Holiday houses in Gembrook

Located at the gateway to the Bunyip State Park and Kurth Kiln Regional Park, the small town of Gembrook is only one hour’s drive from the city of Melbourne in the state of Victoria. It’s surrounded by rolling hills and fertile farmland, with swathes of crops growing in the area, including potatoes and chestnuts. You can visit a selection of fruit farms and pick your own berries in Gembrook, and there are vineyards close by offering plenty of opportunities to taste local wines. There’s a local market here on the fourth Sunday of the month, where people sell handicrafts and produce from nearby farms against a backdrop of Himalayan blue pine trees.

As you drive into Gembrook, you are greeted by a sculpture called ‘Camaraderie’, which is indicative of the warm welcome visitors often feel when visiting the town. The main street is lined with pretty churches and a handful of cafes, where you can sip coffee surrounded by lush eucalyptus trees — a reminder of the timber industry that was once so important to the area.

The name Gembrook comes from the semi-precious stones that were mined here, but the real jewel in this area is the natural beauty that surrounds the town, with scenic parks to explore and the Dandenong Ranges National Park within easy reach.

If you want to visit Gembrook during the hottest period of the year, summer is the time for you. However, you won’t be the only one heading here, with many visitors from Melbourne coming to take advantage of the natural beauty of the area in the Aussie sunshine. During these months, temperatures can be high, and there’s not much rainfall. In the winter, the weather will be cooler with a higher chance of rain, so you wear extra layers and wander around Bunyip State Park with more space to explore.

The Motorist Vintage Motoring Museum

Antique cars are the order of the day at The Motorist Vintage Motoring Museum, a small museum housed in the Terminus, formerly a garage servicing the local community dating back to the 1950s. You can explore the museum’s fascinating selection of classic cars and memorabilia, which includes a rare limousine.

Gembrook Park Flora and Fauna Reserve

Just a five-minute walk from the centre of the town is Gembrook Park Flora and Fauna Reserve. It covers 29 acres and boasts species from all around the world. You can wander along the self-guided trails among a variety of trees, including mountain grey gums, mountain ash, and redwoods. Choose between the Fern Gully Walk or the Hillside Walk, and stop for a scenic picnic while you’re there.

Puffing Billy

The Puffing Billy Railway is a historic steam railway that forms an integral part of life in Gembrook. You can choose from a 50-minute journey to Lakeside or a two hour journey to Belgrave. In a vintage carriage, you’ll wind through breathtaking natural scenery, including the Sherbrooke Forest with its ash trees, and the lakes at Emerald Lake Park, crossing historic trestle bridges.