Just the thing for winter

By Kath Gannaway
SNOW or no snow, winter time in Marysville is a great time to immerse yourself in all the things that make the colder weather one of the best times to be out and about.
Marysville, with Lake Mountain the closest cross-country snow fields to Melbourne and with its great snow-play areas, has always been the main attraction … and it still is!
But, with businesses re-opening every week, there is so much more to do.
Steaming hot chocolate or coffee, walks, cosy accommodation, shopping, fishing, a game of golf or bowls, or just sitting around a blazing log fire … Marysville has everything to make a day-trip, or an overnight get-away a memorable and fun winter experience.
Transport from Healesville is easy with Richard and Leonie Uden from Country Touch running a bus every Saturday and over the school holidays, or by appointment at other times right up to the snowfields. Their Country Touch shop is scheduled to re-open for the Queen’s Birthday weekend offering fabulous knitwear, including possum-fur yarn garments from New Zealand.
Linda Dickinson’s Crystal Journey is another great place to visit with a gift shop and theme gardens as well as displays of Massey Ferguson tractors and collectables.
The Marysville Community Golf and Bowls Club is offering nine holes of golf for $10 Monday to Friday and an all-weather bowling green. Relax with coffee, wine and snacks after the game in the cosy clubhouse.
Fraga’s Café and Restaurant in the main street is a top spot to stop and re-fuel after a day in the snow, walking or sight-seeing.
The emphasis is on tasty, warming snacks and meals using local ingredients and freshly prepared on the premises.
“There are lots of walks now open, Bruno’s sculpture garden, the beautiful new Kin Playground and quite a few retail shops now open, the streetscape has been redone … so there are lots of reasons to come to Marysville,” James said.
Bruno’s Sculpture Garden, on the banks of the Steavenson River, is an enduring favourite attraction in Marysville. Bruno Torfs’ sculptures, some Black Saturday survivors, others new creations, evoke a sense of adventure and discovery in a setting that continues to emerge as an inspiring example of regeneration and resilience.
The crisp, full-flowing streams around Marysville are popular with anglers, as is the Marysville Trout and Salmon Ponds run by Leslie and Jenny Dovaston. With picnic and barbecue areas on site, and a safe environment for children, it is a great place to throw in a line, or, if you’ve had no luck on the river bank, purchase a trout on the way home!
Accommodation is also well and truly on the upturn with new B&B’s opening regularly and the Marysville Caravan Park and Crossways offering warm and cosy overnight and longer accommodation.
Both are on the Steavenson River, right in the heart of town and a short drive from Lake Mountain.
“We’re hoping for a good snow season and the return of overnight stayers, which is what the area needs right now,” said Pam Phillips of Crossways.
“The whole area has so much to offer and there is plenty to keep people busy and entertained for an extended stay,” she said.
That sentiment is endorsed by Delice Guscott, treasurer of the local Lions Club and the Lions representative on the redevelopment of Gallipoli Park.
“There is certainly lots to see and do,” Ms Guscott said.
“The DSE is opening up all the walking tracks, we have the new garden and playground, places for people to shop and eat and of course, we’re all looking forward to a good snow season which will bring people in,” she said.
Her message for Yarra Valley and Melbourne residents?
“Just rug up and come and visit Marysville … we’d love to see you.”