A mere 30 minute drive East from the Melbourne CBD is the leafy suburb ofMitcham. Once a site of orchard farms, the suburb has since become a hub of activity with its proximity to the city of Melbourne and a homely, welcoming feel.
Take a trip to the late 1800’s with a visit to the historic Schwerkolt Cottage, an original pioneer’s stone cottage surrounded by 2.25 hectares of bushland. Furnished in a period style and fitted with documents and photographs of the era, it offers a fascinating look at the history of the Mitcham area.
A short drive up Whitehorse Road takes you to the sprawling Halliday Park, a recreation spot for Mitcham families for many decades. With a recent playground update and many shaded tables and BBQ areas, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon with younger family members.
Just up the road is Box Hill, which is notable for its multicultural diversity. As a result of the growing Chinese community in the area, Box Hill is home to dozens of Chinese restaurants guaranteed to suit any budget and taste!
Further east is the bustling suburb of Ringwood, which has seen its fair share of makeovers in the last decade. Spend a day getting lost at the recently renovated Eastland Shopping Centre, offering over 350 specialty stores of food and fashion. If shopping isn’t for you, try the nearby Aquanation, featuring brand new, state of the art aquatic facilities.
With the Eastlink tollway running underneath and around the suburb, Mitcham is a suitable driving gateway to many of the delights of the outer-eastern metropolitan area. Once you’ve explored Mitcham and its surrounding suburbs, hop back in the car and head up to the Dandenongs for 360 degree views of metropolitan Melbourne, or explore the many wineries of the Yarra Valley.