Things to do in Yarra Valley, Australia

Discover some of the Yarra Valley's top wineries by bus to sample delectable local wines and food. Taste a range of fresh local juices, savor quality wines at three wineries, tuck into a delicious local lunch, and top everything off with a visit to a chocolaterie for a sweet finish. Begin your full-day gourmet tour of the Yarra Valley with an exclusive farm gate visit to Yarra Farm Fresh, for a palate-cleansing fruit tasting experience. Sample a range of freshly made juices and other locally made products. Next, travel to one of the valley’s iconic wineries, Balgownie Estate, to enjoy a tasting from their extensive range of quality wines. Learn how to swirl and sniff like true connoisseurs, while sampling some of the very finest cool-climate wines. At the Yarra Valley Dairy the amazing products will truly melt in your mouth. The cheeses here are stunning and have your taste buds working overtime! Stop for lunch at the fabulous Rochford Wines and choose from four different main meals, with a glass of wine, tea, or coffee. Take some time to explore the gift shop, or perhaps climb the spiral staircase to enjoy the panoramic views from Rochford’s famous lookout tower. After lunch, make your way to one of Australia’s great wineries and member of the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame, Yering Station. Home of Victoria’s oldest vineyards, first planted in 1838, the wines here are of exceptional quality and a tasting here is not to be missed. The final destination is the amazing Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Here, enjoy a complimentary tasting of the spectacular delights handcrafted by the chocolaterie’s French and Belgian chocolatiers.

Experience the thrill of ascending over a changing landscape at sunrise, suspended in a basket, floating under a spectacular hot air balloon. The cold air hits your cheeks, clouds floating past, the hot flames above warm you up under the morning sky… as you take flight… up, up, and float away. Join a spectacular hot air balloon experience with a bird's eye view of the picturesque Yarra Valley (located an hour’s drive from Melbourne) – Victoria’s renowned wine region. Operating 364 days of the year (weather permitting) this once-in-a-lifetime tour experience provides an entirely different perspective of the Yarra Valley, beyond the typical tourist itinerary. Take off on a beautiful hot air balloon flight over the Yarra Valley at sunrise. The Yarra Valley is home to 90 vineyards and 35 wineries, many of which hold a reputation for creating world-class wines. See it from an entirely new perspective as you breeze over the picture postcard landscape. Meet your pilot approximately one hour before sunrise (you will be advised of the exact time and location when you phone the duty pilot the night before your flight). Your pilot will give you a short briefing before being transported to the launch site where you may help with the launch or stand back and take photos of the balloon as it is inflated. Then, climb aboard, and away you go gently floating over the Yarra Valley as if you were a cloud. It is truly one of the most magnificently tranquil, picturesque, and dream-like experiences you can do. Afterward, make a final landing, pack the balloon away, and have a champagne breakfast (additional cost of $35pp).

We put an emphasis on the social, casual and fun side of a tour by making the group comfortable with one another. The day starts by everyone contributing to a playlist via Spotify so we have music for the day. Once we are on the road we want to get to know what type of people do we have. Are you a big drinker? More of a chocolate and cheese type? Do you like wine ? Do you like beer instead? The guide aims to figure out what kind of group he has and what everyone wants to do. Together, we all contribute to the itinerary and make a plan for the day. There are a lot of options to choose from, but generally there is time for 5 venues. Options range from over 100 wineries of all sizes (some of which are better at certain wines and blends than others), A gin distillery, a champagne place, a cheese place, a cider place, a beer place, a chocolate place, a vodka distillery, a blueberry winery, art museums and restaurants. We generally have time for 5 venues, so we can't do everything! But we aim to try and make sure we do the things that most of the group want to do. If the group want to do a bit of everything we try our best to do as many different things as possible. Sometimes groups are a little less into alcohol than others, so the tours itinerary will change everyday. Sometimes all 5 venues are alcohol related, where as some are only 1 or 2. Because everything is relatively close to one another, there are certain moments where even the group can be split up. Across the road from the winery is a gin place. Across the road from the chocolate place is a winery..etc... So you get complete freedom throughout the day. Of course, however, if we have a group that are happy to put their faith in us and are not too bothered we have a default itinerary that we like to go through. Generally speaking the day would be the following... - Wine tasting at a scenic winery (Helen and Joeys Estate) - 1 Smaller, boutique winery that also does an incredible apple cider (Yering Farm Wines) - A restaurant, 'Quarters', which is located at Huberts Estate, one of the largest wineries in the Yarra Valley. Here you would get complete freedom of what you order for lunch. Lunch is not included in the price and this would be at your own expense on the day. Also here is an indigenous art museum. -1 Gin distillery where we have a paddle/flight of Gins (Four Pillars) -1 Chocolate tasting of 10-12 chocolates (Yarra Valley Chocolataire) - Incredible views the entire time. Each place has tastings of 5-6 wines/gins which are all included in the price. The only additional price is lunch. All of this is done in a fun, social, laid back and non-pretentious way. This isn't a tour for people that take themselves too seriously. We want to inject a lot of fun into what can tend to be a bit of a rigid and structured tour. This isn't a tour, more like a road trip with mates!

Take a full-day wine tour in the Yarra Valley and discover some of the best wineries in Victoria just an hour's drive from Melbourne. Stop at 4 different wineries, taste a range of wines, and savor an included lunch. After pickup from a range of meeting points, depart for the Yarra Valley. Make your first stop at Greenstone, nestled in the base of the Christmas Hills. Begin by learning the art of the swirl, sniff, and slurp from your expert wine guide and then try a range of cellar door tastings. Move on to the next venue, Balgownie Estate, a stylish winery featuring great views and an excellent restaurant. Enjoy lunch with a glass of the estate's wine, then taste more of the wines produced there at the cellar door. In the afternoon, travel through the gorgeous scenery to a smaller boutique winery, Yering Farm. Experience traditionally made wines and see the antique copper wine-making equipment used by the Yarra Valley’s pioneer vignerons. Afterward, make your final stop at Soumah of Yarrah Valey. The cool climate allows this winery to specialize in styles and varieties typical to northern Italy and southeastern France, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Sample the award-winning wines before returning to Melbourne.

Leaving the CBD early morning and be taken straight to Lake Mountain with spectacular views as you drive up. Once at the top of the mountain enjoy 3 hours of snow play. Make a snow man, hire a toboggan, throw some snow balls or take a cross-country ski lesson.  In the afternoon take a visit to the wonderous Steavenson Falls, one of the tallest in Victoria with 5 cascades and a total descent of 122 meters. Enjoy a nature walk along the river to the base of this majestic waterfall. On your return to Melbourne make a stop at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice-creamery where you can watch the chocolatiers at work and sample some of the free chocolate!

Sample local wines, beers, ciders, and sweets on a fun day tour, to experience the Yarra Valley to the fullest. Meet your host in Melbourne at a central meeting point location in front of St Paul's Cathedral, then head towards the Yarra Valley. Next, visit the first winery for a 1-hour guided wine tasting experience. Journey to the second winery for further wine tastings, followed by a seasonal 2-course style lunch with a glass of estate wine of your choice. After lunch, head to the third and final wine tasting location. Once you've explored different regional wines, it's time to visit a brewery for a glass of beer or cider to enjoy. The final stop of the tour takes you to a local chocolate factory and ice creamery for a sweet finish. At approximately 4:15 PM, head back to Melbourne where you'll arrive at around 5:45 PM and be dropped off by Federation Square or St Paul's Cathedral.

Travel to the north-east through the bush laden suburbs of Templestowe, Eltham and Kangaroo Ground to the De Bortoli Vineyard at Dixons Creek. This is an elegant start to the day as you'll enjoy a pairing of selected wines and cheeses. It's then on Yering Station, the site of the first vineyard in Victoria in 1838. You'll enjoy a tasting of their estate wines in the original winery (circa 1859) that also features local artworks and produce. For lunch, you'll adjourn to their stunning restaurant. With its world-class views and cuisine, you’ll have an a la carte selection from which to select your main course meal and glass of wine. After lunch, it's a change of pace with a visit to Payten & Jones, one of the smaller producers in the Yarra Valley. Behn Payten and Troy Jones produce small-batch, approachable wines with a personality that includes the familiar chardonnay and pinot noir, together with syrah and some Mediterranean varietals. The afternoon continues with a visit to the Coldstream Hills Winery at Coldstream. Established by James Halliday, one of Australia’s leading authors and commentators on wine, the wines are beautifully crafted and have enjoyed success at numerous wine shows, especially the chardonnay and pinot noir. The final stop for the day is at the charming Medhurst Vineyard. Established in 1999, the family-owned vineyard of 35 acres has a delightful elevation in the foothills of the Warramate Ranges and produces a small selection of elegant table wines. On days when Coldstream Hills and Medhurst are not open (Tue, Wed & Thu) visits would instead be made to Punt Road and/or Oakridge Vineyards.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne with an early morning departure from the city. Make your way through the eastern suburbs towards the mountains of the Yarra Ranges National Park. Stop in the township of Healsville where you can purchase breakfast and stretch your legs as you breathe in the crisp fresh air. Then, wind your way through the Black Spur and pass through Marysville, before climbing to the top of Lake Mountain. Notice the change in scenery and benefit from spectacular views of the Cathedral Ranges as you get your first glimpse of the snow. Upon arrival at the top, put on your gloves and prepare for some fun. Benefit from 3 hours to hire a toboggan and hit the slopes, or build a snowman and throw snowballs at each other. Purchase a cross-country skiing lesson or go on a hike through the snow gums to the summit of Lake Mountain.  As your time on the mountain comes to an end, journey back down to take a short walk to the base of one of Victoria's highest waterfalls. Enjoy the splendid scenery at Steavenson Falls. Round off the day at the 'Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.' Savor free chocolate samples or one of their delicious hot chocolates, before returning to Melbourne where you will get dropped off in the inner city.

Eat and drink your way through the stunningly exquisite Yarra Valley on a tour from Melbourne. Visit traditional wineries and learn about the process of Australian winemaking. Sip award-winning wine and ciders whilst being surrounded by spectacular landscapes. Taste fresh produce and chocolate. Start the day with an indulgent feast for your senses, at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice-Creamery with an exclusive behind-the-scenes chocolate tasting. Over 250 handcrafted chocolates are available for purchase, as well as a variety of free chocolate samples to enjoy. Visit three boutique wineries and cellar-door estates, such as St Huberts, Boat O’Craigo, and Medhurst Wines. In some cases, the itinerary and winery stops will need to be modified due to unforeseen circumstances, such as group sizes, special events, and cellar-door closures. Enjoy free time in Healesville, grab lunch and discover the gateway town to the Yarra Valley. See the Yarra Valley through local eyes rather than being shuttled from one winery to another. Whilst in Healesville, explore the local shops, cafes, and restaurants or pop into Four Pillars Gin Distillery, Matilda Bay Brewery, or Alchemy Distillers. Finally, enjoy a relaxing ride back to Melbourne.

Sample local wines, beers, ciders, and the famous gins at Four Pillars Distillery on a fun day tour to experience the Yarra Valley to the fullest. Meet your host in Melbourne at a central meeting point in front of St Paul's Cathedral at 9 AM, then head towards the Yarra Valley. Next, visit the first winery for a guided wine-tasting experience with a lovely shared grazing board. Then, journey to the second winery for more. By around midday, visit a local brewery to enjoy a tasting paddle of their delicious craft beers or ciders. Here, partake in a shared lunch with gourmet pizzas and fries. After lunch, head to a famous Gin Distillery where you can sample a tasting paddle that includes 4 top gins with a tonic to wash it down. At approximately 4 PM, head back to Melbourne where you'll arrive at around 5:15 PM and be dropped off by Federation Square or St Paul's Cathedral.