Marysville

Marysville is a small town set among the forested hills and tall mountain ash of the Yarra Ranges in central Victoria, about 1.5 to 2 hours northeast of Melbourne. Long a favourite weekend getaway for its waterfalls, cool-climate gardens and surrounding bushland, it is the gateway to the Lake Mountain alpine resort and a popular base for walking, cycling and nature touring.

Marysville was almost entirely destroyed in the Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009, with great loss of life, and has since been rebuilt — a fact that gives the town a particular poignancy and a strong sense of community renewal. Today it again welcomes visitors with new accommodation, cafés and galleries amid the regrown forest.

The climate is cool and mountain-fresh; autumn is spectacular for foliage in the town's exotic trees, winter brings snow to nearby Lake Mountain, and spring and summer are mild and green. The town is compact and walkable, with the surrounding attractions a short drive away.

By Car / Road

Marysville is reached by car from Melbourne via the Maroondah Highway through the Yarra Valley and over the Black Spur — a famously scenic, winding forest drive through towering mountain ash — about 1.5 to 2 hours. The Black Spur road is narrow and twisting, so drive carefully. There is limited public transport, so a car is the practical way in.

The town centre is small and easily walked. A car is needed to reach Steavenson Falls, Lake Mountain and the surrounding forest walks and lookouts.

• Steavenson Falls — One of Victoria's tallest and most accessible waterfalls, a short drive and walk from town, floodlit in the evenings.

• Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden — A whimsical garden dotted with terracotta sculptures, a long-loved local attraction. (Confirm current opening hours.)

• The Black Spur — The dramatic forest drive between Healesville and Marysville through giant mountain ash and tree ferns.

• Gallipoli Park and town gardens — Pleasant central parkland; the town's exotic trees are spectacular in autumn.

• Lake Mountain — Australia's premier cross-country (Nordic) skiing area in winter, and a network of walking and mountain-bike trails in summer, a short drive up from town.

• Waterfall and forest walks — Trails to Steavenson Falls, Keppel Lookout and through the surrounding Yarra Ranges forest.

• Cycling — Quiet roads and forest trails, plus the scenic ride toward Buxton and the Acheron Valley.

• Wildlife and nature touring — The regrown forests are rich in birdlife; nearby Healesville Sanctuary showcases Australian native animals.

Marysville has a small but appealing selection of cafés, a bakery and restaurants serving visitors and the surrounding district.

The town's pub/hotel and cafés cover the local scene, and the nearby Yarra Valley is one of Australia's foremost cool-climate wine regions, with many cellar doors within a short drive. Tap water is safe to drink.

• Budget: A caravan park and budget cabins offer the cheapest beds. (Confirm names and rates.)
• Mid-range: Motels, cottages and B&Bs (much of it newly built since 2009) fill the mid-tier. (Confirm names and rates.)
• Upscale / heritage: Boutique lodges and retreats operate in and around town. (Confirm names and rates.)

The town centre has a cluster of cafés, galleries and gift shops, plus a general store and produce outlets. Local art, crafts and regional produce are good buys.

• Lake Mountain (~20 km, ~30 min) — Cross-country skiing in winter, trails in summer.
• Healesville (~35 km, ~40 min) — Yarra Valley town and home of Healesville Sanctuary.
• Yarra Valley wineries (~45 min) — Cool-climate cellar doors around Healesville and Yarra Glen.
• Buxton and the Acheron Valley (~15 km) — Pretty rural country north of town.
• Eildon (~1 hr) — Lake Eildon for boating and houseboats.