On this week's episode of Drive TV, Emma takes the Nissan Leaf on a scenic drive through the picturesque Yarra Ranges. One of the best parts about this journey is that it's not too far from the CBD, and ideal for a day trip or weekend of adventure – the choice is yours.
Drive Season 4 screens on Channel 9 at 11am each Sunday. The full episode will be available to video on 9Now after it airs.
The drive from Melbourne to reach Gembrook is a quick and easy run along the M1. Gembrook is a charming town located right on the doorstep of the Dandenong Ranges. Here, we visited The Motorist – a vintage motoring museum situated on the main street. Our timing was ideal as we caught a glimpse of the iconic Puffing Billy, as Gembrook is the steam train's final stop.
We then trekked north, stopping off at the Ship Rock Falls in Hoddles Creek, which offers historical sites, picnic and camping grounds, and has plenty of bushwalking tracks to explore.
From there, it’s a short drive to the quaint town of Launching Place – believed to be named after the place on the Yarra River where freshly cut logs were 'launched' into the river to be milled in Melbourne.
Due to some temporary road closures, we took a bit of a detour to get to Mount Donna Buang, but it was well worth it. Donna Buang Road is a challenging run through the forest, but be cautious as the road is narrow, so it's best to drive under the speed limit as you never know when there's a larger vehicle coming around a tight bend.
You can always skip this leg, but for us it was another great opportunity to become more acquainted with our Nissan Leaf.
We then travelled back down to Warburton, which sits on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. A former goldmine and timber town, it’s framed by rivers and creeks, mountains and rainforests, and offers some of the most magical scenery.
It’s also home to the Warburton Adventure Company – if you’re eager for a sense of adventure, or if you’re a local wanting to explore more of what’s on your doorstep, then this place is for you.
We chose to end our trip taking in the magical sunset while abseiling down a cliff, just for something different. But if that doesn't tickle your fancy, then there’s an abundance of other activities to choose from including river sledding, mountain biking, and caving.
Google Maps link for this route (from Melbourne)
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