Correction (10 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten from scratch: every place below was confirmed at two independent sources between 9 October 2026 and 10 October 2026, and every price was copied from the page it was published on.
Free first is the rule on this page, but the honest picture is small: four places to do something in and around Lower Plenty at the weekend, all of them in Eltham rather than in Lower Plenty itself. Where a place lists a price, we copied it exactly and the item is named beside it. Eltham Library shows no price we copied, so we list it without one rather than call it free.
Every place was confirmed at two sources. Hours are given only where a listing prints them, and we say whose listing it is. A short itinerary is in the quick answers.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Listed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday miniature train rides | Diamond Valley Railway | Ticket (per person per ride) | $5 |
| Artist community and galleries | Montsalvat | Adults (18+ years) | $15 |
| Indoor gallery and storytimes | Eltham Library | see below | not printed here |
| Indoor pools and spa | Eltham Leisure Centre | Adult Swim | $10.10 |
Diamond Valley Railway — Eltham Lower Park, Eltham VIC 3095
Diamond Valley Railway’s site says it is open every Sunday 11am - 5pm, and selected public holidays, closing at 4pm during June and July. Diamond Valley Railway’s ticket page lists $5 per person per ride, with children under 2 years old free. The site also says that from Sunday 18th October 2026 until early 2027 it will accept card payments only while repairs are made to the station building, and card payments incur a 1% processing surcharge. Free parking is available within the park, the Diamond Valley Railway site says.
Listed prices (copied from dvr.com.au/ticket-prices.php on 10 October 2026):
- Ticket (per person per ride): $5
- Children under 2 years old: free
Free first: Diamond Valley Railway’s site says children under 2 years old ride free and that parking within the park is free.
Montsalvat — 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham VIC 3095
Montsalvat’s site lists open hours of Wednesday – Sunday, 10AM–4PM, and says it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Montsalvat describes itself as Australia’s oldest continuously operating artist community and invites visitors to explore the galleries, grounds and artist studios. Its visit page lists Adults (18+ years) at $15 and Children under 12 as free. Montsalvat also lists Concessions / Child (12–18 years) at $10 and Family (2 adults & up 2 youth 12-18 yrs) at $45.
Listed prices (copied from montsalvat.com.au/visit on 9 October 2026):
- Adults (18+ years): $15
- Concessions / Child (12–18 years): $10
- Family (2 adults & up 2 youth 12-18 yrs): $45
- Children under 12: free
Get there: Montsalvat’s site says free carparking is available on-site but spaces are limited and spots fill up quickly, and that dogs are not permitted in the grounds, though they are welcome at the cafe on a leash.
Eltham Library — Panther Place, Eltham VIC 3095
Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s page for Eltham Library lists Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. We have not printed Saturday hours, because the listing shows no Saturday row we can confirm. The library page also lists a Community Gallery with exhibitions by local artists, Free Wi-Fi and a Coworking Space, and says its Storytimes are renowned and much loved by local families. We found no price for Eltham Library, so we have printed none.
Rain backup: Yarra Plenty Regional Library lists a Community Gallery and Free Wi-Fi at Eltham Library, and the Nillumbik Shire Council page gives 9439 9266 if you want to confirm Saturday hours first.
Eltham Leisure Centre — 40 Brougham Street, Eltham VIC 3095
Nillumbik Leisure’s page for Eltham Leisure Centre lists an 8-lane 25m indoor swimming pool, a learn to swim pool with toddler play area, a warm water pool, a spa, sauna and steam room. The same site lists hours of Monday to Friday 5:30am to 10:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 7:00am to 8:00pm, while the OpenStreetMap tag for Eltham Leisure Centre reads 06:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 08:00 to 20:00 on weekends, so confirm before you go. Eltham Leisure Centre’s page says pools, spa, steam room and sauna close 30 minutes prior to the centre closing time. Nillumbik Leisure’s casual pricing lists Adult Swim at $10.10 and Child Swim at $8.00 for Eltham Leisure Centre.
Listed prices (copied from nillumbikleisure.com.au/casual-pricing on 10 October 2026):
- Adult Swim: $10.10
- Child Swim: $8.00
- Family Swim: $27.40
- Adult Swim, Spa, Steam and Sauna: $16.30
Plan it: the casual pricing page is a Nillumbik Leisure network page that names Eltham Leisure Centre in its fine print, and it lists Adult Swim, Spa, Steam and Sauna at $16.30 and Family Swim at $27.40, so confirm with the centre.
Quick answers
What is open on Sunday near Lower Plenty?
Diamond Valley Railway’s site says it is open every Sunday 11am - 5pm, and selected public holidays. Yarra Plenty Regional Library lists Eltham Library on Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Nillumbik Leisure lists Eltham Leisure Centre on Sunday 7:00am to 8:00pm. Montsalvat’s site lists Wednesday – Sunday, 10AM–4PM.
How much do things to do in Eltham cost?
Diamond Valley Railway’s ticket page lists $5 per person per ride, with children under 2 years old free. Montsalvat lists Adults (18+ years) at $15 and Children under 12 as free. Eltham Leisure Centre’s casual pricing lists Adult Swim at $10.10. We found no price for Eltham Library, so we cannot say what it costs.
Is there a rainy day option near Lower Plenty?
Yarra Plenty Regional Library lists a Community Gallery and Free Wi-Fi at Eltham Library, which gives you an indoor option. Nillumbik Leisure lists an indoor swimming pool, a warm water pool, a spa, sauna and steam room at Eltham Leisure Centre. Montsalvat’s site invites visitors to explore its galleries, grounds and artist studios.
What is a simple weekend plan near Lower Plenty?
Start on Sunday at Diamond Valley Railway, which lists 11am - 5pm and a ticket of $5 per person per ride. Add Montsalvat, whose site lists Wednesday – Sunday, 10AM–4PM, with Adults (18+ years) at $15. Finish with Eltham Library, which lists Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, or a swim at Eltham Leisure Centre, which lists Sunday 7:00am to 8:00pm. Check each listing first, because hours and prices change.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources between 9 October 2026 and 10 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, the places’ own websites and council pages. Every price is copied exactly as printed on the page linked under Sources, between 9 October 2026 and 10 October 2026, the date given beside each menu. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Diamond Valley Railway: openstreetmap.org/48992997, dvr.com.au, dvr.com.au/location.php, dvr.com.au/ticket-prices.php, dvr.com.au/operating-times.php
- Montsalvat: openstreetmap.org/32900352, montsalvat.com.au/visit
- Eltham Library: yprl.vic.gov.au/eltham-library, nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Libraries
- Eltham Leisure Centre: openstreetmap.org/27932052, nillumbikleisure.com.au/eltham-leisure-centre, nillumbikleisure.com.au/opening-hours, nillumbikleisure.com.au/casual-pricing
