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Where Should You Go Visiting Around Melbourne?

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    After looking into a wide variety of playgrounds and activities in the Melbourne and Geelong areas, we settled on the following as the best. Read the aforementioned passages to get more information about the locations of interest. There is something special about each of these places that makes a trip there worthwhile.

    Bollygum Adventure Playground, Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd, Kinglake

    Bollygum Adventure Playground, Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd, Kinglake

    The Bollygum Adventure Playground can be found along the Whittlesea-Kinglake Road in Kinglake.

    This fantastical playground takes its cue from Garry Fleming's novel, "Bollygum," and features a similar theme. Everyone, from kids to their parents, will appreciate the high quality of construction found in this Play Space.

    Wander down the shaded paths and along the dry watercourse to learn about all the fascinating attractions. Make sure the screeching from the music cylinder next to Platypus's house doesn't startle him.

    Intricately carved murals adorn the walls of Wombat's House, which can be found at the end of the shaded path past the log bridges and the massive log seat. 

    Using the provided fishing poles and reels, you are free to spend some time relaxing by the creek's dry waters. 

    Five swings are available, two of which are bird's nest swings and one of which has a seat.

    There are plenty of shady chairs, including some made from logs, as well as tables in the sun, a water fountain, restrooms, and a barbeque. An insignificant area of grass, unfit for sports like baseball. Very close to a great skate park. Visiting this park is an adventure that will stay with you forever.

    The William Ricketts Sanctuary is located close to the peak of Mount Dandenong, and it features 92 ceramic sculptures spread out over four acres of beautiful fern gully land.

    The mystical sculptures half-hidden among the ferns along the pathways at the William Ricketts Sanctuary create an atmosphere of beauty and tranquilly. The safe haven is located in the Dandenong Mountains, in a shady ferny glade. Those who visit here can take some time to think deeply about the park's namesake designer, William Ricketts, and his guiding principles. Many visitors make extraordinary efforts to come back to this place on multiple occasions.

    Things to Do

    Clay figurines of Aboriginal people, baked in a kiln to preserve their likeness, are subtly interspersed with rocks, ferns, and mountain ash. These works of art are an embodiment of Rickett's belief that everyone should take responsibility for protecting the natural world, just as the indigenous Australians do. As an artist, Rickett is heavily influenced by Aboriginal Australian culture.

    As you wander through the gardens, keep an eye out for the 92 ceramic sculptures of people and animals that have been set into the landscape. The audiovisual presentation of artist William Ricketts allows viewers to experience firsthand the inspiration and dedication with which he creates his works.

    Heritage

    Potter's Sanctuary was the name William Rickets gave to the four-acre bush block he bought on Mount Dandenong in the 1930s. Eventually, he did sell it. A lot of people started talking about the extraordinary sculptures that had started to decorate the property. Soon enough, the Victorian government learned of his efforts, and in the early 1960s, they bought the land and the adjacent blocks for public use. William Ricketts, a resident of the Sanctuary until his very late nineties, kept right on sculpting. Unfortunately, he left this world in 1993.

    The youngsters enjoyed themselves tremendously as they scoured the Sanctuary for the hidden sculptures. The paths are distinct and can be reached via numerous branching off points. The abundance of Mountain Ash trees and undergrowth along the trails provides welcome shade and cooling breezes on hot days.

    More than that, there are a few shaded benches and restrooms dotted around the area. Close to the entrance is a cafe, but remember that you can't bring in any outside refreshments. You should use extreme caution crossing the road on the path that leads from the parking lot to the entrance.

    Tim Neville Arboretum, Dorset Road, Ferntree Gully Melbourne

    Tim Neville Arboretum, Dorset Road, Ferntree Gully

    A fully enclosed adventure playground that is fun to visit at any time of day or night thanks to its castle-themed area complete with stocks (especially for terrible parents who won't take their children to great playgrounds) and a rock from which you attempt to remove Excalibur's sword. Cushioned ground in play areas and concrete walkways round out the area. Also, it has a lot of cool extras.

    Two long zip lines with ski-lift-style disc seats, a climbing Loch Ness monster that writhes in and out of the ground, three small metal slides on the side of a small hill, four swings (one with a large plastic seat), an interesting carousel with seating and standing room, a birds' nest swing, a hammock, a large rope pyramid climbing frame, a distorting mirror, a plethora of stepping stones, and a s

    It is possible to walk from one end of the playground to the other along a trail made up of alphabet signs and sign language. There is a wide selection of seating, including some that is covered. Not too far from the fenced area are a pond with an elevated walkway and ducks, restrooms, barbeque grills, tables with no overhead shade, grassy areas, and a playground.

    Werribee Gorge (Ingliston) Melbourne

    Werribee Gorge (Ingliston)

    Is rock climbing something you might be interested in doing? To get a bird's eye view of the rock climbing action without getting your hands dirty, head to the Falcons Lookout in Werribee Gorge, not far from Ingliston. It's likely that you'll find some fearless rock climbers scaling the cliffs there. If you'd rather not go to the pub, you can go bouldering at the Burnley Bouldering Wall. Three different, covered climbing walls of increasing difficulty are available.

    Go for a Walk

    Ten Kilometer Circuit Hike Time: Four and a Half Hours Difficulty: Medium

    Circuit Walk - 10km - 4.5 hrs Grade - Medium - Hard

    To complete the loop, set out from the Quarry or Meikles Point Picnic Area and return along the same route you came. The track along the river has some challenging uphill and downhill sections, as well as some rock scrambling. The scenery, however, is breathtaking along the gorge's edge. The path that runs alongside the river may become impassable after prolonged or heavy rain.

    River Walk - 3km return - 1.2 hrs return Grade - Medium

    Beautiful scenery that goes well beyond the gorge. From the Ballan-Ingliston Road, hikers can enter the park via the scenic Ironbark Gorge. For a thrilling and worthwhile climbing adventure, head to Falcons Lookout. This particular spot in the park is currently the only one where such activities are permitted.

    Falcons Lookout - 3km return - 2 hr return Grade - Medium

    Panoramic views of the gorge and beyond. Walk-in from the Ballan-Ingliston Road through the picturesque Ironbark Gorge. Falcons Lookout offers a fantastic rock climbing experience. It is currently the only area in the park available for rock climbing.

    Centenary Walk - 4km return - 2.5 hrs return Grade - Medium - Hard

    You can reach the bridge over Myrniong Creek by starting at the Quarry Picnic Area and following the Circuit Track until it branches off to the left. After making your way across the creek, you'll find yourself facing a steep climb up James Whyte Island Reserve, where you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Werribee Gorge and its environs.

    Have a Picnic

    Meikles Point and the Quarry Picnic Areas are great places to have a picnic with loved ones. There are fireplaces, picnic tables, and bathrooms for your convenience

    How to get there

    From Bacchus Marsh, you can travel to the Werribee Gorge State Park by taking the Western Freeway, Pentland Hills Road, and finally Myers Road; the total distance is about 8 kilometres (steep in places). It's also possible to get there via Bacchus Marsh-Balliang Road and Ironbark Road (Ballan-Ingliston Road).

    It takes about an hour to walk to the Falcons Lookout rock climbing wall, which is perched on a cliff and looks down into a gorge below. Sometimes more time is needed when dealing with younger children. The trail begins with a relatively steep descent, continues through some valleys, and then climbs. The descent and the valleys are both places where the trail is known to be slippery.

    Eltham North Reserve Playground Melbourne

    Eltham North Reserve Playground, Wattletree Road, Eltham North

    A section of scree must be crossed in order to get to the climbing area, which is located nearby. The trail is well-marked and simple to follow throughout its entirety. If it hasn't rained in a while, you can count on seeing rock climbers at the cliff.

    To reach the playground at Eltham North Reserve from Wattletree Road, follow signs there.

    Despite the fact that the playground was completely destroyed by fire in December of 2017, it has since been rebuilt and is now even more enjoyable than before. The large covered structure that was the highlight of the old playground was saved and installed in the new one.

    There's a way up, but it involves walking across a rope nett and a shaky bridge. Do you think you could spot the barn's creepy crawlies if they were high up on the ceiling or walls

    There are two types of flying foxes—one with a disc seat and the other with a harness—as well as drums, a Liberty swing (for wheelchairs), regular swings, a birds nest swing, a spinning doughnut swing, a hammock, a swing with a harness, a dry creek bed that can be crossed by a bridge or a log that has fallen across the creek (depending on how daring you are), and a log that has been thrown across

    There is a row of shelters with tables and barbeque grills, as well as restrooms and water fountains. There are also a few small grassy areas where parents can congregate and have conversations. The Magical Park augmented reality game uses the fenced oval next door as its location.

    Dandenong Ranges Melbourne

    Mount Donna Buang (Warburton)

    In the summer, you can avoid the crowds, avoid paying any entrance fees, and choose from a plethora of trails at your favourite mountain destinations. Mount Donna Buang, not far from Warburton, is home to a 21-meter tower that looks out over the nearby park and beyond.

    Less than twenty minutes of driving time separate you from Mount Donna Buang from Warburton. The snowfield closest to Melbourne reaches a height of 1,245 metres and is the tallest in the region. The peak has a 21-meter lookout tower, a barbeque area, a walking trail, and a toboggan run.

    There is a 21-meter-tall lookout tower at the peak of the hill, from which visitors can see far beyond the park's borders. Many people use it as a starting point for hikes up the mountain, and others go there for picnics.

    The peak is converted into a snow play area with three toboggan runs in the winter. The summit gate will have toboggan rentals and warm refreshments for sale when the snow begins to fall.

    The Donna Buang lookout tower is quite lofty, making it an unappealing destination for kids. Making sure it is a sunny day with no clouds or fog will allow you to see the most from the peak of the mountain. Ten kilometres before you reach the summit, you can stop by the Rainforest Gallery Skywalk. Many trails radiate outward from the summit.

    Olinda-Monbulk Road

    Olinda Play Space, Olinda-Monbulk Road, Olinda

    A fantastic regional playground surrounded by trees and expansive grassy areas, with lovely views across to Silvan Reservoir.

    In the centre of the playground, there is a large shelter with four tables built into the side of a hill. There is a fantastic view of the entire playground from this spot. The extensive play area features a sizable sandbox, paths that surround it, and a number of different areas with a colourful, cushioned base, making it easy to simulate what it must have been like for Neil Armstrong to walk on the moon.

    Two separate water play areas, each with its own water pump, and a balancing beam are included in the enormous sandbox. At the end of the dry creek bed that leads to the bridge is a frog of monstrous proportions. Check under the bridge for some unexpected iridescent inhabitants. A giant gecko, in the same vein as other humongous animals, lounges lazily next to the sandbox. If the gecko mistakes one of your kids for a fly, you might have to go home with one less kid.

    Amazing woodwork depicting local flora and fauna and other works of art can be found in every corner. One of our favourites was the wombat because of its cute little face. You'll find a variety of tables and benches at the playground, some of which are covered by umbrellas. Parking can get muddy, but there are restrooms and a shelter with barbecues nearby to keep you from having to walk too far. But there are no tables in the refuge.

    Conclusion

    It is from Garry Fleming's book that the Bollygum Adventure Playground draws its inspiration. Near the top of Mount Dandenong is where you'll find the William Ricketts Sanctuary. Over four scenic acres of fern gully, there are ninety-two ceramic sculptures on display. William Rickets bought a four-acre bush block on Mount Dandenong in the 1930s and named it HeritagePotter's Sanctuary. It was due to his efforts that the Victorian government, in the early 1960s, acquired the land and the surrounding blocks for public use.

    Check out the bouldering walls in Burnley and the Werribee Gorge. There are steep ascents and descents, as well as some rock scrambling, along the River Walk. From the aqueduct to the cliffs, the view at the edge of the gorge is spectacular. About 2.5 hours are required to complete the 4-kilometer Centenary Walk in both directions. Hikers entering the park from the Ballan-Ingliston Road will find the Ironbark Gorge to be a particularly beautiful route in.

    Go to Falcons Lookout for a thrilling and rewarding climbing experience. The lookout tower on Mount Donna Buang is 21 metres high and is located near Warburton. The peak is transformed into a winter playground complete with three toboggan runs. The adjacent fenced oval is the setting for the augmented reality game Magical Park. The park features large grassy areas and trees, and it looks out over the Silvan Reservoir, making it a popular destination for families in the area.

    Includes a big sandbox, some paths, and a water feature. Incredible works of art, including intricate woodwork depicting local flora and fauna, can be found at every turn.

    Content Summary

    • We researched numerous parks and attractions in the Melbourne and Geelong areas, and these were our top picks.
    • Off the Whittlesea-Kinglake Road in Kinglake is where you'll find the Bollygum Adventure Playground.
    • 92 ceramic sculptures can be found throughout the William Ricketts Sanctuary's four acres of beautiful fern gully land, which is situated near the peak of Mount Dandenong.
    • The Dandenong Mountains provide the setting for the safe haven, which is situated in a shady ferny glade.
    • Rickett draws a lot of inspiration for his artwork from Aboriginal Australian traditions.
    • Keep your eyes peeled for the ninety-two ceramic sculptures of humans and other animals that dot the gardens as you explore them.
    • Heritage
    • In the 1930s, William Rickets purchased a four-acre bush block on Mount Dandenong, which he named Potter's Sanctuary.
    • Australia's Ferntree Gully; Dorset Road; Tim Neville Arboretum
    • Featuring a castle-themed area complete with stocks (especially for terrible parents who won't take their children to great playgrounds) and a rock from which you attempt to remove Excalibur's sword, this fully enclosed adventure playground is fun to visit at any time of day or night.
    • Visit the Falcons Lookout in Werribee Gorge, not far from Ingliston, to observe the rock climbing action from above without getting your hands dirty.
    • Walking the length of the River Walk takes about 1.2 hours and is 3 kilometres.
    • Begin at the Meikles Point Picnic Area and follow the old aqueduct upstream until you reach the point where you must climb around the base of a cliff.
    • Go to Falcons Lookout for a thrilling and rewarding climbing experience.
    • The Centenary Walk is a circular 4 km path that can be completed in about 2.5 hours.
    • You can also take Bacchus Marsh-Balliang Road and Ironbark Road to get there (Ballan-Ingliston Road).
    • The Falcons Lookout rock climbing wall is located on a cliff with a view of a gorge below and is about an hour's walk from the parking area.
    • Located on Mount Donna Buang near Warburton, this 21-meter tower provides breathtaking views of the neighbourhood park and beyond.
    • Closest to Melbourne is a snowfield that rises a whopping 1,245 metres into the air and is thus the tallest in the area.
    • The summit features a toboggan run, a walking trail, a barbeque area, and a lookout tower that is 21 metres in height.
    • A wonderful green space for locals to hang out, with beautiful views of Silvan Reservoir across the way.
    • It's simple to imagine what it was like for Neil Armstrong to set foot on the moon thanks to the extensive play area, which includes a large sandbox, paths that surround it, and a number of areas with a colourful, cushioned base.
    • Like other large animals, a giant gecko is lounging lazily next to the playground's sandbox.
    • Umbrellas provide shade for some of the playground's benches and tables.

    FAQs About Melbourne

     
    Best Neighborhoods in Melbourne for Tourists
    1. City Center. ...
    2. Docklands. ...
    3. Southbank. ...
    4. South Melbourne and Albert Park. ...
    5. South Yarra. ...
    6. St Kilda. ...
    7. East Melbourne.
    Facts about Melbourne:
    • Melbourne's famous tramway system is the largest outside Europe and the fourth largest in the world. ...
    • The world's first feature film, the Story of the Ned Kelly Gang was filmed and made in Melbourne in 1906.
    • Melbourne had the first gay and lesbian radio station in the world.
     
    Melbourne is known for being one of the most liveable cities on earth. Often referred to as 'the Sporting Capital of the World', besides this it is also famous for its graffitied laneways, excellent coffee, cultural diversity and bayside location. This eclectic Australian city has something for everyone.

    It's never been a better time to make the move to Melbourne. Mercer's 2021 Cost of Living Survey ranked Melbourne number 59 in the world in their list of most expensive cities – demonstrating that Melbourne is a more affordable destination than many other global cities.

    East Melbourne ranks highly in most liveability factors, making it one of the best suburbs to live in Melbourne.

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