Miss Marple’s Tearoom
Bam Bam Italian
A daytrip to the Dandenong Ranges is an ideal way to get the entire family out of the house as the temperature begins to drop. Known for its mountains, scenic hikes, quaint villages and hospitality, the Dandenongs are just an hour’s drive from the Melbourne CBD. Here’s our guide to spending a day there this autumn.
Eat: Miss Marple’s Tearoom
Miss Marple’s Tearoom is housed in a Tudor-style cottage on the main strip of Sassafras, with its decor, along with its name, inspired by the famous Agatha Christie character. Expect to be surrounded by English paraphernalia and kitsch floral tablecloths, while dining on toasted fingers and traditional scones, with Devonshire tea. The scones are accompanied by generous lashings of raspberry jam and cream. It’s something of an institution (and they don’t take bookings), so be prepared for a bit of a wait for a table.
See: RJ Hamer Arboretum
A stop at the RJ Hamer Arboretum should definitely be on your itinerary for the day. The botanical garden features 101 hectares dedicated to around 150 species of both native and exotic trees. The garden is covered in mini forests replete with liquidambars, maples and deciduous conifers, all of which are in their full glory in autumn. There are also walking trails across the property and views to the Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range. The former pine plantation was established as an arboretum for less flammable species after bushfires in the 1970s destroyed the local bushland. Today, it’s also home to native wildlife of lyrebirds, echidnas, owls and crimson rosellas. The arboretum is free to the public, has dedicated picnic facilities, and dogs are welcome too.
Do: Kabloom Festival of Flowers
Open from March 25 to April 25, Kabloom Festival of Flowers is home to five acres of wildflower meadows and flower fields. There’s more to see than just the flowers though, with daily circus shows featuring balancing acts, hooping, and five-metre-high sway poles above the blooms, performed by pixies, fairies and elves. Tractor rides will depart every hour and there’s also face painting, storytelling in the fairy garden, obstacle courses and games, including croquet, totem tennis and giant chess. For hungry tummies, there is a range of food trucks, dishing up burgers, Dutch poffertjes and more – there’s also a bar for the adults. Alternatively, you can bring your own picnic for the day, and the festival is dog-friendly, so the whole family can really tag along. There’s also a flower market on-site so you can take some fresh bunches home, or hit up the nursery if you’re inspired to start growing your own. Tickets range in price, but entry is free for those aged 16 and under.
Shop: Olinda Collective
Even if you’re only visiting for the day, taking home a little souvenir is a road trip necessity. Olinda Collective is the ultimate place to discover a vast array of local talent, and it’s hard not to walk out with a new potted plant or pair of bespoke earrings. The store showcases works from around 30 local artists and makers to help springboard them into the eyes and hands of locals, Melburnians and interstate visitors. It’s open from 10am to 5pm each day, and it’s definitely easy to lose track of time among the hand-crafted toys, trinkets, delicate ceramics, vintage clothes, upcycled homewares and one-of-a-kind art.
Eat: Bam Bam Italian
A big Italian meal is an ideal way to end the day with your family. Bam Bam Italian’s casual trattoria in Avonsleigh is definitely a crowd-pleaser, specialising in antipasti, pizzas, pastas and desserts and featuring local growers’ produce, right down to the hand-milled biodynamic flour by Monbulk’s Rock Paper Flour. Open for dinner during the week, and for lunch and dinner on the weekends, the truffle field mushroom and confit garlic pizzas are a highlight, as is the spicy pan-fried calamari with ‘nduja salami and corn puree. There is also an undercover playground to keep the kids entertained while they wait for their meal, allowing you to enjoy an aperitif in peace.
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Tesselaar.
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