GEMBROOK IS A LOVELY VILLAGE ------CHECK OUT THIS SITE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.
                     Places to see; places to eat; pictures; descriptions; maps; accommodation lists and more.     
                                                                                                                                                                    

     GEMBROOK    - THE GEM OF THE DANDENONGS

                                                                                                                    
                                                            THIS WEBSITE AND DRAWINGS ARE BY LEO BUCKLEY, A LOCAL ARTIST.                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  MAY 2010
                                                           IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE  MORE 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 HOME PAGE
    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 , MORE DESCRIPTION and WEBSITES.
                           (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 small Original Puffing Billy Station. 
Alongside the new Puffing Billy Station is the site of the Gembrook monthly market. (More about the market below)

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.
Whilst you are there, check out "Pandora's Box" a charming, old style, antiques and collectibles shop. It has many, many items which may be of interest to you.

                                                       Animal lovers will be delighted to see that Gembrook boasts its own Veterinary Surgery.
                At Gembrook Veterinary Clinic you might see anything from a lamb to a llama; a country Veterinarian Doctor has to deal with the most astonishing variety of animals.
 

                Just down the street, check out the small Shopping Precinct.  it has an IGA supermarket and Cellars Bottle-shop as well as a bakery and an Indian Restaurant and teke-away
                                               Here is Gembrook Bakery  where you will find the quality produce which you would expect from a country bakery. 
                                                                    Sit outside and enjoy food which could only have come from a home-baking, local baker.
                                                                                         
Here, also, you will find an Indian Restaurant and Take-away. 
                       A meal from this place is a great enjoyment with genuine flavours and nuances produced by Indian Chefs who are proud to present their cultural foods for your pleasure.
   
                                                                               A short distance further is hairdressing and beauty salon Rubee Rose.

Walk  towards the other end of the village and you will pass Gembrook Cottages  where you will find the most delightful and unique cottages for B&B or longer stays. Click on this website to see images of the dreamy cottage interiors.

Close by you can visit Charlotte's On Main to have a meal or browse their crafts items. 
                  The 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 see the Studio and Gallery of Sue Jarvis.
This talented and award-winning artist has her work on display within easy reach of where you are.
The gallery is in a beautiful setting and is truly worth your visit. It is just down the Gembrook-Pakenham Road, so check the map for the exact location.
   
Meanwhile, back down Launching Place Road for half a kilometer would bring you to the small studio of Leo Buckley. This English artist came to Gembrook to retire from international acclaim and now works quietly in his small untidy studio. It is not a selling gallery but he can be persuaded to open his doors for a chat and to show you his work.
     

    Come back on the other side of the road, and catch the Gembrook Feed Shed  to buy a wide variety of animal feedstock. This is a proudly local business and sells at proudly, local, competitive prices; there's no need to visit superstores when this man is in town! It's so much closer to home

    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.

    A pace or two from the Post Office you can see one of the oldest buildings in Gembrook. This ancient building has been modernised for comfortable, fully equipped eating places. But it still retains 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.
   
Stop off at "Gembrook Munchie's" for fresh fish and chips, but also examine the menu for many other special meals.
Also, ladies, at the same address you can give yourself a special treat at "Sassy Sue's Beauty".  Spray tanning, waxing and facials are some of the goodies on offer.

If you are fussy about your pizzas you must try at "Little Gem Pizza Cafe" where you will find, arguably, the best one you have ever had.
To stay in business in a small village like Gembrook, you just have to be good!!

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.

Wander around the area to find art galleries, craft shops and many other interesting places.
Come on a the Fourth Sunday of 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.
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 FREE print!