toolangi Pottery is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5962 9287.

Other Galleries and Antique Centres of Healesville
Silvermist Studio Gallery features hand-made gold and silver jewellery, along with paintings, sculpture, glass and ceramics. It is located at 136 Maroondah Highway and is open from Thursday to Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5962 5470.

Jacques Antiques and Collectables are also located on the highway, between Badger Creek Road and Crowley Road. They have furniture, china, glass and collectables and are open from Tuesday to Sunday (10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.) and Mondays on long weekends and in the school holidays, tel: (03) 5962 6393.

The Church Street Gallery and Cafe specialises in handpainted glass, silk, lamps, watercolours and furniture. It is located in the old mechanics' institute at 4 Church St and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5962 2117.

Tuscany Galleries are at 505 Maroondah Highway, adjacent Maroondah Dam, about 4 km east of Healesville. They offer a range of Australian art, porcelain, pottery and sculpture and are open Friday to Sunday and public holidays from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5962 5917.

The HCP Antique Emporium is a huge undercover antique centre which is a venue for around 30 dealers. It is open daily from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and is located on Badger Creek Road opposite the intersection with Airlie Road, tel: (03) 5962 4433.

Healesville Skin and Spa Day Centre
This spa offers a range of beauty treatments, including aromatherapy, tel: (03) 5962 1912.

Chum Creek Winery
Chum Creek Winery is a family winery with fine views and picnic-barbecue areas. It is open weekends and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5962 5551. To get there, follow the Healesville-Kinglake Road (aka Chum Creek Road) out of town. About 7 km north of Healesville's town centre turn left into Cunninghams Rd.

The Dairy Cheese, a boutique soft cheese maker, near Healesville

Wineries to the West
On the Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd is Tarrawarra Vineyard, established in 1983, which specialises in pinot noir and chardonnay. It is open daily from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (coaches by appointment), tel: (03) 5962 3311.

Before you get to Tarrawarra Estate, the Old Healesville Rd heads north-west off the Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd. You will soon come to a right turn into Long Gully Rd where you will find Long Gully Estate which is open from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. weekends and public holidays or by appointment. Established in 1972 it produces riesling, semillon, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, rose, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot and port, tel: (03) 9510 5798.

Further west along Old Healesville Rd, at no.518, is Yarra Track Winery which makes chardonnay and pinot noir. It is open weekends and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. or by arrangement, tel: (03) 9730 1349.

Wineries to the South-West (and Chocolates)
There are a number of wineries south-west of town via the Maroondah Highway. At the corner of the highway and Hill Rd (5 km from Healesville) is Eyton-on-Yarra, established in 1993, where the cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. It specialises in chardonnay and pinot noir. The award-winning restaurant is open daily from midday to 3.00 p.m. while a cafe provides refreshments until closing time. This architecturally interesting complex, with its lookout tower and cinema, is used for the annual Eyton Summer Music Series which is held between October and March, tel: (03) 5962 2119.

A little further along the highway (at no.874) is Badger's Brook Winery which is open weekends and public holidays from midday to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5962 4130.

Just beyond the Badger's Brook Winery is a left turn into Maddens Lane. A short distance along Maddens Lane is a left turn into Briarty Rd where you will find Yarra Yering Winery which, at this stage, will only be open on the first weekend in the month of May 2000, tel: (03) 5964 9267. Chocolate makers Kennedy and Wilson are also in Briarty Rd. They are open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on weekends only, tel: (03) 5964 9549.

If you ignore this turnoff and continue south on Maddens Lane, to no.27, you will find Warramate Vineyard. Established in 1970, this winery overlooks the Yarra Valley. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. daily and produces riesling, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, tel: (03) 5964 9219.

At 31 Maddens Lane is Coldstream Hills Winery which was established in 1985. produces chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, a sparkling wine and cabernet sauvignon. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 5964 9410.

Back on the Maroondah Highway, just west of the Maddens Lane turnoff (at no. 864), is Oakridge Estate which is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. It produces cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Complementary antipasto is provided and light lunches are available on weekends and public holidays. There is a picnic area, tel: (03) 9739 1920.

Further south-west along the highway, at 'Green Point', is Domaine Chandon which produces methode champenoise and still wines. A complementary gourmet platter is provided and there are guided tours of the winery which is open daily from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., tel: (03) 9739 1110. Musica Viva Australia is held in April and a vintage car show in March. The winery is also a stopover on Go Wild Ballooning's hot-air balloon trips, tel: (03) 9890 0339 or (0418) 395 867.

15 km south-west of Healesville, along the Maroondah Highway, is a turnoff on the right into St Huberts Rd. At this corner is St Huberts Vineyard which was established in 1862 and replanted in 1966. It produces chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, roussanne, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet merlot, pinot noir/chardonnay and a sparkling wine and it is open weekdays from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and weekends from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. There are picnic, barbecue and playground facilities and jazz concerts are held throughout the summer, tel: (03) 9739 1118.

Tours
Yarra Valley Winery Tours offer personalised tours for travellers, social, business and conference groups which include lunch, wine tastings at Yarra Valley wineries, a pick-up and return service and an on-board tour host, tel: (03) 5962 3870.

Adventure Tag Along Tours offer canoeing, caving and abseiling tours, tel: (03) 9761 8445.

Eco-Adventure Tours offer nightwalks at Maroondah Reservoir Park and Badger Weir, with an optional barbecue dinner, tel: (03) 5962 5115.

	Tourist Information
	Healesville Information Centre Harker St Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 2600 Facsimile: (03) 5962 2040
	Motels
	Healesville Maroondah View Motel & Dam Restaurant 1 McKenzie Ave Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4154 Facsimile: (03) 5962 3782 Rating: ***1/2
	Yarra Gables Motel 55 Maroondah Hwy Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 1323 Facsimile: (03) 5962 6321 Rating: ****
	Healesville Motor Inn 45 Maroondah Hwy Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 5188 or (03) 5962 5251 Rating: ***1/2
	Sanctuary House Motel Badger Creek Rd Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 5148 Facsimile: (03) 5962 5392 Rating: ***1/2
	Hotels
	Grand Hotel Maroondah Hwy Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4003
	Healesville Hotel Maroondah Hwy Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4002
	Terminus Hotel/Motel 23 Hawker St Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4011 Rating: **
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Aunt Gracie's Bed & Breakfast Lot 5 Maroondah Pde P.O. Box 109 Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 3748 Rating: ****
	Tallawalla Lodge Bed & Breakfast Toolangi via Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 9219 Rating: ****
	Wide Horizons Bed & Breakfast Lot 27 Juliet Cres. Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4119 Facsimile: (03) 5962 4571 Rating: ****
	Strathvea Guesthouse Myers Creek Rd Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4109 Facsimile: (03) 5962 3939 Rating: ***
	Brentwood Bed & Breakfast 506 Myers Creek Rd P.O. Box 291 Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 5028 Facsimile: (03) 5962 4749 Rating: ***
	Apartments
	Orchid Villas 3 McKenzie St Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4154
	Lodges & Chalets
	Mt Rael Lodge & Restaurant Yarra Glen Rd Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4107 Rating: ****
	Caravan Parks
	Ashgrove Caravan Park 322 Don Rd Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4398 Facsimile: (03) 5962 4398 Rating: ****
	Badger Creek Caravan & Holiday Park Don Rd Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4328 Rating: ****1/2
	Restaurants
	Healesville Maroondah View Motel & Dam Restaurant 1 McKenzie Ave Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4154 Facsimile: (03) 5962 3782
	Ming Garden Chinese Restaurant Maroondah Hwy Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 5067
	Montiverdi Pizza Maroondah Hwy Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4455
	Mt Rael Restaurant & Lodge Yarra Glen Rd Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4107
	Oi Kwun Chinese Restaurant Maroondah Hwy Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 5308
	PK's On West End Restaurant Maroondah Hwy Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4911
	Sanctuary House Motel Badger Creek Rd Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 5148 Facsimile: (03) 5962 5392
	Strathvea Guesthouse Restaurant Myers Creek Rd Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4109 Facsimile: (03) 5962 3939
	Terminus Hotel/Motel 23 Hawker St Healesville VIC 3777 Telephone: (03) 5962 4011