Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley best places to visit after lockdown
From gin classes to a chocolate paradise, check out some of the best places to visit in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.
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Melburnians can finally visit the spectacular Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Ranges again, and there’s no shortage of amazing places to check out.
While some attractions and shops remain closed until Melbourne reaches 80 per cent double dosed vaccination rates, other businesses are ready to welcome back customers.
Check out our guide to what’s open and what’s on.
FOUR PILLARS GIN
2A Lilydale Rd, Healesville
The popular gin distillery is opening its doors Friday, October 22 and is taking bookings for fully vaccinated visitors.
Gin tastings are back and Australian Christmas Gin masterclasses are planned in coming weeks.
HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY
Glen Eadie Ave
The Sanctuary will welcome back animal lovers on October 26, but with very limited capacity, bookings are essential.
If you can, the popular zoo invites you to hold off visiting until after November 5, when restrictions are expected to ease further.
YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATERIE & ICE CREAMERY
35 Old Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen
Owners Ian and Leanne Neeland are thrilled to be welcoming back visitors from metropolitan Melbourne after months of lockdown.
The business can welcome 98 visitors to its chocolate showroom and 70 to its cafe (20 inside and 50 outside).
As required staff will be checking the vaccination status of guests to the cafe.
“Our beautiful grounds are also a great spot for a picnic to enjoy delights from our cafe and of course our outdoor kiosk will be busy serving 24 flavours ice creams and hot and cold drinks,” Mr Neeland said.
“To coincide with (Friday’s) opening we are launching our Christmas range of 30,000 chocolate gifts and products. Visitors will be walk into our stunning showroom and be amazed by our fabulous display of all things Christmas.”
REDWOOD FOREST
Cement Creek Rd, East Warburton
Warburton’s popular Redwood Forest will also be open this weekend, with a Covid Safe plan in place for the site.
Parks Victoria is working collaboratively with Victoria Police and Yarra Ranges Council in anticipation of increased visitation in the region.
WARBURTON WATER WORLD
20 Woods Point Rd, Warburton
Yarra Ranges Council’s latest water park has been a huge hit, and includes a playspace and recreation area for people of all ages.
The council is advising visitors to park at Warburton Recreation Reserve, or use the drop-off point at Warburton Holiday Park.
PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS
140 Springs Lane, Fingal
The Bath House will re-open to limited numbers of fully vaccinated guests on Saturday.
Visitors can slip into their favourite pools for a well deserved soak, however there will be no access to saunas, steam rooms and hammam.
Change rooms will also be off limits so bathers will need to arrive come dressed for the water, keep masks on inside and outside and leave all valuables at home.
Bookings for all other experiences including the Spa Dreaming Centre and glamping will open from November 5 when the 80 per cent vaccination target is reached,
MORNINGTON PENINSULA CHOCOLATERIE
45 Cook Street, Flinders
This Flinders sweet spot never closed during lockdown and staff are looking forward to seeing customers from far and wide from 9am on Friday. Visitors can stock up on Halloween candy, get a sneak peak of the Christmas range and pick a slab of limited edition rocky road. The shop has 12 to choose from as part of the Rocktober Rocky Road Festival. There’s also take away coffee and silky smooth gelato.
BREWERIES
Jetty Road, 12-14 Brasser Ave, Dromana
Red Hill Brewery, 88 Shoreham Road, Red Hill
Two Bays Brewing Co, Unit 1, 2 Trewhitt Court, Dromana
It’s time to get on the beers! Brew crews from across the Mornington Peninsula can’t wait to pour you a frothie. Some, like Jetty Road and Two Bays are offering hot food with the cold beer and have limited bookings. Jetty Road will be open for lunch and dinner from noon Friday and Two Bays is reopening at noon on Saturday for pizza and beer. Others, such as the region’s original brewery in Red Hill are for drinking only. Red Hill Brewery will be serving pots, pints and paddles from 11am Friday with happy hour kicking off at 4pm.
MARKETS
Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Rd, Berwick
Mornington Racecourse, 320 Racecourse Rd, Mornington
Yarra Glen Raceourse, 2 Armstrong Grove, Yarra Glen
Craft Markets Australia is celebrating the end of travel restrictions with two events this weekend. It will launch a brand new market at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick on Saturday from 8am to 1pm. Shoppers can browse food and essential products stalls set up in the historic grounds and gardens. There is also a large children’s playground, barbecue and picnic area and plenty of parking. A second market will be held at Mornington Racecourse on Sunday from 8am to 1pm. Craft Markets Australia chief executive Louise Gamon said a Covid safe plan would be in place with all stallholders fully vaccinated, density limits observed and crowd counters in place. Visitors will need to check in but do not have to be fully vaccinated. “We will have a sprinkling of retail at both markets but the main focus will be on food and essential products,” Ms Gamon said. She said stallholders were thrilled to be welcoming back visitors from further afield. “We also really excited about our bumper market at Yarra Glen (racecourse) on Melbourne Cup long weekend (October 31) which will be the perfect place to start the Christmas shopping.”
MOONLIT SANCTUARY
This award-winning wildlife park turned 20 in lockdown and the Australian animals are ready to party when Moonlit Sanctuary reopens on Friday to fully vaccinated guests. All guests must check in via the QR code to enter and daily numbers will be limited and staggered to meet social distancing requirements. Masks must also be work while at the sanctuary. Tickets for entry must be pre-purchased online and visit dates and times followed. The park also recommends booking animal food and encounters online before arrival.
ATTRACTIONS STILL CLOSED
Not all our favourites are ready to welcome us back just yet.
Some have to wait until 80 per cent of Victorians are jabbed while others need more time to get ready to open their doors again.
Most are taking booking now for November 5 onwards.
They include The Enchanted Adventure Garden, Arthurs Seat Eagle, Dinosaur World (open October 29) and Gumbuyah World on the Mornington Peninsula and Puffing Billy in the Dandenong Ranges.
The 1000 Steps is still under repair and will not open until 2022.
