GEMBROOK.COM.AU                                                                                                       APRIL 2008

GEMBROOK AN ARTIST'S PARADISE; HOME OF INTERNATIONAL ARTIST LEO BUCKLEY.
        A BEAUTIFUL RANGES VILLAGE - VISIT US ON THIS SITE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.
 Places to see; places to eat; pictures; descriptions; maps; accommodation lists and more.     
                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                       THIS WEBSITE AND DRAWINGS
                                                                                                                                                                                         ARE BY LEO BUCKLEY, A LOCAL ARTIST.                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                    IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE       
                                                                                                                                                                                 A GALLERY OF HIS WORK,     CLICK ON THIS LION LOGO  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                        To contact Leo for information,                                                                                            or to place your local interest on this website, use:-
                                                                                                             LEOART@WESTNET.COM.AU          
           CLICK FOR GEMBROOK MARKET                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
        CLICK FOR LOCATION MAPS                                                                                        
        CLICK FOR LOCAL ACCOMMODATION
                                                                               
                                   GEMBROOK   

COME BY CAR, TRAIN OR BUS,

 BUT DO VISIT US -

- GEMBROOK IS BEAUTIFUL.

                                    CLICK ON RED HIGHLIGHTS FOR A PICTURE AND MORE DESCRIPTION
                           (VIOLET HIGHLIGHTS ARE AWAITING FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE PROPRIETORS)

Gembrook, end of the line for Puffing Billy and the gateway to the bush country.  This is where the famous Puffing Billy engine made its first appearance way back in 1900 and there are still parts of Gembrook which reflect this time of pioneering loggers, enterprising farmers and ambitious miners. The New Puffing Billy Station is built in a beautiful situation and in the traditional style. You can choose from a wide selection of suitable gifts and souvenirs whilst enjoying something from the small refreshment bar. Just up the line you can see the Traditional Puffing Billy Station. 


Many of the buildings in Gembrook are the original structures which were populated and enjoyed by the people of those days.
Opposite to Puffing Billy Station, the old Ranges Pub (now called The Ranges Hotel and Motel) has seen many a boisterous time when the men of the community - the logging, farming and mining fraternity - found time to relax.
Simply enter this old building for a drink or a meal to feel the genuine atmosphere of the vintage township and hear the echoes of its history.

Close nearby, on the corner of the delightful Avenue of Honour, is the Old Curiosity Shop where you can browse, without interruption, on antiques and items of interest from all over.

A few steps more and you can visit the Motorist Museum and spend some time looking at vintage cars in various stages of restoration; a fascinating place to visit.


Next to the Motorist Museum you will find Gembrook Sweet Co. which is an ice-cream parlour and a lolly shop (Yum !)
Take the children into the ice-cream parlour, or leave them playing safely at the playground in the J.A.C. Russell Park, opposite, while you have a special ice just for you. The adjoining store Bush Furniture  will surely be of interest to you.
Adjacent to the Bush Furniture store there is Ripsnorter a trail bike rental centre, where you can borrow a trail bike to explore the country-side.

Just down the street, check out the small shopping precinct.  Here is Gembrook Bakery  where you will find the quality produce which you would expect from a home-baking, country bakery.  In the same area there is a small IGA supermarket and Cellars Bottleshop

A short distance more is hairdressing and beauty salon Rubee Rose. Recently under new management it now also offers haircutting for men.

Walk  towards the other end of the village and call in to Unique Creations  to see doll craft at its very best. This little shop is a part of Gembrook Cottages  where you will find the most delightful and unique cottages for B&B or longer stays.

Close by you can visit Charlotte's On Main to have a meal or browse their crafts items. This restaurant has recently changed hands and the new owners have brought the beauty of the building to renewed life. It was once a vintage pottery and it retains its decorum of a relaxed and creative atmosphere even though it is many years since the ancient craft was practiced here.
Sit back and enjoy delicious food and drink served by the friendly and welcoming owners.

A little further on and you can watch the children have enormous fun in the large Adventure Playground.
There is a family barbeque here so bring your stuff and enjoy.

Whilst at this end of town, if art is your thing, you really must visit the Studio and Gallery of Sue Jarvis. This talented artist has her work on display within easy reach of where you are. It is just down the road -check the map for the exact location.

Come back on the other side of the road, and catch the Gembrook Feed Shed where you can see a collection of Bonsai and even have a TAROT reading; as well as buying a wide variety of animal feedstock at very competitive prices.

Walk along a while and take a look in the traditionally built Post Office. Offering much more than just stamps and newspapers you will find gifts, souvenirs and friendly service. There is even a mini golf course.

Continue on to Old Mac's  takeaway for a quick snack of hot, freshly cooked food. If you want something more special, then look next door, in the same building. Here is the Gembrook Fernery Restaurant, where you can have a delightful, leisurely, high quality meal.
This ancient building has been modernised as a comfortable, fully equipped, licensed eating place. But it has an old beauty which can be seen at a glance from its exterior structure and a history as interesting as any you will find in Australia.

Cross the lane and you are in J.A.C.Russell Park and adjacent to the re-created station for Puffing Billy. With luck, Puffing Billy will be there and you can relive the sounds, smell and excitement of the steam engine in all of its majesty.

Keep on going and cross to the other side and you will come across "The Greens" Gardeners' Drive Through, a unique approach to the nursery business. A small but interesting nursery with a good selection of plants ready for you to drop into the boot of your car; and drive on out back to the main street. Pedestrian customers also will find a visit worth the time.
 

Wander around the town to find art galleries, craft shops, plant nurseries and many other interesting places.
Come on  The Fourth Sunday in the Month and visit Gembrook's unique market.

Surrounding Gembrook is a wide range of places to visit.
If you are driving take a look at Kurth Kiln and learn of its history, or venture in the other direction towards Bimbimbie fauna park.
If you like walking, check the maps for a variety of natural forest walks or a round of golf; or, less strenuous, join the kids and enjoy a game of mini-golf behind the Post Office. 
Whatever your pleasure, look for it in Gembrook.
Plant nurseries, potteries, eating places, beautiful walks and lots and lots of history. Add to this the exciting arrival of the fabulous Puffing Billy Engine and train and you will have had a visit to remember.

Throughout the whole district there are places which offer accommodation and good food at the same time as taking you into their interesting past. Many of these places have been renovated to give you the best facilities and there are also many new and recently built buildings offering a wide range and variety of places to stay. As well as fully serviced accommodation there are cottages with do-it-yourself facilities and many bed-and-breakfast places in the immediate district. Check the list of accommodation in this website for telephone numbers and booking details.
 

No need to worry about fuel or other motoring matters. Gembrook Motors is a long established RACV garage with a good reputation for
non-fluctuating petrol prices as well as quality service and repairs.

Click on  HERE to find the maps, see DRAWINGS of some of the beautiful places and wildlife as drawn by a local artist. A touch of a button will enlarge these drawings for a better look; or perhaps even to grab a print!