Healesville Hotel

Healesville Vic 3777 (Pop 7 500)

Healesville is a picturesque and charming township 65 km n-e of Melbourne. It is surrounded by the Yarra Ranges NP and a growing number of vineyards. Original inhabitants were the Yarra Yarra or Wurrundjeri Aborigines with European settlement beginning in 1860s. The settlement was named after Richard Heales, the Victorian Premier and the railway (1889) greatly enhanced the development of the town as a tourist destination. Healesville markets 1^st Sun each month. Grape Grazing Festival (Feb), Australian Car Rally Championships (Sept), Healesville Gateway Festival (Dec - odd numbered years). NOTE: This area was devastated by major bushfires in Feb '09 but continues to recover and rebuild.

Tourist Attractions & Info: 
Yarra Valley Tourist Railway operates motorized open-air trolley rides between Healesville and Yarra Glen. Open Sun/public holidays. Healesville Art Gallery (Nigel Court)  excellent local art, pottery and jewellery exhibitions. Open (10am-5pm) daily. 

Nearby:
Healesville Sanctuary (4 km south) Established in 1934, this 32 ha reserve is home to over 200 species of native birds, mammals and reptiles in a natural bushland environment. Open (9am-5pm) daily. Badger Weir Park (7 km s-e) part of the Yarra Ranges NP with several forest and fern walking trails, weir swimming and picnic spots. Malleson Lookout (8 km south) stunning YarraValley views to Melbourne. Maroondah Reservoir Park (3 km n-e) beautiful bushland and forest trails, camping facilities, picnic areas & nearby Selover’s Lookout. Open 8.30am-sunset. Donnellys Weir Park (4 km north) a number of forest walking trails and is the National Walking & Horseriding Trail (5 000 km) starting point which ends in Cooktown, Qld. Mt St Leonard (12 km north) The summit stands at 1 028 m, has a fire tower and excellent valley views. Fernshaw Park (11 km n-e) sits at the foot of Black Spur and features pretty forest walking trails and picnic areas. Open daily. Corranderrk Aboriginal Cemetery (3 km south) former Aboriginal mission burial ground. Wineries There are about 30 in the area offering tastings and sales.

Accommodation:
Healesville has 4 motels, 3 hotels, 5 B&Bs, holiday apartments/cottages and two caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Old Courthouse, Harker St. Tel (03) 5962 2600