VARSTY 2024. Ural tour North East of Melbourne.

Thanks for the info. I hope to visit with the 4 wheel “Ural”.

Hi everyone.

At our last venture in the Adelaide Hills there seemed quite a lot of interest in exploring the forests and surrounds around the eastern side of Melbourne – based in Healesville. So, look forward to an enthusiastic bunch of you joining us next March. As Lee said in his earlier post, the dates are now set, (ride days 18/3 to 22/3), and here is some information about accommodation around here.

There are two Caravan parks in Healesville; a small more intimate one that unfortunately is already booked out for our VARSTy 24 dates. By the way VARSTy is an acronym invented by Norm many years ago: VARSTy = Victorian Autumn Russian Sidecar Tour Yippee!

The other one is the Big 4 Park run by Park Lane Yarra Valley. It is on the Don Road leading about 6 minutes out of Healesville centre. It is a big park very well set up with great facilities and a wide variety of accommodation types. Cabins are $200 / night and there are various glamping options at $180 per night. Powered caravan sites are $45 per night. If there is enough of us, we will get a 10% discount. There are places with group kitchens, BBQs, fire pit, etc. and places where we can meet as a group. A ‘Group’ has been set up for us with the booking number 49074. The website for this place is parklaneholidayparks.com.au and click the Yarra Valley Park.  The phone number during business hours is 03 5962 4328. I was talking with Dianne who set up the group booking for me, but you may end talking to someone else.

Another option is staying at the Sanctuary House Resort motel on Badger Creek road close to Healesville Sanctuary - also about 5 minutes out of Healesville centre. This place is used for conferences, etc. and has 23 rooms of various configurations. For a five night stay from Sun 17th to checkout on 22nd March, a single bed room would be $670 and a two bed room would be $735. Shorter stays would obviously be less – e.g. single room with a queen bed for 4 nights would be $520 from 18/3 to 22/3. Web site for Sanctuary house is www.sanctuaryhouse.com.au with phone number 03 5962 5148. The lady to talk to is Helen.

There are other accommodation options for other motels in Healesville and also Airbnb but I am aware that this email has already become long, so will leave it there. Any questions, please leave a message on the forum for me.
Lee and I will get back to you about the program of adventures later once we settle on and verify the 5 days of riding.

Meanwhile please indicate your interests and make accommodation bookings.

Gary

We have booked a cabin at the Big 4. 👍👍. Big discount as B4 members and VARSTY group.  
Good work Gary. 

L & H.

All booked in guys, see you there