Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges have long been home to the Wurundjeri people. Through this work we honor them by activating their ancestral land and encouraging members of our community to connect with it.

Healesville Sanctuary offers visitors an immersive Australian animal experience. Meet-the-handler sessions allow visitors to interact with animals while watching majestic raptors soar across the sky.

1. William Rickett’s Sanctuary

William Ricketts Sanctuary stands atop Mount Dandenong and showcases 92 clay sculptures that form an immersive trail around it, honoring Aboriginal people and native Australian animals while allude to Dreamtime stories.

William Ricketts was an early proponent of the new age movement and an uncompromising spiritualist who sought to understand Aboriginal ways of life. Living a life of solitude in nature for inspiration, his artwork aimed to capture its beauty and spirituality – something the Sanctuary’s 92 clay sculptures demonstrate perfectly.

Ricketts sought spiritual solace at The Sanctuary as an outlet to embrace Australia’s Indigenous culture, sharing his understanding of its relationship between humans and nature with others. However, his views often caused friction with European-descended Australians who found his claims that he loved Australia due to its ancient Aboriginal past over its colonial past disconcerting.

Ricketts was profoundly moved by an American anthropologist Baldwin Pillig’s book in the early 1930s that provided him with insight into indigenous culture, which inspired his pottery pieces with themes or depictions from indigenous life. These sculptures received mixed responses; some saw them as passionate and imaginative pieces while others considered them too simplistic and superficial.

Ricketts made an indelible mark on Central Australia and Indian cultures during his years living there from 1940s-’50s, developing close ties with Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte people and drawing immense inspiration from both of these experiences to fuel his art. Additionally, his time spent there is represented through a totem animal such as his Lyrebird Totem.

William Ricketts Sanctuary is an exquisite place to discover and learn more about nature and Indigenous heritage in Victoria’s surrounding regions. Open to visitors free of charge, this serene sanctuary makes a worthwhile drive from Melbourne – and makes for a wonderful day trip or weekend adventure!

3. The Dandenong Ranges Railway

The Dandenong Ranges Railway offers more than just a train ride; it’s an adventure through time! This charming steam train travels through Melbourne’s picturesque Dandenong Ranges to the east, passing scenic rolling green hills with cool gullies full of ferns – adding charm by travelling on an original mountain track built more than 100 years ago! The whole experience adds up to an unforgettable journey through time!

In the early 1900s, this train line was one of four low-cost 2 ‘6’ (762mm) gauge lines built across Victoria as an economical alternative to broad gauge railway. Today it serves as an appealing tourist attraction that gives visitors an opportunity to slow down and enjoy Victoria’s unique flora and fauna.

Visitors to the track can disembark at various points along its length to enjoy a day out exploring. Belgrave station provides the primary starting point, operations and administration centre and main refreshment room; journeys may also start from out-stations which usually offer limited facilities such as ticket purchases, refreshments and souvenirs.

Visits to the railway are also an opportunity to gain a better understanding of its Indigenous history. Prior to European settlement, this region was home to Woiwurrung and Wurrundjeri aboriginal peoples who hunted and gathered timber, fruit and vegetables found there for food production. Today, through performances such as traditional Aboriginal dance and song reenactments as well as cultural experiences provided by the railway, visitors can pay tribute to these traditional owners of their land.

With its picturesque scenery and charming villages, the Dandenong Ranges makes an excellent family outing destination. Offering thrilling outdoor adventures, nostalgic journeys down memory lane or offering mouthwatering local food and wine tasting experiences; something can be found to suit everyone! To maximize your visit and ensure its success, stay at one of many comfortable hotels or resorts located throughout this region.

4. Olinda Falls

William Rickett’s Sanctuary can be found just north of Mount Dandenong on Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, providing a serene escape with four acres home to William Rickett’s clay sculptures by renowned Australian artist William Ricketts – famed for living among Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte Aboriginal communities which inspired his pieces.

At The Sanctuary is also located a cultural heritage project called RidgeWalk that seeks to activate Country, attract visitors and support traditional owners’ self-determination regarding custodianship of the Ranges. This initiative was born from two cultural studies conducted by Yarra Ranges Council in partnership with local history groups.

RidgeWalk is an on-going community engagement project. Beyond the 39km track, this initiative includes storytelling sessions, reenactments of traditional ceremonies and contemporary art projects as well as an online gallery and community events.

One project created in collaboration with Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) is a walking trail which explores the relationship between Wurundjeri people and their landscape, including traditional sites of significant spiritual or cultural importance and tales about creation by their ancestors as well as interpretive signage.

TarraWarra Museum of Modern Art and Burrinja Cultural Centre are also important Indigenous heritage sites to visit in the Yarra Ranges, both located on Wurundjeri land and working hard to foster meaningful relationships between themselves and First Peoples – with TarraWarra fostering an ongoing dialogue between Aboriginal communities while Burrinja supports new and experimental art practices.

Olinda, as one of the highest villages in the Yarra Ranges, is an energetic little settlement full of exciting sights and activities to do. Its charming streets are lined with shops offering everything from gourmet foods and spices, vintage sweets, handcrafted jewellery and vintage clothing – as well as cafes, fine dining restaurants, pubs and plenty more to do and see.

Olinda Falls Park and Gardens provide the ideal setting for rest and recreation, offering something for all visitors of all ages and interests. Take your picnic to enjoy Olinda Falls or stroll among dozens of public and private gardens boasting native flowers – there’s sure to be something here that appeals.