Experience the Yarra Valley

By Jenny Brewer

Under an hours drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is perfect for a getaway to recharge the batteries and enjoy breathtaking scenery. There is so much to do in this beautiful region of Victoria, also known as one of the world great wine growing regions, and famous for its pinot noir and sparkling champagne.

There are plenty of locals who also flock to this area to enjoy a weekend away. The blue ranges, massive trees, rivers and valleys all combine to create an irresistible escape from the frantic city life. Set aside at least a minimum of two days here to take in the scenery and enjoy the countryside. There are pretty towns nestled in the rolling hills of the valley waiting to be explored, and so many fine foods and wines to sample.

With incredible accommodation choices, the Yarra Valley is ideal for the driving holiday, with a vast choice of cosy bed and breakfasts, self-contained cottages through to five star hotels. You will not want to leave once you have settled in.

Follow the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road and you will arrive at one of the most sought after regions in Victoria, the Dandenong Ranges. Ideal for a weekend retreat, the majestic forests, amazing gardens and panoramic views of the Yarra Valley are the most distinct drawcards for tourists. Home of the Rhododendron, the gardens go on and on and will lead you to art galleries and cosy cafés. There is even a local Puffing Billy which will take you through old villages and through incredible scenery. There are kilometres of walking tracks also featuring the Thousand Steps and The Sherbrooke Forest.

Further down the range is the town of Healesville, which is known for its extensive Sanctuary wildlife park. It is home to a myriad of birdlife, and boasts over 200 species of animals such as the platypus, Tasmanian devil, dingos, echidnas, koalas, emus and wombats. There is also a fascinating 'Birds of Prey' presentation that will give you a greater insight into the peregrine falcon and the wedge tailed eagle. Healesville is also known for its yearly Grape Grazing Festival and Yarra Valley Tourist Railway.

Yarra Glen is located in the heart of the Valley and hosts many award winning wineries. There is plenty to do here, such as walk the eighteen kilometre Sugarloaf Reservoir Park, relax at the Immerse Spa and Winery or even enjoy a balloon flight over the valley to enjoy the sunrise.

Not far away is Marysville. This is a beautiful town also known as the gateway to Lake Mountain. It comes alive in every season, especially spring with its picturesque cottage gardens and oak trees lining the streets, and winter when the snowfields beckon avid skiers to enjoy the slopes. Steavenson Falls is a magnificent attraction, known as one of the highest waterfalls in Victoria. Lady Talbot Drive is perfect for a picnic lunch surrounded by eucalyptus forest followed by a rainforest walk. The Cumberland Scenic Reserve features the tallest tree known in Victoria, known as 'The Big Tree', and the Cora Lynn Falls are also worth a visit.

Warburton is one of the most attractive towns in the entire valley. It is also known as a health retreat and welcoming for all desiring a complete break from the pressures of life. With forests, rivers, wineries and plenty of activities and attractions, make sure this is on your list of places to see.

The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is popular for cycling or walking enthusiasts, and there is a shorter walk to Lala falls. The Mt Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery offers a fantastic treetop skywalk which is a great way for all ages to see the beautiful rainforest. There is even a night tour to the Upper Yarra Reservoir Park. There are plenty of walks which begin close to town and into the Mountain Ash forests. You will certainly leave here feeling fit and rejuvenated.

For some it would be enough to enjoy the views of the sun setting accompanied with a glass of local wine, browsing the boutiques and enjoying a visit to the wildlife sanctuary. Others seeking outdoor adventure will love the treetop skywalk, cross country skiing at Lake Mountain or abundance of cycling and bushwalking tracks. For whoever is blessed to visit this abundant region, the outcome is still the same. They will return home relaxed and more than likely planning a return trip.

Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit Car Hire Australia

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Brewer

Tips on How to Go about Photography Melbourne?

Author: Jack Wilson

Photographing Melbourne is a shutter bug's delight. Being one of the most important cities in the Southern hemisphere of the globe, Melbourne photographer finds the city that radiates an aura like no other city. Melbourne derives its beauty from the well maintained river front, the landscaped and manicured parks and the towering buildings that dominate its skyline. The planning of the city is so eloquent that there is perfect harmony between concrete and green, thereby rendering city photography Melbourne all the more soothing and delicate.
The typical Melbourne photographer abounds in the city. Melbourne is just too compelling for photographers to give it a miss. And with the advent of digital cameras, more photographers indulge in shooting the various hues and colors of Melbourne. Melbourne is typically known for its lanes and by-lanes. Even though these lanes haven't resulted in formation of different cults across Melbourne, they are often credited with what is known as the birth of the laneway culture in Melbourne. These lanes and alleys are vibrant and active and offer immense variety and subjects to a budding as well as a professional photographer.
The liveliness of Melbourne is felt in these lanes; it is felt within the people doing business in these lanes and it is imbibed by people who come down to these lanes. And this liveliness finds myriad expressions through the Melbourne photographer's lenses – be it a tourist or a local resident – who is constantly striving to express the colors and feelings so vivid on these lanes.
The Melbourne photographer easily gets his contrast amidst the towering eloquent concrete that is so elegantly juxtaposed with parks, verdant gardens and broad avenues. The sky is almost always crisp – thereby enhancing the photography Melbourne. Melbourne offers immensely varied opportunity to its photographers – and professionals who want to experiment have no dearth of choice or subject. Melbourne perhaps offers every single conceivable color. Inside the lanes, it is almost preposterous to use color filters while shooting in natural light. The riot of colors inside these lanes makes are too compelling for Melbourne photographers to look elsewhere.
When it comes to architecture, Melbourne doesn't lack far behind. Filled to the gills with classic Victorian architecture, Melbourne poses enormous challenges to it photographers to capture the city in its true grandeur. Being the most important British settlement in the Southern hemisphere, Melbourne stands testimony to some classic Victorian buildings. And student and professionals alike shoot these building in their real splendor, capturing the intricate carvings, the intimate sculptures and the sheer size of the century old buildings. Whereas Victorian architecture in Melbourne provides the nostalgic feel, the modernity in the city is captured through its eloquently designed steel and concrete towers. The Melbourne photographer will mix all these architectural beauties with the verdant greens and walkways and the effect is sheer magic. The contrasting effect of buildings and trees through a photographer's eyes has always set the tone for visitors to this sprawling metropolis.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/photography-articles/tips-on-how-to-go-about-photography-melbourne-5496167.html
About the Author

Jack Wilson is a well-known Product Photography Melbournehaving more than a decade long experience. His writings on photography have trained many learners knowing more about studio photography Melbourne. His website http://www.lensartphotography.com.au/ tells you the best about his profile.