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Belgrave
Overview
Belgrave may refer to:
Wikivoyage guide · 28 sections
▸Introduction510 chars
Belgrave is a suburb in Yarra Valley, 35 km east of Melbourne.
Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges. At the 2016 Census, Belgrave had a population of 3,929. Belgrave was first settled by Europeans in 1851; it is only 16 years younger than Melbourne.
It has many animals not found closer to Melbourne, such as black cockatoos, echidnas, wallabies, ringtail possums and bushy tail possums. There are many amazing forest tracks you can walk and places to go to fully see the beauty of the place.
▸Understand1,109 chars
Belgrave was named after Mount Belgrave, a house which was built by an early settling family, the Bensons. The family was connected with Belgrave Chapel Leeds, Yorkshire, England; the name carried by Mr and Mrs R.G. Benson when they came to Melbourne in 1856. Until the 1900s Belgrave was considered a part of Upper Ferntree Gully and the train station was known as Monbulk from 1900 to 1904.
The village centre started in what is now called Tecoma, where a school was opened in 1901. At the time of World War I, Belgrave had a store, a post office, a sawmill and a dozen or more farmers and nurserymen. By 1920 it had become a small resort area and had 7 guest houses and 4 coffee shops. It also had a lolly shop, a chemist and 2 stores.
Belgrave had a population of around 1,000 in the 1920s and they decided to give the growing settlement new place names: Belgrave Heights and Belgrave South.
Belgrave was promoted as the Queen of the Dandenong Ranges and as 'Belgrave the beautiful'. To its north there was Monbulk Forest (now called Sherbrooke Forest). The popularity of Belgrave continued after the war.
▸Climate434 chars
The weather in Belgrave is much as would be expected about anywhere in Melbourne; unpredictable. In summer there are days where it's too hot to go outside or do anything (except maybe go to the pool). In winter the days are shorter and darker and rain and hail can be expected (but the lantern parade is on to brighten up the darkest day). A lot of days it will be sunny and rainy on and off, or suddenly become clear on a stormy day.
▸Tourist information48 chars
Belgrave information from Visit Victoria website
▸By car120 chars
From Melbourne head east along Burwood Hwy.
From Gippsland and Mornington Peninsula head north along Belgrave-Hallam Rd.
▸By train411 chars
1 Belgrave Station is the final station on the Belgrave line. Travel from (and to) Melbourne takes approximately 1 hour, however during peak periods many trains run express, resulting in shorter journey times. To use public transport you'll need a Myki card, which can be obtained from post offices, milk-bars, petrol stations and train stations. Once you have the Myki card it needs to be topped up with money.
▸By bus460 chars
Adjacent to the Belgrave train station is the major bus terminus for the area with multiple routes servicing the local areas. Most bus routes don't run on Sundays or are woefully infrequent.
697 Belgrave - Belgrave South via Belgrave Heights
663 Belgrave - Lilydale via Kallista, The Patch, Monbulk and Mt Evelyn
695 Belgrave - Gembrook
699 Belgrave - Upwey
694 Belgrave - Olinda via Sherbrooke Road
693 Belgrave - Oakleigh via Ferntree Gully and Brandon Park
▸By car301 chars
Renting a car can be useful, consider using Car Next Door (many people rent their used cars out around the Dandenong Ranges). There is plenty of parking and much of the hinterland is accessible by car. Note that the roads can be curvy, hilly, bumpy and hard to drive on if you aren't used to the area.
▸By bike280 chars
Bike rental is possible but only from a bike store in Monbulk (Cog Bikes Australia). There are bike tracks along the railway to get to Tecoma, Upwey and Upper-Ferntree Gully but riding along the roads can be hilly, bumpy and generally hard to ride even if you're used to the area.
▸See1,047 chars
1 Sherbrooke Forest (1 km out of Belgrave on the Monbulk Road). A unique and ecologically valuable example of a sub-tropical rain forest. The flora and fauna are broad and varied; the forest of great white Victorian mountain ash and giant tree ferns. If you walk quietly, especially around dawn you may hear, and even glimpse, the male Lyrebird's dance. Be sure to include Sherbrooke Falls on your walk through this tranquil forest.
2 Borthwick Park (The pool playground) (next to Belgrave Pool). Walking track and playground. Children love the playground. (updated Jun 2020)
3 Belgrave Lake Park, 35 Park Dr. Nice park, has a playground. (updated Jun 2020)
4 Sherbrooke Art Society Inc, 62 Monbulk Rd, ☏ +61 3 9754-4264. A pretty art gallery. It has some amazing local art. Free. (updated Jun 2020)
5 Birdsland Reserve, 271 Mt Morton Rd, Belgrave Heights. A pretty track around the lake with many birds to see. (updated Jun 2020)
6 The 1000 steps. A beautiful scenic walk up lots of stairs! There's a playground at the bottom. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Do1,217 chars
1 Puffing Billy, 1 Old Monbulk Rd, ☏ +61 3 9757-0700. Puffing Billy historic steam train commences its journey from Belgrave. The train station follows on from the suburban train line. It is beautiful, especially going through the forest. For over 100 years, it was traditional for passengers to sit on the edges of the carriage windows with their legs dangling outside, but this was banned in 2018 due to safety concerns. Adults $37, children $19, under-4s free. (updated Jun 2020)
2 Trees Adventure - Glen Harrow Park (Trees Tops Adventure), Old Monbulk Rd (500 m from the town), ☏ +61 3 9752-5354. Beautiful tree climb, with ziplines and climbing courses all high up in the trees. There are lower courses for young children and scared adults. Adults $48, children 8-17 $38, children 4-7 $25. (updated Jun 2020)
3 Belgrave Outdoor Pool (Belgrave Pool), 69 Best St, ☏ +61 397542743. Open in summer. Outdoor pool, friendly atmosphere and great for families. Has a heated baby pool. Playground just outside the pool gates. (updated Jun 2020)
4 The Cameo, 1628 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9754-7844. Local cinemas in an attractive art deco era building. During summer there are also outdoor cinema sessions. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Events691 chars
Belgrave Big Dreams Market (Big Dreams). 2nd Sunday of the month 9AM-2PM. Where local businesses sell their products. It has many stalls with food, clothing, handmade jewellery, fresh produce, arts and crafts and whatever else people from the area want to sell. Has a very large range of vegan and vegetarian stalls. This market is an important part of both Belgrave and the hills. (updated Jun 2020)
Belgrave Lantern Festival, ccd@burrinja.org.au. Held along the main street every year, usually on the Saturday closest to the winter solstice (late June). People are encouraged to make lanterns and bring them to where a procession is then held to light up the night sky. (updated Jul 2020)
▸Buy684 chars
Belgrave has an eclectic mix of small shops as well as a supermarket, post office, bakery and organic shop.
1 Belgrave Emporium, 1662 Burwood Hwy. Unique local handmade crafts, vintage clothing and other vintage items. (updated Jun 2020)
2 Funky Stuff, 1651 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9754-4433. 10AM-5PM. Interesting clothing and artistic store. Very colourful and bright. (updated Jun 2020)
3 Belgrave Book Barn (The Book Barn), 1630 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9752-5404. 10AM-5:30PM. Great book and art supply store. (updated Jun 2020)
4 Through the Looking Glass Belgrave, 1669 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9754-8029. 11AM-4PM. Eclectic second-hand book store with friendly staff. (updated Jun 2020)
▸The Arcade322 chars
The Belgrave arcade is a small shopping mall where there are lots of little shops.
5 Baker and Baker Salts, The arcade, ☏ +61 406-404-734. Has lots of types of salt and pepper. (updated Jun 2020)
6 Loli Nail Salon, The Arcade, ☏ +61 3 9754-4122. A nail parlour with friendly staff and is fairly priced. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Budget831 chars
1 Babaji's Kitchen South Indian Restaurant & Food Truck (Babaji's), 1/1644 Burwood Hwy (right of the Sooki Lounge), ☏ +61 3 8288-2982. Th-Tu noon–8PM, W closed. Offers delicious samosas and a large range of Indian food. Has a vegan menu. (updated Jun 2020)
2 Belgrave Pizza House, 19/21 Bayview Rd, ☏ +61 3 9754-7093. Tu W Su 5–9:30PM, W 5–9:30PM, Th 5–10PM, F Sa 5–11PM. Suitable for families, well-priced. (updated Jun 2020)
3 La Collina Pizzeria, 1640 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 491-832-003. Monday 5–9PM, Tu-Th 2–9PM, F-Su noon–9:30PM. A small pizza place that also sells ice cream. (updated Jun 2020)
4 Mama Yama (The Sushi Shop), 1688 Burwood Hwy (along the street of Belgrave), ☏ +61 3 9754-8283. M-W 11AM–7PM, Th-Sa 11AM–8PM, Su 11AM–7:15PM. Offers sushi, rice dishes and other Japanese dishes. Has a vegan menu. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Mid-range663 chars
5 Micawber Tavern (The Tavern), 65/71 Monbulk Rd (along Monbulk road in the direction of Kallista), ☏ +61 3 9754-8660. Cosy pub with a vegan menu, child-friendly during the day (updated Jun 2020)
6 Savvy Organic Pizza & Ice Cream, Rear 3/1647 Burwood Hwy (left of Woolworths), ☏ +61 3 9754-6642. Th 5–9PM, F Sa 5–9:30PM, Su 5–9PM, M-W closed. Offers a large menu with ice cream and gelato. Vegan menu. (updated Jun 2020)
7 Jade Valley Restaurant, 1647 Burwood Hwy (in the arcade), ☏ +61 3 9754-6663. Chinese takeaway restaurant. (updated Jun 2020)
8 Honey Thai, 1678 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9752-6244. 4:30-10PM. Thai restaurant, has a vegan menu. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Splurge540 chars
These food stores aren't very much more costly than most of the mid-range, but they feel that way.
9 Le Voltaire Bistro Francais, 1677 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9754-7007. Late-night food, all you can eat, cosy. (updated Jun 2020)
10 India Gate Restaurant (India Gate), 3/1644 Burwood Hwy (down steps past Babaji's), ☏ +61 3 9754-1622. 5-10:30PM. Nice dinner restaurant, pretty inside, vegan options available. (updated Jun 2020)
11 Pho Vietnamese Street Food, 1671 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 8782-5285. 4:30-9PM. Big vegan menu. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Bars485 chars
1 Micawber Tavern (The Tavern), 65/71 Monbulk Rd (along Monbulk road in the direction of Kallista), ☏ +61 3 9754-8660. Cosy pub with a vegan menu, child-friendly during the day (updated Jun 2020)
2 Sooki Lounge, 1648 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9754-7567. M Tu closed, W Th noon-midnight, F noon-3AM, Sa 11AM-3AM, Su 11AM-midnight. (updated Jun 2020)
The Belgrave Hotel, 1645 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9754-2222. Tu-Su noon–10PM. Restaurant, cosy warm atmosphere, well-priced. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Cafes1,103 chars
3 Earthly Pleasures Cafe/Bar and Event Venue (Earthly Pleasures), 1627 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 397-526-744. 8:30AM–5:30PM. Beautiful cafe, it's an important part of the hills, big vegan menu, child-friendly, big garden and outdoor seating area. (updated Jun 2020)
4 Puffing Billy Cafe, 1674 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 397-546-115. M-F 8AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 7:30AM-4:30PM. The puffing billy inspired cafe. (updated Jun 2020)
5 The Blacksmith, 1/1700 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 397-541-174. M Tu 7AM–7PM, W Th 7AM–8PM, F Sa 7AM–9PM, Su 8AM–7PM. Child-friendly bakery and burger cafe. Has a play area. Vegan menu. (updated Jun 2020)
6 Bensons Cafe & Restaurant, 1710 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 397-542-726. M-W 9AM–4PM, Th F 9AM–9PM, Sa 8AM–9PM, Su 8AM–4PM. Cafe has coffee, cakes, lunch, brunch and dinner on some days. (updated Jun 2020)
7 Tree Of Delights, 1678 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 401-992-222. M-F 7AM-3PM. German cafe, good for breakfast and lunch, nice milkshakes, bread and cakes. (updated Jun 2020)
8 Cafe Hot Gossip Belgrave, 1692 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 424-879-435. Has nice cakes and hot drinks, has vegan options. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Budget229 chars
1 Belgrave Hideaway, 11 Wattle Ave, ☏ +61 439-303-463. $170. (updated Jun 2020)
2 Wildwood Lodge, 47 Bayview Rd, ☏ +61 416-748-482. Free WiFi, free parking, outdoor pool, air-conditioned, child-friendly. $198. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Mid-range306 chars
3 Stone's Throw Cottage Belgrave Accommodation, 11 Wattle Ave, ☏ +61 439-303-463. Free Breakfast, air conditioning, WiFi and parking. $220. (updated Jun 2020)
4 Belgrave Bed & Breakfast, 11 Monbulk Rd, ☏ +61 3 9754-4557. Free parking, air conditioning, breakfast, kitchen in rooms. $260. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Splurge156 chars
5 Clarelee Belgrave Accommodation, 41 Terrys Ave, ☏ +61 409-257-280. Free wifi, free breakfast, free parking, air-conditioned. From $300. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Fires473 chars
If you're travelling to Belgrave (or anywhere in Victoria) you'll want to make sure you're fire-safe, especially in summer. There are 4 important things to make sure you've done when coming to Belgrave.
Check the fire danger rating on the CFA website
Check if there's a total fire ban also on the CFA website
Check the local weather conditions here
If you're staying in Belgrave for a night or more, discuss your leaving early plans (only really for summer or hot seasons)
▸Roads159 chars
Some roads around Belgrave can be hilly, curvy, bumpy or dangerous. It can be especially hard for new drivers to drive on some of the harder roads in the area.
▸WiFi390 chars
1 Belgrave Library, Reynolds Ln, ☏ +61 3 9800-6489. Friendly librarians. Free WiFi to connect to. (updated Jun 2020)
2 Earthly Pleasures Cafe/Bar and Event Venue (Earthly Pleasures), 1627 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9752-6744. 8:30AM–5PM. Beautiful cafe, it's an important part of the hills, big vegan menu, suitable for children, big garden and outdoor seating area. Free WiFi. (updated Jun 2020)
▸Mobile data and phone lines195 chars
Mobile data and phone lines should work in Belgrave but note that Optus based data has a blackout area in Kallista but Telstra should work fine. This only applies to Kallista and not to Belgrave.
▸Cope466 chars
1 Belgrave Community Pharmacy, 1639 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9754-2001. The local pharmacy, it has medications, medicines, make-up, toys, lollies and other pharmacy items. (updated Jun 2020)
2 Australia Post - Belgrave LPO, 1706 Burwood Hwy, ☏ +61 3 9754-8480. The local post office. (updated Jun 2020)
Triple R local radio station. Frequency is 102.7FM. Plays lots of local artists' music.
Dandenong Ranges News local newspaper for the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley
▸Go next689 chars
Kallista is 4 km away from Belgrave via Monbulk Road just past the roundabout in Belgrave. The 663 bus (Belgrave to Lilydale) passes through Kallista and so does the 694. It has pretty forest tracks, a bird-feeding area and a picnic ground. There are cafes, a pizzeria and a general store. There's also an organics store with lots of fruits, vegetables and other organic produce.
Olinda is 9 km from Belgrave. Catching the 694 bus or 688 bus will get you there in around 35 minutes. There are many gardens and picnic grounds. Also, lots of eclectic shops with unique items, and pretty cafes and a bookshop. There's a chocolate factory/cafe, a lolly shop, a playground and an outdoor pool.
Facts
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Coordinates
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Source
WBP almanac
External sources
Media
From Wikipedia167 words
WBP editorial3
A walk beyond the tourist tram
Most visitors head straight for the Puffing Billy heritage line, but the surrounding Dandenong Ranges offer a network of quiet fire‑trail walks that reveal the area's original fern gullies and ferny waterfalls. Start at the Lower Ferntree Gully station, follow the gentle grade past towering mountain ash, and you’ll stumble upon the historic Croydon Estate, a 19th‑century homestead now used for community art workshops. Pack a waterproof jacket; mist rolls in quickly from the gullies, turning the walk into a cool, atmospheric interlude far removed from the railway’s bustling platforms.
Coffee culture meets suburbia
Belgrave’s main strip has evolved from a sleepy commuter stop into a modest café corridor, where baristas blend locally roasted beans with a touch of Melbourne’s espresso pedigree. The best spot for a late‑afternoon espresso is a modest shop housed in a converted railway carriage – the same kind that once shunted freight on the old narrow‑gauge line. The venue’s reclaimed timber interiors and low‑key jazz playlists provide a pause for travelers looking to observe everyday suburb life rather than the spectacle of the tourist train.
Seasonal market vibes
Every second Saturday, the local market springs up beside the station, offering artisans from the Dandenong Hills a platform for handmade pottery, native‑seeded herb mixes, and seasonal produce harvested from nearby orchards. The market’s rhythm mirrors the region’s agricultural calendar – berries in summer, root veg in autumn – giving visitors a sensory snapshot of the area’s food cycle. Arriving early secures the freshest stalls and a chance to chat with growers who often double as informal historians of the suburb’s development.