A trip down under in any season is an absolute delight. When done right, a vacation in Australia has the ability to check all the boxes of an ideal trip. While the continent is brimming with post-perfect places, one of the most popular destinations in Australia is Melbourne. The capital city of the gorgeous state of Victoria is famous for its glistening beaches, rapturous nightlife, and spectacular lifestyle. But that doesn’t mean that you have to be holed within the city limits the entire time.
Located in the north-central part of the greater Melbourne area is one of Australia’s most coveted wine countries, the Yarra Valley. A tour of the Yarra Valley should definitely be a part of your itinerary. From visiting the valley’s famous fresh food store to make a stop at the De Bortoli Wines, this tour celebrates everything that is quintessentially Australian. Be prepared to encounter the culinary heaven of Australia, filled with wine, cheese, and chocolate.
Going From Melbourne To Yarra Valley
Melbourne to Yarra Valley by Car
The fastest route from Melbourne is to travel along the Eastern Freeway and then continue to Eastlink tollway. Next, you need to exit at Ringwood Bypass and turn left onto the Maroondah Highway. Stay on this road until you reach Healesville through Ringwood and Lilydale. When you reach Coldstream, leave the Maroondah Highway and turn onto the Melba Highway to Yarra Glen.
Melbourne to Yarra Valley by Bus
There are a number of travel companies that run buses from Melbourne to Yarra Valley. You may be able to make direct bookings from the travel companies’ sites. You can also take bus number 901 from Langhorn and bus number 685 from Lilydale to reach Yarra Valley.
Melbourne to Yarra Valley by Train
Several trains connect Yarra Valley to Melbourne. You may have to change trains and mode of transport to reach Yarra Valley from Melbourne. You can board trains from Southern Cross Station or Flinders Street Station that will take you to Yarra Valley via Ringwood and Lilydale.
Melbourne to Yarra Valley - A Gourmet Tour
The most convenient and comfortable way of visiting the Yarra Valley is definitely an organized Gourmet Tour. This package not only takes care of the transfers but also provides you with a highly researched and optimized itinerary. The tour rate includes all entry fees and taxes. You will also be accompanied by expert guides to the locations so that you get the most out of your visit. Free WiFi, complimentary lunch, wine, chocolate, and cheese tastings are some of the other benefits clubbed with this package. It is simply too good to pass up.
Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour
Explore Yarra Valley on an exciting day tour which includes sampling local produce at Yarra Farm Fresh, wine-tasting at the iconic DeBortoli Wines and Yering Station, savor fresh cheeses at Yarra Valley Dairy, lunch at Rochford wines, and indulge in premium chocolates at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. This tour offers a perfect getaway to the Melbourne countryside.
Yarra Valley Itinerary - Best Things to Do in Yarra Valley
While it may not be entirely possible to do all of these within a day, you can pick and choose activities that interest you and tailor your itinerary accordingly.
Take a Wine Tour
When you are at the heart of Victoria’s Wine Country, you must not skip the wine tour. The 8 square kilometers of the area has some of the top wineries in Australia. With Headout’s Gourmet Tour, you will be able to visit and taste wine from De Bortoli Wines, Yering Station, and Rochford Winery. You will also be able to pick from four different meal options for your complimentary lunch at the Rochford Winery.
Go Skydiving In Yarra Valley
One of the most famous skydiving haunts in Melbourne is located at the Yarra Valley. The boundless stretch of wineries and Port Phillip Bay greet you as you take the leap with your tandem partner from 15,000 feet in the air. To say that the view and the experience are breathtaking would be a gross understatement.
Some guilt free indulgence at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
Among the many reasons for the popularity of Yarra Valley is the sheer amount of indulgence it allows. Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is undoubtedly the place to be for every chocolate and ice cream enthusiast. The place has a huge collection of gourmet chocolates, pastries, ice cream for you to load up on. They also offer lunch and breakfast menus, if you find your appetite staging a rebellion against you.
Gorge on the best cheese you've ever had at the Yarra Valley Dairy
Another important spot at Yarra Valley covered in the Gourmet Tour is the Yarra Valley Dairy. Located towards the south of Yarra Glen is this humble-looking farm that offers some of the best cheese in the area. You can sample the cheese and pick from an amazing variety of fresh dairy products to sample. This spot is often missed by packaged tours, but Headout has you covered for this.
Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art
TarraWarra Museum of Art is the first art museum in Australia that was supported by a significant private entity. The museum is located in the northeast of Melbourne. The collection of art in this museum is as impressive as the structure of the building. The collection of art fro this museum began in the 1950s. Currently, it exhibits works of the likes of Arthur Boyd, John Brack, Russell Drysdale, Rosalie Gascoigne, Dale Hickey, and many other Australian greats.
A scenic drive down the Black Spur
Black Spur Drive (or just Black Spur) is a 30 kilometer stretch of the Maroondah Highway between Healesville and Narbethong, which is famous for the twisty turns into the rainforest. The road is punctuated with tall mountain ash trees that are indigenous to this part of the country. A drive through the Black Spur is surely one of the most calming experiences Victoria has to offer.
An ecological trip down the Maroondah Reservoir Park
The Maroondah Reservoir Park is adjacent to the Maroondah Dam, which is the lifeline of the flora and fauna in the area. The land area of the park belongs to the aboriginal tribes and the native dwellers. Maroondah Reservoir Park has gardens with the species of vegetation that make up most of the Australian rainforests. It is a great picnic spot during summer and a wonderful place to click photographs for the rest of the year.
Best Wineries In and Around Yarra Valley
Yarra Valley is all about wining and winning, so here are our top picks for the best Yarra Valley Wineries you should aim at visiting.
This family establishment began its journey in 1928 in New South Wales. Decades later, the Yarra Valley vineyard was established and the rest is history. The cellar door at De Bortoli Wines is placed in the middle of the vineyard providing an ideal Yarra Valley backdrop to your tasting. They also have a wonderful collection of local and imported cheese in addition to the Italian restaurant upstairs.
Yering Station in itself is a tourist destination. When you visit Yering Station, you are also treated to a stunning architect-designed restaurant and bar, a legendary cellar door, art space, underground barrel room, local produce store, and monthly farmers market. Add to that the large open ground that would be at your disposal. You will be able to choose from an amazing variety of Chardonnay, Rosé, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines for your tasting.
This is a family-owned wine facility in the renowned cold climate wine country of Yarra Valley. handcrafted wines from the Rochford Wines are made from the freshest fruits sourced from the best vineyards. The facilities at the Rochford Wines consist of an amphitheater, a conservatory, and a lakeside deck, making it a perfect destination for concerts and family events.
Soumah is not only famous for its wine, but also the entire experience. It offers casual tastings just like most wineries, but if you are serious about wines, you should check out their premium wine rooms that come with six exclusive samples of reserve quality, limited production, and museum release wines. You can also head to their restaurant for a selection of north Italian dishes to go with your wine.
Domaine Chandon has a sophisticated air to itself. It was first established by Moet & Chandon in the 1980s. Domain and Chandon began with a specialization in Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Currently. The cellar door consists of a 72,000 bottle wall and a restaurant. You can take a self-guided tour through the winery, discovering the entire winemaking process.
If you're looking to visit most of the wineries in a day, an organized tour will help you make the best of your day.
Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour
Explore Yarra Valley on an exciting day tour which includes sampling local produce at Yarra Farm Fresh, wine-tasting at the iconic DeBortoli Wines and Yering Station, savor fresh cheeses at Yarra Valley Dairy, lunch at Rochford wines, and indulge in premium chocolates at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. This tour offers a perfect getaway to the Melbourne countryside.
Best Time To Visit Yarra Valley
The best time to visit Yarra Valley is during early Autumn, around the month of March. This is the harvest time for grapes, and therefore you will find the freshest wines of the season at this time. Towards the end of Spring, the weather is quite pleasant and it could also make for a good time to visit.
Tips For Your Yarra Valley Tour
- Opt for a packaged tour to avoid the hassle of public transport when traveling from Melbourne to Yarra Valley.
- Dress according to the weather for the best experience as this day trip could take anywhere between 9 to 12 hours.
- Drive through the Black Spur to witness the beauty of Southeast Australian rainforests on your way to Yarra Valley from Melbourne.
- Avoid the school holiday period if you are looking for a relatively less crowded wine tour at a reasonable budget.
- Yarra Valley is famous for hot air ballooning in summer, so make sure you don't give this quintessential experience a miss while you're here. Pre-booking is advisable for a good spot.
- Make sure you attend the Grape Grazing Festival that takes place during the harvest season.
Other Day Trips From Melbourne
Melbourne To Yarra Valley
Just 140 kms south-east of Melbourne dividing Western Port Bay and Bass Strait lies Phillip Island. The island is one of the most scenic natural hotspots in all of Australia and is known for its wildlife parks, nocturnal sight of penguins walking home, motorsport history and sandy, sun kissed beaches.The 2 hour journey from Melbourne to Phillip Islands packs enough time for exploring all that the island has to offer, making for an ideal day trip destination. Enjoy feeding kangaroos by hand, consume the breath-taking coastal scenery and surf on the tranquil beaches; Phillip Island is just the escape you need.
Read our detailed guide on taking a day trip from Melbourne to the Phillip Island
Recommended Experiences
• Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour
• Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour
Great Ocean Road Day Tour
Travel the 243-kilometre stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. The overwhelming joy of driving along the sea has given the road its rightful name. Visit the picturesque seaside village of Anglesea and Lorne, and the Cape Otway Lighthouse. Drive through the Great Otway National Park and watch birds and koalas in their natural habitat. Skydive over the Great Ocean Road if the thumping of your heart gives you a kick. Float through the sky for 5-7 minutes and appreciate the views of Melbourne, the surfing mecca Torquay, and the golden beaches of Great Ocean Road from your aerial vantage point. With so much fun and adventure packed in one tour, this is an experience you’ll never forget.
Read our detailed guide on taking a day trip from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road
Read More
• Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour
• Great Ocean Road Day Tour
