Events

Crickets are chirping, the days now have a chilly edge and leaves are turning colour. Autumn is in the air, a perfect time to explore Melbourne's glorious Dandenong Ranges. Much loved by Melbournites we think we know the “Dandies” well but there are always new delights to discover and besides, how pleasant to be reacquainted with an old friend. If you haven’t toured the Dandenong Ranges on a scooter before, then you haven’t really experienced it. The mix of native forest background interspersed with exotic trees in their Autumn colours provides stunning scenery. However to be surrounded by all this beauty rather than view it from within the confines of a steel box is another matter altogether. 

Description
This leisurely ride is perfect for confident beginners. All members are welcome but we would particularly like to see new members as well as those who have yet to get their scooters out beyond city limits. Its also a great ride for older geared Vespas. We will be avoiding the main tourist roads as much as possible as we wind our way towards Emerald. Our route through the hills looks like a drunken pretzel as we criss-cross the slopes of the Dandenong ranges. All this meandering will take us along some of the most beautiful roads in the ranges, past villages nestled in the hills with charming names such as Sassafras, Olinda, Kalorama, Monbulk, Kalista and Sherbrooke. We'll delve through forests of towering mountain ash and stringybark, buzz past quaint 1920s guest houses and gracious homes with grand European gardens and plunge into verdant fern gullies all the while breathing in the fresh eucalypt-scented mountain air exquisitely blended with a cheeky twist of two-stroke oil. Hairpin bends, steep hills, thrilling descents and some short sections of dirt road will make us feel alive and invigorated. We may even bump into Puffing Billy along the way.

Breaks and Lunch
Mid morning refreshments or perhaps a Devonshire Tea will be available before we take a brief stroll through the beautiful gardens of Burnham Beeches to see its three-storey Art Deco mansion. A picnic lunch is planned at Emerald Lake around 1.45pm. Eats that can be shared are most welcome.

Ride Departure Point and Time
Our usual spot in the east, Britannia Mall, 485 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham (pull into the north side service road at the start of Mitcham shopping centre). Several cafes in this mall will cater for our needs. The ride will leave at 9:30 am sharp so arrive at 8:30 am if you need breakfast and coffee beforehand.

The ride totals about 154 kms. You should be able to do that distance comfortably on a tank however please arrive at the departure point with a full tank of fuel as finding a petrol station in the hills is not an easy matter. Petrol is available at Emerald after lunch if needed. Remember to pack that picnic lunch!