Photo: Scott McNaughton
This stretch of river in the Warrandyte State Park, around 40 minutes from central Melbourne, is the perfect place for a spot of lilo or tubing action for a simple reason – it s virtually a loop, so you can float along and end up back where you started. It has an interesting back story too: in 1870, miners created the Pound Bend Tunnel to divert the Yarra so that they could dredge for gold. Take a post-swim stroll along the interpretive trail that sheds light on local Wurundjeri history and culture. With toilets nearby, this is a good option for a family day out, so pack a picnic.