Explore Eltham & The Yarra Valley

Eltham is one of Melbourne's most distinctive outer suburbs — a leafy, creative hill-side enclave 25 minutes from the CBD, with a long-standing artistic identity and a 'green-wedge' setting that feels far more rural than the drive-time suggests. From Eltham Gateway you can be among artists' studios, mud-brick architecture and historic homesteads in five minutes, or among Yarra Valley cellar doors in thirty.



Locals say creativity is breathable here. Eltham has been a bastion of cultural artisans for many decades — most famously, the Heidelberg School of painters captured the romance, beauty and adventure of the early days. Painting, poetry and music pervade the community, and even the architecture stands out — a visit to the Eltham Library to observe its splendid mud-brick construction is a quiet delight. Many locals live and work in 'muddies'.

Montsalvat

Australia's oldest continuing artists' community, established in 1934 by Justus Jorgensen on five hectares (12 acres). Wander among mud-brick cottages, formal gardens, the impressive Great Hall, and artist studios — much of it still home to working creatives. A regular events and concert programme runs throughout the year.


Distance / drive time: ~5 km / ~10 min drive

Best time to visit: Year-round; check the events calendar for jazz, opera and seasonal markets

Heidelberg School Artists' Trail

Eltham has six locations on the Heidelberg School Artists' Trail, all connected to the painter Walter Withers and arranged as a 1.5 km walk. Each location pairs the modern view with a reproduction of the relevant 19th- or early-20th-century painting, so you can see how the landscape has changed.


Distance: Walking distance from the hotel

Best time to visit: Year-round; spring and autumn light are most painterly

Eltham Library & Local Mud-brick Architecture

The Eltham Library is one of Australia's most celebrated examples of mud-brick public architecture — a quietly beautiful building that says something true about its town. Pair with a stroll through the surrounding precinct to spot residential muddies in the wild.


Distance / drive time: ~2 km / ~5 min drive


Eltham Markets and Arts & Craft Galleries

Eltham is famous for its regular markets and an extensive selection of galleries and craft studios. Many run weekend market days you can simply wander through, and creative workshops welcome travellers as well as locals.


Distance: ~2 km / ~5 min drive


The Yarra Valley — 90+ Cellar Doors

Victoria's oldest wine region — with nearly 180 years of wine-making and more than 90 cellar doors clustered around Coldstream, Healesville and Yarra Glen. The Yarra Valley is best known for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines; many cellar doors pair tastings with hatted restaurants and farm-gate produce.


Distance: ~25–40 min drive

Best time to visit: Vintage Feb–May; cellar doors open year-round

Healesville Sanctuary

Australia's premier native-wildlife sanctuary — kangaroos, koalas, platypus, Tasmanian devils, and the unmissable Spirits of the Sky raptor display. A favourite for families heading into the Yarra Valley


Distance: ~35 km / ~40 min drive

In the Neighbourhood

  • Golf courses: Numerous public and private courses within easy reach.
  • Bush walks: Plenty Gorge Park, Yarra Park, Mt Lofty walks.
  • Cycling tracks: Main Yarra Trail along the Yarra River.
  • Farm-gate produce: Discover local seasonal produce in Yarra Glen, Coldstream, and Hurstbridge.
  • Melbourne CBD: ~25 minutes by car.
  • Melbourne Airport (MEL): ~25 minutes by car.