Wonderful experience. Kids love it and got a nearby playground for the kids to spend time after the train ride. Even when the queue is long, ul be able to get into the train ride within 10 min. Worth the $5 tickets. Run by volunteers and the trains, tracks and the entire place has been maintained well

What a fantastic day out at the miniature trains! The volunteers were so friendly and welcoming, and even though it was busy the line moved really quickly. I was surprised at how much space there is in the carriages. I had my 2 month old in a baby carrier and my husband had our 17 month old sitting in front and we were both really comfortable. The track itself is great with little crossings and even a tunnel which made it so much fun for both the kids and us adults. The whole setup around the station makes it even better. There were food trucks and the park next door is fully fenced which is a big relief with toddlers. It has BBQs, accessible play equipment and plenty to do. I also loved the thoughtful touches like the sign language signs around the park. Such a great family friendly experience, highly recommend!

Super cute activity for both kids and adults! The miniature train track is much larger and more impressive than I expected. We arrived slightly after 3 pm and ended up waiting nearly 40 minutes, just unlucky timing, but the ride was absolutely worth it. The whole setup feels surprisingly “serious” and realistic, not toy-like at all. The track is long, the trains are well-maintained, and the 10-minute ride is genuinely fun as it winds through trees, small bridges, and open areas. When we got off, the queue had already shortened, so you could easily go for multiple rounds if you have the time. A charming and memorable experience overall!

🚂 cute and fun place to visit~ Perfect for small kids and big kids! Affordable prices of $5 👌 There was a long line, but it moves very fast as there are multiple trains running each time. Got to go through tunnels and across the stations they made just like a real train. 🤩 Definitely go for the experience!

We enjoyed a lot. It's looks like you train only for kids but in my experience, even adults will enjoy. It's like good things comes in small packages 🚂🚂

Reviews for my SEAsters. I took a train from southern cross station to Eltham (hurstbridge line?) about an hour journey. Got out from the station and waited for the bus to go to eltham lower park. I was with my son n it was extra cold so its impossible to walk. Google said we could walk but its just a bit far IMO. The bus will stop exactly at the lower park so i walk inside n saw the ticketing booth. It was 5aud per ride per person when i went there. Amazing area n so many trains, more trains in the shed. There were few foodtrucks nearby and a park ofcourse but i didnt go. The train ride opens every sunday 11am -5pm and some wednesdays i think but you can check on their website too for any info.

Amazing place For kids birthday parties get in early .Then ride the mini rails xxx

Edendale Community Environment Farm is the perfect place for a relaxing, educational family outing in Eltham. Entry is free (donations welcome), so it’s super accessible, and kids absolutely love feeding the chickens and meeting friendly farm animals like alpacas, goats, chicken and sheeps. The gardens are delightful with a spiral garden, shaded sandpit, and quirky recycled-art features that are great for little explorers. Cafe Eden is lovely for a snack or coffee with a view, and the lawns make a great spot for a picnic too. There’s ample parking onsite, and if that’s full, you can easily park at the nearby playground and walk across via the bridge. Recommend for a fun, green, and budget-friendly family day out.

Visiting Edendale community environmental centre was lovely and educational. It’s a great setup and family friendly. There were quite a few school groups having an educational introduction in worm farming and composting. I wandered randomly seeing the chooks, goats, Guinea pigs, sheep and alpacas and admired the garden art features. I finished at the gift shop with so many nice things and bought a bag of organic apples. The cafe offers great and affordable drinks and foods, so I enjoyed my egg & chutney toasty before heading home. Thank you! 💖🌸

Since I found this farm, I often go visit this place with my kids. This farm is run by donation only and you simply do the donation as needed by tapping your card. Everything was so easy and peaceful. This is not one of the big farms but it has all the animals you expect to see in a farm. We loved seeing little lambs jumping around and we had a chance to feed animals there. Really cute to see little chickens in the enclose and they are very gentle with kids. My kids always have fun feeding and touching animals - easy couple hours of fun for kids! I personally did not like the cafe as the quality of coffee was bad and the staff working there were extremely slow and not very friendly. Probably everything in this cafe was over-priced for its size and quality. From my perspective, not good beans nor well-trained barista. As long as I got my coffee and snack from somewhere else, this farm is the easiest place to go! A lot of people just have a picnic! Free parking but it can get busy sometimes.

Amazing place to take the kids. Also ideal for a picnic as you get the nice shade of the big trees. There is a cafe and plenty of parking. You can also feed some animals, so it’s worth the visit. No entry fee, but you can make a donation. There is a small nursery where you can buy some beautiful plants.

Very nice little farm，would be nicer if there is somewhere can have the milk or coffee from the farm.

Great place for all ages especially toddlers and above. Coffee was good at the little cafe. Limited menu for food.

I really enjoyed my time there. This farm is very well maintained, beautiful and free. A donation is only just $3 (pls don’t forget to donate) and chicken food for $2. Great experience for kids just with an affordable budget. Parking can be difficult when there’s a birthday party going on. A playground next to the farm is also a must visit!

The best is the view on the other side of the reservoir. Good picnic area. Chill place

This place is amazing. If you wanna listen the voice of nature. You have to come here at weekdays. Enjoy the mother nature！

Really long walk, have to bring your own water and food, following the orange mark all the time. Drinks can be bought at sailing club.

We went to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery in the morning, and spent the afternoon in the park (20 minutes drive from Chocolate factory). We were very happy with this place, nice view, clean environment, good for walk, relaxing, and BBQ. We were lucky enough to met a kangaroo family of 3 hopping around in the park. Swimming is not allowed (the water here is part of Melbourne's drinking water supply), but finishing is permitted.

Just you and God

Excellent location for a walk or picnic with friends, plenty of parking with beautiful scenery and occasional kangaroo hopping by

Pretty walk, lots of kangaroos. Nice picnic spots.

Eltham Lower Park is such a beautiful and family-friendly spot. The park has plenty of open space, lovely walking tracks, and picnic areas perfect for a relaxing day out. The playground is fantastic for kids, and the miniature railway is always a favourite, such a fun and unique experience. It’s well maintained, peaceful, and surrounded by nature, making it a great place to unwind or spend time with family and friends. A real gem in Eltham!

Eltham Lower Park is a large park with great facilities and scenic natural bushland. Three different sites are available for picnics; the western end (within the rail loop) has tables and shelter. The northen playground has great equipment, shelters tables, toilets and BBQs. The southern site is quietest and has basic play equipment, toilets, tables, shade cloth and BBQs. The bike/walking track provides access along the creek and into Eltham. Highlight is of course the marvellous Diamond Valley Railway.

First time for myself, huge area, clean safe open area for everyone an pet dogs have just as much open space, toilets were clean working order. Excellent

Visited specifically to see the Diamond Valley Railway. Eltham Lower Park is a beautiful setting for this very popular attraction. Oval, picnic area, walking trails. Was good to see the enormous amount of new planting that had been carried out. Great place to have a walk and take in the fresh air.

Nifty little playground area, but is like the poor cousin of the larger playground on the other side of the oval. Still, two BBQ areas, a small flying fox, swings, some climbing structures and lots of space in which to run around. Heaps of car parking.

Eltham Lower Park in Eltham offers a fantastic family-friendly environment. The park's serene ambiance, well-maintained green spaces, and various recreational facilities make it an ideal spot for families. One notable highlight is the miniature railway, providing an additional layer of enjoyment for both children and adults. The park's overall atmosphere, coupled with the charming miniature railway, creates a delightful experience for family outings.

We had a birthday party here yesterday and it was fabulous. Enough tables for everybody and a barbecue. An undercover gazebo with more tables and chairs. An hours worth of train rides and very friendly conductors and drivers. A lovely four hours spent in comfortable surroundings.

Rare Bears in Eltham is a fun indoor play centre, offering endless entertainment for kids, especially on rainy days. The four-storey play structure is impressive and provides plenty of entertainment for older children, while the dedicated area for under 3s is a thoughtful addition for toddlers. We visited on a weekend around 11am, and the atmosphere was lively without being overwhelming. The pricing is reasonable, with free entry for parents and carers, which is a plus. They also offer party packages, making it a potential venue for children's celebrations. The on-site kiosk café is convenient for grabbing snacks and drinks while supervising the kids. However, the cleanliness of the play areas is a significant concern. During our visit, many areas appeared neglected and in need of a thorough cleaning. This issue was echoed in several other reviews, suggesting it's an ongoing problem rather than a one-off occurrence. The play equipment, while in need of cleaning, offers a variety of activities to keep children engaged. In summary, Rare Bears is a fun play centre, but the cleanliness issues are a major drawback. If they could address this concern, it would greatly improve the overall experience. As it stands, it's a decent option for indoor play, especially in bad weather, but there's definitely room for improvement!

In serious need of some TLC. The under 3 area was dirty and in some areas has no soft padding. A slide was placed on thin carpet. There is a lots of dust everywhere. The bounce castle was out of order. There are empty play spaces. Exposed metal beams in the climbing area. Exposed concrete in the under 3 area. I will not be going back. I encourage all parents to consider going somewhere else.

Fun place and excellent staff. One of the good places in the community that parents need. It needs a bit more maintenance like cleaning and padding the walls and securing the window in the under 3 years.

Took a 5 and 7 year old who both had a fun experience. Mid sized air conditioned facility with two play areas, one for 3yo and under and the other for those older than 3. Lots to climb, bounce and slide on throughout a 3 dimensional well padded maze. Cafe available serving coffee, cold drinks and snacks (caters for groups). Ample parking and located right next to a McDonald's. Friendly staff.

I had my son's 5th Birthday party there and everything went so smoothly. They're very friendly and the place is very clean. I also loved their sandwiche platers for adults. We all had a good time! Thank you! 😊

Great little placefor kids to play while you sit and watch. Friendly staff. Convenient. Good food options.

I had my sons 5th Birthday here today and he had the best time!! Everyone said how friendly the staff were and nothing was too much trouble. It was extremely easy and we loved that it wasn’t so overcrowded so didn’t feel manic and noisy. Everybody agreed that it was clean and tidy and the areas were great for the set age groups. It is great that you can pretty much see the kids from most places. Thanks heaps guys, we will be back and so will many of our guests!

This is a fantastic playground in the green, lush hills of Eltham. Toilet block, two electric BBQs, plenty of shade, great climbing and play equipment with a distinctly musical theme. Easy parking, or a short walk from Bunnings. Bike track and the train line run alongside the park.

I recently visited this park with my family for a picnic and we had a ball. Seems like a popular place to go for all ages. Pet friendly park with plenty of grass areas to relax. We will definitely be visiting more often.

Beautiful park plenty of area to walk ,found a tree man in park ,had a good talk with him ,he said he been here from a very long time but don't exactly remember 😊

Great park with lots of space to run around and play on the kids' equipment. Then there's the library that has been beautifully designed to weave into the treed area. Don't forget to take a seat and ponder the sculpture by Matcham Skipper.

Beautiful large park. Plenty of room for family gatherings.

Great park. Heaps of exploring to do. Be wary of snakes in hot weather.

Good park with lots of activities and play equipment for the kids to play on, big and small. Coffee shop close by as well. The toilets unfortunately were fairly disgusting so take your handwipes and toilet paper. Went back again yesterday and the toilets were spotless. Well done!

Love the timber fort playground, sandpit, water play area, swings and cute shops to spike those imaginative plays. The oval is great to kick a footy around and there are some some great bike tracks too. I found one single trail, but I'm guessing there may be more. This park has lots to offer for all ages and is one of our favourites

Love the fact there are 3 separate areas so small or anxious dogs can be separate from the main group. Lots of responsible owners. Plenty of space for dogs to zoom and catch balls. My dog loves it.

A great place to go for a lovely walk through the gum tree lined walkways. Fantastic adventure park for kids of all ages. Highly recommended

One of the biggest playgrounds is in the area. It has lots of free parking and a public loo. There are often food trucks in the area, but a kiosk is available with a wider selection and cheaper prices. There are walking and cycling tracks available following the river.

Excellent playground with a wonderful range of activities. Good facilities and shade. Also a short walk to Edendale farm to see the animals there.

Great place to spend time with friends and family. Kids will be spoilt for choice for playground options. Only downside is that toilet amenities are very basic. Otherwise, a big space to rest, relax and have a barbecue.

Great playground area for the kids and also top notch BBQ and picnic tables. There are also some great bike & walking tracks around here for example to Edendale Nursery or up to Diamond Creek. Large fenced sports oval, ample parking and areas to walk the dogs. Well maintained and cleaned by the local council.

It's a great place for sightseeing. There's a stone-build tower on the top of the hill, and if you walk to the top, you can enjoy the view of the surrounding area. There's a sitting area and carpark, too. We were there about midday, and quite unfortunately, we didn't get to see Kangaroos.

Great views from the tower, however views of the city from the lower lookout are blocked by trees. Toilets smelled really bad.

What a great hidden gem in outer Melbourne. There's a tower to climb in search of a fair maiden (sadly she was out maidening). There is also a pavilion showing the indigenous history of the area and some WW1 information. Defo worth a visit.

The lookout tower has a spiral stairs to the top. Nice view of surroundings from the balcony, and Melbourne CBD can be seen on a clear day. Ample parking, including disabled parking. There are toilets including cubicle with disability access. Bins provided.

Stunning setting on the top of a hill over looking the beautiful valley below. I didnt venture up the tower but my husband did and he said the views were amazing. Located at this memorial is a rotunda with story boards of Australian indigenous culture.

Lovely place to visit on the highest point in Kangaroo Ground. Nice large carpark. Toilets. Picnic tables. There is the obvious tower that is easy to climb the spiral staircase - all of 59 steps. Views 360 degrees to Melbourne and back to the Dandenongs. Nice interpretation boards with relevant and interesting information. There is also a more modern viewing platform. Nicely made but could benefit from some further info as it has nice large display boards. I’ve come here a few times just for the serenity that embraces you in a quiet but stunning environment.

This is one of the best lookout Towers in Melbourne, second only to Mt Dandenong. I only discovered this recently. It's awesome to climb the spiral staircase and walk around the top for a 360 view of the area north of Melbourne. Can see the city and the bay! There is a good Historical installation which is part of a wheelchair accessible lookout near the main memorial tower.

Wingrove Park is a delightful green space in Eltham, offering a serene setting with large eucalyptus trees and a 3 km loop trail that’s perfect for walking, running, or exploring with your dog. The park includes a dog off-leash area and is part of the Diamond Creek Trail, crossing picturesque footbridges and surrounded by natural beauty. Facilities include a parking area for up to 20 cars, a toilet block, and a bin for convenience near the car park. The park is easily accessible by train to Eltham Station or a short drive, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful outing. Visit during spring or autumn for the best experience, and enjoy the charm of the nearby Eltham township while you’re there.

Great location beautiful at all times of the year. Makes for a great walk for the whole family. Personally this is one of my favourite places to go it’s nice to see the wildlife as well as the natural vegetation.

Good place to go for a walk or run. More about the pathways than going off them but there are some green open areas and picnic tables and the like.

Very beautiful park, lots of activities for kids, and also lots of parking and barbecue places. What makes it more beautiful are the old and tall trees there.

Great walking track along the creek and through the trees. Takes about half an hour to do the circuit.

Lovely place to walk the dogs with lot of beautiful gum trees and bird life

Very calm and relaxing, love walking through and taking a seat to enjoy the outdoors

Wish i could give 7 stars to this beautiful place! Love the vibe, people and wealth of books. The building is also a state of an art. Nice clean areas and pods for deep working and reading! And lastly everyone i met there either working staff or readers are kind and respectful! 7⭐️

extremely unpleased with the lack of tables in the vicinity. i have came here multiple times in the past weeks, and the library has been completely full of people, leaving absolutely no table space for other people entering. this is very problematic and i highly encourage the library/council to enquire in adding more tables/chairs, especially booths as this issue really should be resolved.

Decent library. The long opening hours are great. My only gripe is the temperature unbearably hot and stuffy inside 365 days a year. I can’t stay long without feeling itchy and irritated.

Tuesday 11th March - 3.20pm Wow, what can I say. It started off okay with a delightful employee and then I couldn’t get the right help from her colleague. Just wanted to print off some pages on their photocopy machine and she couldn’t help. Covertly condescending employee that ruined my whole experience at your library. Shame, I’d just moved to Eltham and I’m good friends with the architect of the building. Had a lovely conversation about the library, its history and architecture with the first employee but it was all ruined within minutes by this other female employee. Don’t know her name. A shame because the other employees were really lovely. Won’t come again. Pity.

best ever, lot of flexible seats, fire pit, lovely staffs (they provides hot water, cup and tea bags, and they cleans everything)

I was amazed by the age as well as the maintenance of the building. Such a beautiful library with some extra art display. Kids have their own large room with books, toys and a cosy home-like movie conner. We have watched a wildlife movie there with local families in a cold night. Wonderful time.

Great library in wonderful nature reserve, with good walking track alongside Diamond creek! Gallery is interesting, what I thought was school art exhibition was a display of artwork for sale.

An out of the way park along the Yarra River Hardly any one using it when I visited only one dog walker in the hour I was there Nice flora and fauna and some nice views of the river and the rapids

Great spot, secluded but very large area for your dog to have a good exercise. Easy to lose your dog if they don’t recall. Access to river to view or fish. Some nice we’ll grassed spots for a picnic (no facilities). Good part of it is all terrain wheelchair 🦼 compatible. Path pictured extends along river for longer walks but is used by walkers, mountain bike riders etc so consider retaining on leash.

Very nice park, nice walk along the river woth dogs

Close to us really nice off leash park. Usually not very busy. Flat area , bush, and river it has everything my dog loves!

Great walk along the river and a good swim spot. The access can be steep and is on an umade path so not suitable for those with mobility issues

This charming park runs alongside the Yarra River in Eltham. The riparian forest has abundant native species with well-worn walking tracks winding beside the river. Several small water cascades can be seen at intervals along the river. Very pleasant.

Favourite place to go for a lovely walk along the river. Also a great picnic and swimming spot in summer! My dog and I love it 🐶

Went fishing here in the afternoon for an hour and a half but didn't catch any fish. There are a few little unmarked trails to small sandbanks. They are a bit slippery and quite steep though.

A great off lead dog park and just a great spot for a walk along the yarra river

Such a beautiful place to go for a short walk. There's no toilets or any facilities. It's a fairly flat nature walk.

The tracks are not well marked but the scenery is stunning and worth the effort of getting there and doing the walk. The bush is in decent condition with some weeds but the smell of eucalyptus is so sweet and the sound of flowing water so tranquil.

A very scenic spot, great for bike rides and walks with the family. If your going there to fish then don't bother, there are more fish in the Sahara desert than at Sweeney's lane...

Far from the madding COVID crowds, a quiet, pretty spot with ducks, the glittering river, cyclists far away on the opposite bank, giant fallen pine trees, an informal, uneven track all the way to Griffith's Park. Highly recommended.

Some well worn tracks through scrub that lead to nothing much at all. No grassland, no great access to river. SOME PICS TAGGED AS SWEENEY FLATS ARE ACTUALLY THE ORCHARDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.