The River Walk, Warburton

I think Warburton is one of the prettiest towns I've ever seen. The River Walk follows the Yarra River, about 7 km return, along both sides of the river.

Rainforest Boardwalk, Warburton

Alpine Retreat Hotel, Warburton

We had lunch here in the courtyard of the Alpine Retreat Hotel. I had rack of lamb with home made mint sauce (just like mother used to make) and Dennis had lambs fry and mashed potatoes, both meals were very good.

The township is 20 minutes drive from Mount Donna Buang which is covered in snow in winter but one very unusually cold summer holiday I’m told that this courtyard roof was covered with a light fall of snow.

The Peach Orchard at Warburton

I can't resist peaches so we paid a visit to Rayners Stonefruit Orchard, not far up the road from Warburton. Just in time for afternoon tea at the Peach Cafe, Dennis had peach pie with cream and I had Devonshire tea (warm scones with strawberry jam and cream).

We bought a small box of white peaches, white nectarines, and blue plums. They also sell peach ice cream and a large assortment of fruit jams and chutney. I couldn't resist the peach and glace ginger jam and also a peach, red capsicum and chilli chutney.

Warburton, Victoria

After spending so much time on the coast, we fancied a cool flowing river -somewhere surrounded with beautiful scenery. And that’s what we got at Warburton in the Yarra Valley, only 100 kms from Melbourne.

It’s pot luck really, choosing a place to stay when you know absolutely nothing about the area but when I read ‘Warburton is an attractive town on the Yarra River, nestled in a valley between heavily forested mountains’ I thought it was worth a go.

I took these pics this afternoon on the track that follows the river from the Caravan Park, which is where we are staying.