A habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, the Valley Reserve is 15 hectares of Aussie bushland. Home to 55 native species— 32 of which are plant species — the reserve is overlaid with hiking trails offering the best of nature.  Expect to find Australian bush animals like the Grey-headed Flying Fox, Southern Bell Frog, Eastern Snake-necked Tortoise, and more.

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Learn how to interpret photographic styles, composition, and more at the Monash Gallery of Art — a leading public photography gallery that houses the works of top Australian photographers. The gallery collects, preserves and presents Australian photographs over the ages, and educates its audiences through innovative interpretive displays and engaging public programmes. 

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Image Source: monash.vic.gov.au

It is easy to immerse yourself with art in Monash; all you need to do is keep your eyes peeled when you are out and about. The city has a series of public art installations aimed to enrich its cultural and artistic diversity. Beyond that, whimsical street art murals are constantly created to reflect both the city’s natural beauty and its dynamic contemporary art scene.

Dedicated to the creations of the city’s artists, the Track Gallery showcases artworks of local artists and cultural groups. The gallery hosts up to 20 exhibitions a year and features paintings, photography, sculptures and multimedia from upcoming artists in Monash.

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Sink your teeth into unusual dishes such as Crab Cake Benedict, Vegan Tofu Scramble or Spicy Cheese Scramble at Mocha Jo’s, a cafe of over 20 years in the heart of Glen Waverley. There are also more traditional dishes like Eggs Benedict and Waffles, if you prefer to keep things safe and predictable. 

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Have a sweet tooth? Vanilla Cakes and Lounge is the place to satiate your craving. The Greek pastries are a must at this family-run establishment specialising in Greek and Mediterranean fare. Savour its delightful desserts in the comfortable laid back ambience of this cosy cafe.

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The only way to start your day on a good note in Monash is to have a great cup of aromatic coffee. And Black Flat Coffee Brewers is the place to have it. Offering a wide range of filter coffees every week, the cafe serves an assortment of delicious pastries and bagels to go with your coffee. Keen to try something different? Order its vegan friendly Oat Milk Latte!

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Brighten up your after-university hours by chilling at Robinson’s Coffee Bookshop — the perfect place to immerse yourself in the literary world while enjoying a cup of coffee and treats. Celebrating the world of literature, poets, authors and everything literary, the cafe is ideal for any bookworm to lose themselves in.

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There is nothing better than juicy burgers and fries to get you going, and Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co gives you that and more. Do order Betty’s Classic—a scrumptious mouthwatering burger filled with Angus beef and Betty’s special sauce in generous amounts. Pair your burger and fries with a thick shake blended with freshly made frozen custard ice cream and you are all set. 

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Ease the pressure from school with a trip to Zone Bowling Clayton and bowl to your heart’s content. The venue’s vibrant lighting and delicious food and drinks menu transforms the bowling alley into a buzzworthy lifestyle destination. 

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Monash’s nearby suburbs offer a handful of great cycling trails. One of the trails to bike on is the Dandenong Creek Trail, spanning 44 kilometres and connecting with the Scotchmans Creek Trail. This path will take you through the Bushy wetlands, the natural conservation area of Shepherds Bush, as well as the Dandenong and Patterson Lakes. Along the way, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the best of nature which Monash has to offer.  

Get your adrenaline pumping and your mind racing at. A highly interactive escape room centre with avant-garde themes and original storylines, this thrilling experience will create friends out of strangers and deepen existing bonds between friends. Try it out and see what it’ll do to you!

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Dive into the waves at the Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre’s Wave Pool to de-stress after a long day at school. The big waves run for 20 minutes — during big wave season, you can even use the centre’s bodyboard to keep afloat! 

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Journey back into Monash's railway history at the Clayton Railway Station, an age-old station which traces the city’s rail heritage to over a century ago. Well preserved with interesting architectural features, the Clayton Heritage building under the station offers lots for visitors to take in. Constructed in Victorian style, the original rail platform holds facts and stories of its past; a great way to peek into Monash’s past. 

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Take a day out to Healesville Sanctuary, which specialises in native Australian animals, and get up close (and personal) to them. Set in natural bushland environment, you can explore the different habitat areas showcasing kangaroos, wombats, dingoes and more than 200 antive bird species.    

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Soak in the fresh air, savour innovative local cuisine, and enjoy the relaxed alfresco lifestyle on your day trip to the Mornington Peninsula. A short drive away from Monash, you can explore seaside villages, escape inland to check out its boutique wineries or lose yourself in the lush gardens. 

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Need assistance to plan your Monash getaway? Contact the team at PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne — we would most gladly help you to plan a suitable itinerary for your Monash trip!