Like many Kiwi's the open spaces are important to me and after a few days in the city of Melbourne I just needed a short break in the country to recharge the batteries for the remainder of the Melbourne holiday.
There are many day or partial day tours and I decided on an almost full day bus trip from the city that took in the infamous steam train ride in the Dandenong area with an absolutley brilliant commentary all of the way.
Leaving downtown Melbourne we travelled through the Western suburbs and out into the country to Belgrave where we joined the 'Puffing Billy' Steam train. Travelling through beautiful country at a slow pace we covered the 6kms and pulled in at Menzies Creek. The train goes on for another 18kms but our tour had much more to offer so it was again back on the bus.
We headed off north into the Dandenong ranges and viewed some terrific scenary before coming to what I believe is an absolute jewel of a little village and possibly the highlight of the tour for me.
The village of Sassafras is nearby to Mt Dandennong and after viewing lovely scenary since leaving the steam train and then to burst into this quaint little village, was refreshing.
Sassafras has many boutigue type shops and is a haven for anyone interested in crafts. You must take the time to visit the 'Tea Shop'. It is a cross between a museum and retail shop and it has hundreds of tea pots for sale - all sizes, shapes, construction material and prices - plus there is then the opportunity to purchase one or more of the many tea's that they have to offer. A terrific little shop that you could spend an hour in easily.
Down the short main street is a wooden toy shop called, of course, 'Geppetto's Workshop'. What a wonderland and if you had children with you when visting expect to stay a while!
Regretfully my stay in Sassafras was all too short, it was then back on the bus for the trip back to downtown Melbourne.
This was a terrifc day viewing the back country of Melbourne with the extra benefits of the steam train ride and a visit to the wonderful Sassafras.
I strongly recommend this day trip and if you have the time, take a trip out to Sassafras for a few hours of leisurely retail therapy in a unique setting.
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