The journey to get here can be just as much fun as the destination itself! Planning a visit to discover Murrindindi Shire? Did you know there are numerous scenic routes you can take?! And one of the best bits, they’re all within a few hours of Melbourne:
- Follow the Maroondah Highway to Healesville and over the beautiful Black Spur, stopping on the other side for some lunch or refreshments at the Black Spur Inn. From here there’s options aplenty, with nearby Marysville, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort and the Cathedral Range State Park. Venture a bit further still to explore Lake Eildon National Park and the country towns of Eildon and Alexandra.
- Jump onto the Hume Highway heading north towards Victoria’s High Country and take the Broadford/Flowerdale exit to Strath Creek, before stopping at Murchison Gap Lookout for spectacular views of the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Wind your way down the hill where you can stretch the legs and give the kids some time at the playground, or head across the road to The General Strath Creek to enjoy a delicious brunch and stock up on local supplies. Less than half an hour from here is the township of Yea, the Great Victorian Rail Trail and Yea Wetlands.
- Follow the Maroondah Highway to Healesville where you can take a left towards Toolangi State Forest. Spend some time on the Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk, before getting back in the car and heading for Kinglake National Park. With a number of cafes and bakeries in the ranges, there’s plenty of options to stop and refuel. And if you’re visiting on the last Sunday of the month, be sure to swing by the Kinglake Market to browse the many stalls.
- Take the Whittlesea exit off Plenty Road and onto Whittlesea-Yea Road which brings you to Kinglake West. Allow some time to explore the Dindi Arts Trail, with 10 murals spread across the Kinglake Ranges, Toolangi and Flowerdale. Call in at a local country pub for lunch or continue your journey to the stunning Yea Valley where you can sample cool climate wines, wood fire pizzas and local artisan platters at Philip Lobley Wines and Sedona Estate. If you’ve got energy to burn, make your way to nearby Murrindindi Scenic Reserve with a range of hiking trails on offer.
Why not stay a while? With an array of accommodation options across Murrindindi Shire, make it your next weekend away or mid-week adventure.
Note – a section of the Melba Highway will be closed from 17 February to the end of March 2025 (reopening for the Labour Day long weekend). This does not impact any of the routes mentioned above. For more information, visit Transport Victoria’s website here.