What to do on a day out in Belgrave

Puffing Billy Station in Belgrave. Picture: ON FILE

Belgrave is a busy place throughout the summer, so let’s have a look at a few of the things you can do on a day out.

If nature is your thing, Belgrave Lake Park is a great place to start. Ideal for a chilled-out walk around, a picnic, barbeque or just a relaxing start to the day, it’s a great place to get a breath of fresh air. The beautiful Birdsland Reserve is nearby too, featuring native animals and birds (including platypuses), walking tracks and barbeques.

If it isn’t, the Cameo Cinema is open all week and over the summer is running an open-air cinema at select times. Movies being shown across the summer include new blockbusters like Avatar: The Way of Water to classic Christmas films like Die Hard.

The outdoor cinema is open to pets and features a licensed bar stocked with food and drink. Due to weather, sessions may be changed or cancelled but booking is essential.

Of course, there’s also the venerated Puffing Billy if you are looking to get around the Dandenong Ranges for the afternoon. The century-old steam train operates daily except on Christmas Day and runs on its original tracks from Belgrave to Gembrook, with the station in Belgrave located at 1 Old Monbulk Road.

Belgrave is also full of Cafés and restaurants to visit throughout the main street and surrounding areas. Take a walk down Blacksmiths Way where a peculiar art installation has been installed by Yarra Ranges Council, showing a swimming platypus across the laneway.

When night hits, there are several bars like Sooki Lounge to kick back and enjoy the burgeoning music scene Belgrave is known for. Other bars that regularly have live shows include the bluesy 12 Bar Belgrave and Micawber Tavern.

The township also has several well-known markets running regularly, including the Big Dreams Market on the second Sunday of each month.

There is always plenty to do in Belgrave if you are looking for a big day out.