A Tour of the Yarra Valley: the Mazda CX-80 Pure is in its element

Exploring Mount Donna Buang in the Mazda CX-80

At 1245 metres above sea level the air is clear and pure. Actually, it’s 1266 metres, given we are currently standing atop the 21-metre high lookout tower located at the summit of Mount Donna Buang in the Yarra Ranges National Park. 

The air may be clear up here but today the view is not. Thick cloud envelopes the mountain and hangs in the trees like a scene from a Tolkien novel or the planet Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back. 

Happily, neither orcs nor ancient green Jedi jump out at us and the Mazda CX-80 Pure sits soundly on tarmac rather than nose down in a swamp, which is handy as we need its shelter to escape a temperature that is resolutely in single digits. 

 

 

Why the Mazda CX-80 Pure Stands Out Among Seven-Seat SUVs

As is the case with many Mazda models, the Pure is the entry-level offering in the CX-80 range. Pure can mean many things, but in this instance the definition of “without any extraneous or unnecessary elements” is the most appropriate. 

Are there desirable features in the higher-grade CX-80s? Absolutely. Does the Pure lack anything that you really need in a family SUV? As we’ll discover, it puts forward a persuasive argument that the answer is no. 

Its task today is to ferry photographer Nathan Jacobs and myself on a tour of the Yarra Valley exploring the four elements of the natural world: earth, water, air and fire. Air we’ve already dealt with, earth will come later and with any luck we’ll avoid fire altogether (we’ve a replacement in mind...), but water is a mere five-minute drive away.  

 

 

Discovering Hidden Stops in the Yarra Valley

Occupy the large car park near the top of Mount Donna Buang for any length of time and you’re guaranteed to witness a steady stream of people heading to the north-west corner and pulling giant containers out of their cars. 

The cause of this curious behaviour is the natural spring that flows out of the rocks, which anecdotally has been tested as some of the purest water you’ll find. Whether the benefits are scientific or merely placebo, its popularity is such that you’d think it was the fountain of youth. 

One family is currently taking full advantage of this free and abundant resource, the rear ends of their cars sagging under the weight of hundreds of litres of water. The father tells me they are locals who have been coming here for 20 years and it’s the only thing they’ll drink and cook with.  

 

 

The water gushes out of the pipe at such a rate that it takes only seconds for Nathan and I to fill our bottles and while it may or may not have special powers, it’s certainly extremely cold. Time to move on. 

Mount Donna Buang is a popular destination for families, especially in winter where it’s the closest place to metropolitan Melbourne that receives a worthwhile dumping of snow, but with the kids at home today we’re able to enjoy the twisting road that snakes its way up – and in our case, down – the mountain. 

 

Mazda CX-80 Performance and Flexible Interior Space

Just because there is room for seven occupants, why does that mean the one in the driver’s seat can’t enjoy themself? The CX-80 Pure boasts Mazda’s powerful 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine in addition to a rear-biased all-wheel drive system that makes it one of the most engaging and dynamic SUVs on the market.

 

 

It steers and handles with a finesse that few would expect for a car this size, the inline-six surging between corners, a testament to Mazda’s dedication to driver engagement. Even if you’re not auditioning for F1: Drive to Survive, this competence results in a car that feels controlled and well within itself in daily driving. 

That crystal clear water no doubt takes a more direct route to the base of Donna Buang but a lot of it ends up at Warburton Water World, a sizeable park with playgrounds for younger and older kids and a huge water play area. 

Personally, I would call today’s temperature marginal for aquatic activities but the kids currently slipping and sliding and splashing around couldn’t care less. Pack the swim gear and put it on the to-do list if you’re in the area on a warm day.

 

 

One of the CX-80's USPs is its flexibility and packaging. It accommodates three rows of seats in a body that’s 140mm shorter in length and 20mm narrower than its CX-90 bigger brother, which could be a gamechanger if parking space is at a premium. 

Yet if they’re not required, the aftmost seats tuck away to create a 566-litre boot, enough to easily swallow all Nathan’s camera gear, while a reclinable and slidable 60:40 split second row can increase either boot space or third-row legroom further. 

 

Premium Features included in the Mazda CX-80 Pure

And remember what we said about the Pure being all you need? This is primarily because its standard specification boasts features that many rivals only offer on their flagships, if at all, including a head-up display, triple-zone climate control and a 360-degree parking camera. 

This is in addition to wireless smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), an eight-speaker stereo, 240-volt AC outlet in the boot, LED head- and taillights, leather steering wheel, USB-C charging ports in all three rows and a five-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to 10 airbags and Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE driver assist technology. 

 

Lunch at Fergusson Winery during a Yarra Valley Road Trip

It makes the 50-minute drive to our lunch venue, Fergusson Winery located just north of Yarra Glen, pass seamlessly. Established in 1968 by the Fergusson brothers, it’s now owned by chef Paul Cooper and run by Sara Morgan. 

Cooper has a strong focus on sustainability, creatively ensuring every possible element of a plant or animal is used to eliminate any unnecessary or extraneous wastage. Examples include the sirloin jus that is made from offcuts saved during butchering, a special pink butter created with leftover Shiraz grapes from the latest vintage and a broccoli pesto using the stems and stalks that are frequently discarded.   

It’s important to state that Nathan and I booked and paid for our meal like any other customer because it provides context to the following statement: we both agree the lunch at Fergusson Winery is one of the most spectacular culinary experiences we’ve ever had. 

Every single dish is outrageous, from the chilli miso crispy chicken and mushroom and parmesan arancini (a personal recommendation by our delightfully mustachioed Italian waiter), to the seared scallops and heirloom tomato salad to the lamb and sauteed broccoli, the textures and flavours are out of this world.  

The only shortcoming is that our stomachs can’t hold more and we waddle back to the CX-80, putting its currently vacant third row to good use by securing some precious cargo named Rose and Pinot Noir.

 

 

Family-Friendly Places to Visit in the Yarra Valley

Having enjoyed the purity of air, water and now earth all that’s left is to find a replacement for fire, given we have no desire for any spontaneous conflagrations today.  

Thankfully, we don’t have far to travel, as fewer than 10 minutes down the road is the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. It’s a destination that’s guaranteed to find favour with the rear row occupants of any CX-80, though such are the delights contained within those occupants may have a surplus of energy on the drive home. You’ve been warned. 

No matter your taste or preference, there will be a sweet product to meet your needs. The choice is overwhelming: frozen, solid or liquid; light, dark or white; tiny, small, medium or large – it's a chocoholic’s dream. Or nightmare, depending on how you look at it. Nathan has switched to his one-handed photography mode, the other now holding a gigantic ice cream. 

After a day spent sampling the varied delights of the Yarra Valley, during which our entry-level CX-80 has left us wanting for nothing, there’s no better way to finish off than with some pure indulgence.