Driving Melba's Lilydale

Dame Nellie Melba and David Mitchell in Melba’s 1911 Pierce Arrow Car, YRRM Collection #12769

Driving Melba's Lilydale with Lilydale & District Historical Society

Escape the city and enjoy a relaxing Sunday drive to Dame Nellie Melba’s beloved Lilydale. Discover the key sites and stories of Melba’s legacy, guided by the Lilydale & District Historical Society. 

In this 2-hour tour, visitors will meet at Lilydale Cemetery to see Melba’s final resting place and commence the tour. Friendly and knowledgeable guides from Lilydale & District Historical Society will share stories at each stop. 

Meeting Place: Lilydale Cemetery 
Stop 1: Cave Hill Quarry 
Stop 2: Melba Park and Yarra Ranges Regional Museum 

Visitors will be required to drive themselves to each stop of the tour and meet the tour guide on foot at each stop. A small amount of walking will be required at each stop. Please come prepared for inclement weather. 

The itinerary will be provided to ticket holders via email, with timing for each stop. At the end of the tour, visitors are encouraged to view the A Toast to Melba exhibition on show at Yarra Ranges Regional Museum (free entry), and enjoy lunch at Gracious Grace cafe (bookings required). 

For a full Melba-inspired day out, we can highly recommend a visit to Coombe Yarra Valley in the afternoon. 

This program is proudly delivered in partnership with Lilydale & District Historical Society. $5 per ticket sold will go to the historical society.