Grants On Sherbrooke - Emerald

Decided to take the short drive (for us) to have lunch at Grants on Sherbrooke and arrived fortunately before some significant numbers on tours. Opted for the Special of the Day which was a delicious Chicken Breast Salad on rocket with crispy bacon pieces, and a tasty honey mustard sauce. Priced under $15 this was a real bargain dish that left nothing to be wanted. My partner chose the vegetarian Focaccia for the same price, and although she enjoyed it, I feel I had the better of the dishes. Double shot mug of coffee with a shared 'famous' vanilla slice really topped off our time on the balcony soaking up the Autumn warmth.

Generally go early in the morning or towards closing as the car park fills early. There are hundreds of birds to see and have land on you (if you pay for entry). Popular with Asian Tourists. The gift shop has a large range of Australian items.

This place has beautiful scones that are perfect to enjoy with coffee or tea with.. Also get nice views of the birds and forests as well..

Enjoyed a stop here on our way to the Dandenongs with an AAT tour we took. We had a nice Devonshire Tea during our stop. We had Lamingtons with our tea and were also able to try Vegemite with crackers. (It is an acquired taste!!) We were able to feed the wild cockatoos, which was fun, they are pets in the states, loved seeing the birds in the wild. There is a nice gift shop which has reasonably priced gifts . We enjoyed a morning tea here of Devonshire tea . Would highly recommend this place to travelers, we were lucky & it was a stop on our bus tour ~ nice surprise.

Grants on Sherbrooke is situated in the heart of The Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia. It is a popular stop as part of a coach tour through the quaint township of Belgrave, home of The Puffing Billy Railway. Just a short 5 minute drive through the roundabout and we are there. Guests exit the coach straight into the heart of the Australian bush, surrounded by towering Eucalypts. With over 130 species of birds within The Dandenongs, this is the place to get up close and personal to a few. There are tearooms as you enter and an outdoor deck, which brings the forest inside. There is an extensive range of souvenirs, cold drinks and snacks available from the indoor shop, as well as clothing, toys, books and gourmet products. In a separate area outside is an enclosed space where visitors can feed the birds. Over the years, the sulphur crested cockatoos have increased their domination and will defend their right to get the most from you, over the other birds. With special birdseed available, the birds will eatfrom your hand and will include, rosellas and the beautiful King Parrot with its bright red and green colours. If we are lucky, we will spot a Kookaburra high in the tree branch, casting a beady eye for something edible - on this occasion, swooping down to grab a hot chip from someone's plate! They have extremely good eyesight. Snakes are sometimes on their menu in the Australian Bush. There are walking trails beyond the fenced off area if there is time to explore. Maybe the elusive and famous lyrebird - the mimicker of the bird world - is out there on the ground somewhere? The pink and grey Galah is on the ground here today.On a cruise ship shore excursion, time is tight and we must prepare to move on.However, after a delicious break for devonshire tea and lovely coffee, in a covered shelter, surrounded by the bush and wild birds, it is hard to have to leave.No review of Grants should ignore the very special service I have always received from the owners and staff. Always friendly and smiling, very well organised. I feel they know me now, having returned many times. It is important and under recognised a lot of the time. It enhances the experience for sure. Highly recommended.