Nature in action

Once an organiser has decided to convene in the Dandenongs and North-East region, the choice of activities could prove overwhelming.

Taking in such spectacular regions as the Yarra Valley, Dandenongs and Yarra Ranges, this region provides some unexpected pleasures for conference groups. Accessed by road via the Eastern Freeway out of Melbourne, the area has very distinct characters depending on the season. In winter, the crisp country air is conducive to convening around an open fire, taking in some great cuisine with fresh local ingredients and a remarkable regional wine, then retiring for a good night’s sleep to an historic country house, 5 star resort or conference centre.

One factor in the popularity of the Yarra Valley is its position as one of the pre-eminent wine regions in Australia. The first grapes were planted in 1838 and today there are more than 55 wineries. The region’s pinot noir and sparkling wines are particularly celebrated, although chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and shiraz gain significant attention as well.

The region can be a place of quiet reflection, or appeal to a range of diverse interests. Steam-train buffs will delight in Puffing Billy, the oldest surviving steam train in the country. For 25 kilometres, the journey winds through rainforest and hidden gullies.

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Considerable choice
The magnificent William Ricketts Sanctuary, also in the Dandenongs, was created from a four-acre block of wilderness in the 1930s. Ricketts mystical terracotta sculptures of the Aboriginal people emerge from the rainforest with a startlingly life-like quality.

For gardeners, there are such attractions as the National Rhododendron Gardens near Olinda, which has more than 15,000 plants. Healesville lies 65 kilometres outside Melbourne in the foothills of the Yarra Ranges, and is principally known as the location for the acclaimed Healesville Sanctuary. There are more than 200 species of Australian wildlife over 30 hectares, including platypus, koalas and wombats.