This past weekend we took a day trip to the Dandenongs.  This is a low mountain range about one hours drive to the east of Melbourne.  Quite a difference from the city.  The southern end of the range is a temperate rain forest composed of fern gully and tall mountain ash trees.  The area is lush dense and green.  An amazing contrast to the mostly flat brown and dry landscape of Melbourne.  The mountains in the Dandenongs were volcanic at one time leaving rich soil.  As a result the area is full of farms growing all sorts of fruit, flowers, veg and vineyards.  There is a massive tulip farm there as well - it is a shame that we won't be here when they have the tulip festival (September - October)  and everything is in bloom - the pictures are unbelievable.  At the northern end of the Dandenongs is the Yarra Valley  with the wineries, shops and wildlife.

We took a short ride on a restored, narrow gauge steam engine train through Sherbrook Forest, had lunch at a winery and spent the afternoon at Healsburg Wildlife Sanctuary where we got to see all the Australian Wildlife we have been looking for.

 Feeding wild Cockatoos - we have the scars on our arms to prove it!

                                                                                 

 You are encouraged to rid the train with your feet hanging out

 



 



 

There is a campaign to use recycled toilet paper to save trees - habitat for birds

Black Cockatoo

 

Tasmanian Devil