Attractions

Enjoy views over Melbourne; spectacular by day, stunning by night.

Just 7 minutes from Panorama Retreat & Resort

The National Rhododendron Gardens is host to brilliantly coloured blooms of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils.

Just 7 minutes from Panorama Retreat & Resort

Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia’s most loved tourist attractions and the best place in Victoria to see and interact with native Australian wildlife.

Explore a bushland haven for native wildlife, just 32 minutes from Panorama Retreat & Resort in the stunning Yarra Valley wine region.

Wander through the tranquil tracks and meet over 200 species of Australian animals including the iconic koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats and emus in their natural surrounds.

Don’t miss the world first free platypus show

Don’t miss Healesville Sanctuary’s world first free platypus show, Tales from Platypus Creek, where visitors will come face to face with this iconic species in this interactive show. Observe the platypus as they interact with keepers, play in the water and even enjoy having their tummies tickled!

Spirits of the Sky is a hugely popular free show that takes place daily. Visitors will be awed by beauty and power, as these birds demonstrate the skill we admire most – an incredible ability to fly.

Just 32 minutes from Panorama Retreat & Resort

Puffing Billy is Australia’s premiere preserved steam railway. This century-old steam train is still running on its original mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook in the scenic Dandenong Ranges and is a genuine relic of more leisurely days.

The Railway is the major survivor of four experimental lines used to develop rural areas in the early 1900s. Puffing Billy is now a major tourist attraction, its operation depending on hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

Just 16 minutes from Panorama Retreat & Resort

The quaint little village of Sassafras retains the charm of its nineteenth century prominence as a popular destination for city dwellers.

Devonshire teas
You’ll enjoy Sassafras’s cafes, tearooms and restaurants. Take Devonshire tea at Miss Marples tearoom, an authentic English cottage inspired by Agatha Christie.

Browse in the antique stores and the local specialist shops. Pick up local wine and produce at Ripe, or Sassafras General Store and Cafe, and grab a teapot souvenir from Tea Leaves.

Stroll through the beautiful Alfred Nicholas or George Tindale gardens. Push yourself to hike the 13-kilometre Sassafras Creek Forest Trail to Emerald along the mountain stream.

Linger in the lush, sun-dappled fern gullies at nearby Sherbrooke Forest as you meander past waterfalls and picnic grounds on the nature walk trails.

Just 9 minutes from Panorama Retreat & Resort.

Step back in time to an early settlement of the Dandenongs. Have you ever wondered how the pioneers of the Dandenongs lived 100 or more years ago? Take a trip back in time, to Mont De Lancey and an authentic recreation of pioneer life that will engage and entertain you and your family.

Historic Homestead

Wandin’s earliest brick homestead and its gardens have been fully restored and you can even meet some of the descendants of the pioneer families who will bring local history alive as you tour this award-winning heritage attraction in the beautiful Dandenongs.

History

When The Land Act of 1865 released virgin bushland beyond the city of Melbourne for settlement, the rich red land of the country beyond the small Lilydale township was settled by the first of Wandin’s pioneer families. Whilst some of the new arrivals were experienced farmers others took up the challenge of carving a living from the bush with little or no agricultural experience, and brought the skills of their former lives to the new settlement.

Henry Sebire was born 1828 in the Parish of St Sampson in Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, and was a stonemason by trade. In October 1849, aged 21yrs, he sailed from Plymouth in the barque ‘Maitland’ and arrived in Victoria in January 1850. In 1856 he married Martha Rihoy who was also from Guernsey and they settled in Melbourne where Henry worked at his trade in for some 17 years.

In 1867 Henry, Martha and their four young children came to Wandin where Henry selected 80 acres of bush land at the corner of Hunter and Wellington Roads and began to clear the land by hand. A condition of his lease to clear and cultivate one-tenth of the allotment within one year was rigidly enforced. A small wooden house and fences were built.

In 1873, having complied with the conditions of his lease, Henry made application to purchase the land at a cost of one pound per acre. Rent paid previously was deducted from the purchase price.

In the 1880’s Henry began to build a permanent, more substantial home, making bricks from clay on the property and quarrying stone from the hill for the foundations. The house stands today as solid as ever, on a hill overlooking the surrounding farmlands.

Just 20 minutes from Panorama Retreat & Resort

This National Trust property is one of the oldest farms in Australia.

Burrinja is a vibrant community cultural centre in the Dandenong Ranges with a clear, creative and community-based vision for the region: Building Community through Arts.

Burrinja’s function and purpose are built on a multi-element vision and program across diverse art forms and cultural activities. The centre is a cultural hub for the Dandenong Ranges that supports existing and enables the development of new, experiential and distinctive arts practice, providing outcomes that contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the region.

Just 24 minutes from Panorama Retreat & Resort

Warratina Lavender Farm is situated at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, in the beautiful Yarra Valley. A family business run by Annemarie and Peter Manders, Warratina takes pride in producing home-grown lavender products.   Visitors are invited to stroll along the different rows of species, breathe the fresh country air, and enjoy the display gardens and views of distant hills across the Yarra Ranges. Refreshments and a selection of products are available from the gift store in the Lavender Cottage Tea Rooms.