A Tour with a Difference
Bridget takes A Tour with a Difference with a family owned and operated Melbourne based day tour company. Owners Brian and Grace offer a whole new travel experience with 10-passenger convertible buses. With local knowledge of the area and some of its best kept secrets, they take you to some of their favourite places and give you a day you will remember. On Bridget's tour she stops off at William Ricketts Sanctuary, Grants Picnic Area and much more.

Ph 1300 36 27 36
www.atwad.com.au

William Ricketts Sanctuary
Bridget discovers that William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity. Its charm lies in the natural bush setting and the many detailed sculptures that blend into the rocks and trees along pathways.

In the 1930s, William Ricketts bought a four-acre bush block on Mount Dandenong and named it Potter's Sanctuary. Word soon spread among the community about the extraordinary sculptures that began to adorn the property. William Ricketts lived at the sanctuary until he was in his nineties and continued to create his sculptures until he died in 1993 aged 94. The William Ricketts Sanctuary contains 92 ceramic sculptures of people and animals which merge with the natural surroundings.

Tourist Road, Mount Dandenong
Ph 03 9751 1300
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Grants Picnic Area
Bridget stops at Grants Picnic Area to enjoy some true Australian tucker. The picnic area is located in the Dandenong Ranges National Park which covers 3,215 hectares and plays an important role in protecting a population of lyrebirds and other fauna, as well as protecting the forests and fern gullies of the ranges. It is the perfect spot to stop off and enjoy a picnic.

Monbulk Road, Dandenong Ranges National Park
Mel Ref: 75 K4
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Vintage Fun Hire Cars
Lawrence takes a tour around the Dandenongs with Vintage Fun Hire Cars. With a choice of eight vehicles suitable for all occasions from large formal weddings to intimate romantic picnics, there is a vehicle to suit everyone's needs. All cars are fully licensed by the Victorian Taxi Directorate and are chauffeur driven allowing the client a relaxing and pleasurable day out.

651A Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully
Ph 03 9752 3366
www.vintagefun.com.au

The National Rhododendron Gardens
On Lawrence's tour he stops at The National Rhododendron Gardens, host to an unparalleled variety of brilliantly coloured blooms including rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and daffodils. The gardens attract about 60,000 visitors a year. The Australian Rhododendron Society started the gardens back in the sixties and it's a band of passionate volunteers that still do a lot of the work along with Parks Victoria.

The Georgian Road, Olinda
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

The Motorist Vintage Motoring Museum
Originally a service station that was destroyed by fire in the fifties, the motoring museum features a range of restored vintage cars. The vehicles are shown in various stages of restoration with a restored vintage stretch–limousine at the centre of the exhibition. Also on display are reference books and a magazine library.

77 Main Street, Gembrook
Ph 03 9752 3366

The Australian Rainbow Trout Farm
Lawrence doesn't really fancy himself as much of a fisherman, but at The Australian Rainbow Trout Farm, anyone can be come a pro in a day. With over 200,000 salmon and trout across a range of ponds and lakes, the whole family is sure to catch their very own dinner. The Australian Trout Farm will clean your catch, and barbecues are available so you can have the freshest fish you've ever eaten.

26 Mulhalls Road, Macclesfield
Ph 03 5968 4711
www.fishfarm.com.au

Puffing Billy Dinner Special
Bridget takes a ride on the famous Puffing Billy Railway that has been one of Melbourne's most loved attractions since it began operation in 1900. Offering a memorable dinning experience and tour of the region, the Dinner Special departs every Friday and Saturday night. Dine in the fully enclosed carriages, enjoying drinks, a three course meal and live entertainment at a secret location. So if you're looking to kick up your heels make sure you take your friends and family out for a dinner they will never forget.

Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave
Ph 03 9754 6800
www.puffingbilly.com.au

The Cuckoo Restaurant
Lawrence celebrates Christmas in July at The Cuckoo Restaurant in Olinda. The smorgasbord includes soup, seafood entrees, hot and cold meals including traditional roasts, continental cakes and pastries all prepared by a team of highly qualified chefs. While enjoying your delicious meal sit back and enjoy the live entertainment – a Bavarian Floor Show including yodelling and the Slap Dance.

508 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda
Ph 03 9751 1003
www.cuckoorestaurant.com.au

Miss Marple's Tea Rooms
Lauren finds out why Miss Marple's Tea Rooms is known for its Devonshire Tea. The café pays homage to one of literature's super sleuths and serves up a delicious mountain of clotted cream and piping hot scones. Bookings are not available.

Miss Marple's is open seven days a week from 11am to 4.30pm.

382 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras
Ph 03 9755 1610
www.missmarples.com.au

Tea Leaves
Founded in 1994, Tea Leaves is one of Australia's leading importers and wholesalers of specialty teas, offering more than 300 varieties of tea, fresh from China, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Africa, Indonesia and Australia. The tea is then blended and packaged in Sassafras, creating a blizzard of tastes, heavenly aromas and flavours for every occasion. Try every tea type imaginable – white, green, black, oolong, organic, decaffeinated, compressed, flavoured teas and fruit blends from Germany, gourmet, classical, specialty and herbal blends.

380 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras
Ph 03 9755 2222
www.tealeaves.com.au

Geppetto's Workshop
Lauren's inner child comes out to play at Geppetto's Workshop, a world full of adventure, fun and fantasy. The workshop is a home for toys and puppets crafted with care. With so many hand made toys, from pedal cars to masquerade masks and even puppet theatres, a visit is sure to bring out everyone's inner child.

371 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras
Ph 03 9755 3300
www.geppettosworkshop.com.au

What's on

Hidden Faces of the Archibald
The exhibition combines the work of established and emerging artists, showing a range of portraits that capture some great Australian characters.
Where: Crown Towers Lobby
When: Until 30 July 2006

Melbourne Art Fair
Melbourne Art Fair 2006 is the premier fair and public exposition of contemporary visual art in the Asia Pacific region.
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
When: 2–6 August 2006
More: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

Melbourne International Film Festival
MIFF screens over 300 films from Australia and around the world, comprised of feature films, documentaries, and short films.
Where: Various venues
When: Until 13 August 2006
More: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au