Lilydale Travel Guide

Lilydale is at the end of the line and only needs a zone 2 ticket on Metlink. Lilydale, 39 km west-north-west of Melbourne via the Maroondah Highway, could be described as the gateway to the Yarra Valley wine-growing area. In fact a profitable wine industry developed at Lilydale in the 19th century on the back of the rich red volcanic soils of the area. It got under way with the planting of the Yarra Valley's first vines in 1838 at Yering station to the north. The Lilydale Agricultural and Horticultural Show is one of the state's largest such shows outside of Melbourne. It is held in November. The Lilydale Antique Fair and Art Exhibition is held at Jean Eales Pavilion at 27-29 Market St at the outset of October. At Wandin, 10 km south-east of Lilydale on the Warburton Highway, the Victorian Cherry Festival falls in December and the Wandin Field Days are held at the Wandin East Reserve in October. The Coldstream Country and Western Festival is held in February.