the scenic route
hEALESVILLE
Lunch in Healesville was a bit of a palaver.
When first entering the town, I was struck by how Collingwood it had become.
The last time I passed through this way was probably 2016, and at best, you had the two pubs and the bakery to choose from. I found myself drowning in the choice of many small upmarket cafes, and an endless supply of trendy shops.
Ultimately, I found it all quite lacking. Much like the real life Collingwood, you’re paying top dollar for vapid and transient trendy goods. Nothing good to be found in the shops, and so I settled for the good old bakery.
Hadn’t changed much from what I remember, even the same window booths, but then I gazed dumbstruck at the $6.20 pies.
The coffee I ordered was $5.40, and the beans had a very distinct burnt taste to them. Definitely as bad as I remember, though for about four times the price.
Solid 3/10.
the black spur road
I have no pictures of this because I was having too much fun sticking my head out the window and whooping around the bends.
Absolutely breathtaking forest.
9/10
marysville
I last visited this town in 2018. It’s very rare for me to say this, but nothing has changed in 6 years. Same shops, same streets, and same vibe.
Same bakery, same parks, same conference centre. The only things that are really new are the fresh crop of tract houses, and the for sale sign at the sight of the Old Lolly Shop.
Sadly, it still feels like this town has not fully recovered from being wiped out in ‘09. Despite the amazing rebuild attempt, it lacks a sense of community that most other country towns have. Noticeboards were pretty bare, and there was almost no foot traffic, though I was passing through at 3.00.
Parks were still quite nice, and I think I’ll be back for a longer stay in the future.
5/10
Original site of The Lolly Shop.
The New Lolly Shop
Following the Maroondah Highway up through Healesville toward Yea will take you through some of the most enchanting country that North East Victoria has to offer.
I’m a fairly regular commuter between Yea and Melbourne, but today marks the first time I decided to try a different route.
Choosing a beautiful sunny September day, I stopped by a few popular destinations along the way.
Healesville Grand Hotel
The old News Agents
Maroondah resovoir
This was my first time visiting this iconic tourist destination. Constructed in 1927, it remains to this day an important source of Melbournes water.
I’ve seen many tall buildings in my time, but it’s not often you actually feel the scale of something, and this dam is almost monumental in scale.
Standing at 41 meters high, it dominates the surrounding landscape. It was like standing at the base of the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, and looking up at the spire. It makes you feel small in a way few other structures can’t.
A solid wall of pure concrete and steel that seems to stretch on forever, like a Kubrick-esque monolith.
One of those amazing feats of engineering that leaves you taken aback.
I’ll let the images do the rest of the talking, but needless to say this was the highlight of my day.
9/10
Instead, enjoy this cool overgrown concrete tower. Very Miyazaki.
View from Main Street.
Iconic Bakery Cafe
Fishing by the fountain
Fire Museum, only surviving building from '09.
rOAD UP TO YEA
Another beautiful scenic stretch that takes you up through the sweeping hills in Cathedral surrounds. If you want to see just how green Australia can be, take a short trip through here.
It’s hard to keep driving with all the scenic lookouts. Coming through here at the golden hour was honestly painful. There was something amazing around every corner.
