The Yarra Valley is a wine-growing region near Melbourne in Victoria, known for its cool-climate wines, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It sits about an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD via the Eastern Freeway (M3) and Maroondah Highway (B360), which runs through the centre of the valley. Many of the region’s more than 80 wineries are signposted and easily accessible from the highway. The Yarra Valley also offers local produce, art galleries, walking trails, and wildlife experiences, making it a popular day trip or weekend getaway.
Cities
[edit]
- 1 Healesville – its museum has a wonderful collection of early Modernist Australian paintings with sweeping views of the TarraWarra vineyards
- 2 Warburton
- 3 Yarra Glen
– home to some of Victoria's best-known wine - 4 Kinglake
Outer Melbourne
[edit]- 5 Belgrave – a quaint exurb of Melbourne on the foothills of the Sherbrooke Forest, including Tecoma
- 6 Boronia – an outer-eastern suburb of Melbourne
- 7 Hurstbridge – known for its annual Wattle Festival in August or September, and its large park with walking trails
- 8 Kallista – has a picturesque natural setting, many heritage and luxury houses and gardens, and country atmosphere
- 9 Sassafras – a beautiful town in the forest
Other destinations
[edit]- 1 Dandenong Ranges — these beautiful ranges offer world class gardens and picturesque villages
- 2 Yarra Ranges National Park – home to the incredible Black Spur Forest
Understand
[edit]The Yarra Valley is the region surrounding the Yarra River. The river originates approximately 240 km east of the Melbourne central business district and flows towards it and out into Port Phillip Bay. The name Yarra Valley is used in reference to the upper regions surrounding the Yarra River and generally does not encompass the lower regions including the city and suburban areas, where the topography flattens out, or the upper reaches which are in inaccessible bushland. Included in the Yarra Valley is the sub-region of the Upper Yarra Valley which encompasses the towns of the former Shire of Upper Yarra in the catchment area upstream of and including Woori Yallock.
The Yarra Valley is a popular day-trip and tourist area, featuring a range of natural features and agricultural produce, as well as the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail.
The Yarra Valley is host to a thriving wine-growing industry. The area's relatively cool climate makes it particularly suited to the production of high-quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]The easiest way to get in to the Yarra Valley from Melbourne is by using the M3 Eastlink and the B360 Maroondah Highway. The B360 runs right through the middle of the Yarra Valley for most of the accessible bits.
By train
[edit]Belgrave and Hurstbridge stations are the terminus of the namesake lines from the city. You can also take the train to Lilydale and continue by bicycle on the rail trail (see below).
To get further afield to Healesville, you can take a train from the centre of Melbourne to Lilydale, and then there is the regular bus service 685 (operated by McKenzies) which runs to Healesville Sanctuary via Coldstream, Yarra Glen, the TarraWarra Museum of Art, and Healesville town centre. Night bus 965 connects Healesville with Lilydale and operates on Friday nights and Saturday nights. Bus route 684 between Ringwood (in the Eastern suburbs), Lilydale and Alexandra stops in Healesville, however due to its infrequent operation may be less useful.
Although it is not directly connected to Melbourne, for public transport purposes Healesville is considered part of 'Zone Two', which was Zone Three until zone reorganization, the outer-eastern transport zone, and it only costs around $10 for an all-day zone 1 and 2 rail and bus ticket.
Get around
[edit]By cycling
[edit]The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail (40 km) is a great way to explore Yarra Valley.
- Ride Time Bikes offers bike rental from $30/day. Pickup from Lilydale (next to train station) or Yarra Junctions. Reservations required.
- Great cycling country all around the Yarra Valley; catch the train to Hurstbridge then climb up to Kinglake via St.Andrews (great Saturday market) then along the ridge to Toolangi; down to Healesville for lunch. Great food at Healesville; fine coffee at Yarra Glen.
- Or try the mountain bike routes through Smiths Gully (fine coffee and cake at the store) and Sugarloaf areas; or climb up past Mt Everard to Kinglake (steep in places) and then down into Dixons Creek and then onto Yarra Glen.
See
[edit]Healesville
[edit]- 1 Healesville Sanctuary, Glen Eadie Avenue (near Badger Creek Road, 4km south of Healesville town center; 10 minute drive from Healesville; bus 685 terminates at the sanctuary, stops in Healesville town centre and takes 10-15min), ☏ +61 3 5957 2800, 1300 966 784 (local rate). Daily 9AM–5PM. A world-renowned wildlife park. The sanctuary is run under the auspices of the Melbourne Zoo, and provides rehabilitation facilities for injured wildlife, breeding programs for several endangered species, and aims to educate the public about the unique and beautiful wildlife of Australia. Adult $53, child 4–15 $26.50 (children until the age of 3 and all children on weekends and public holidays get free tickets).
- 2 TarraWarra Museum of Art, 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road (bus 685 between Lilydale and Healesville stops at the museum), ☏ +61 3 5957 3100. Tu–Su 11AM–5PM, M closed. The museum has a wonderful collection of early Modernist Australian paintings and changing contemporary works in a location with sweeping views of the adjoining TarraWarra vineyards. There is also the TarraWarra Biennial exhibition featuring contemporary artists, which started in 2006 and takes place in 2025.
Kinglake
[edit]- 3 Bollygum Park, 40 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road. Adventure park with play equipment and a skate park. A picnic area at the park has barbeques, shelter, toilets, and baby change areas. On the second Sunday of each month from 10AM-2PM, there is a local sellers' market at the park.
- 4 Kinglake National Park. This park is located on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Masons Falls Picnic Area, at the end of Masons Falls Road, has barbecues, shelters, tables, and toilets. From the picnic area, you can take the 700-m walk to the waterfall lookout platform. The 500-m Lyrebird Circuit Walk, which also leaves from the picnic area, passes some of the oldest trees in the park and is designed for people with limited mobility. From the waterfall lookout, there's the 7.8-km Running Creek walk, which is more challenging and goes through gullies and new native bush. Free.
- 5 Wombelano Falls, Captains Creek Rd. A stunning hidden gem just north of Kinglake. It's not much of a walk to get here, and the walk is pretty easy.
Do
[edit]Things to do
- Hot air balloon flights
- Vineyard hopping
- Browse the Yarra Glen Sunday market, one of the local farmer's markets or the Healesville car boot markets behind the main street shops on the first Sunday of each month.
- Play golf at one of the quality courses
- Lilydale Airfield offers light plane sightseeing trips, flying experience, and flying lessons.
- Nearby Coldstream Airfield, operated by Yarra Valley Flight Training, offers similar services.
- Take a ride on the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway from Healesville
- Have a BBQ at Sugarloaf Reservoir
- Visit the world famous Healesville Sanctuary where you can see native Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, platypus, emus and more up close. It also includes scheduled activities with Rangers, a spirits of the sky bird show, wildlife experiences for extra costs and a wildlife hospital.
- Healesville Glass Blowing Studio, 416-420 Maroondah Hwy Healesville Victoria, ☏ +61 359622211. You can watch the glass blowers at work, take a lesson or buy some of their finished product.
- Blue Lotus Water Garden features an assortment of specially bred lilies, lotus flowers and other water plants. Includes a cafe, giftshop and nursery.
- Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery and Skywalk. Near Warburton, at the foot of Donna Buang, a short walk that loops through the rainforest and a skywalk allowing you to stand metres in the air, still only halfway up the mammoth trees.
- Puffing Billy Railway Ride this historic railway between various locations in the area. Tickets cost $59-77 for adults and $30-39 for children. Stops at Emerald, Belgrave, Lakeside and Gembrook.
- Lysterfield Lake
- Helicopter to Yarra Valley, ☏ +61 3 9063 3440. Fly by helicopter to the Yarra Valley. Helicopter tours include a private landing at your winery of choice, wine tasting and degustation lunch. Destinations include Balgownie Estate, Levantine Hill, Hubert Estate, Zonzo Estate and Meletos Restaurant.
- 1 Shepherds Track. Starting from the carpark at the Bowden Spur Mountain Bike area, Shepherds Track begins. It includes steep gradients and obstacles, and is only suitable for Downhill or Enduro bikes. Trail bikes are not permitted. Full body armour and helmets are essential. Free.
- 2 Yarra Valley Railway, 20 Healesville-Kinglake Road (bus 685 stops here), ☏ +61 3 5962 2490. A tourist railway operates from the town on weekends and public holidays. Adult $20, child $14 (ages 3-16). .
- 3 Maroondah Reservoir Park (about 5 km east of Healesville town centre, along Maroondah Highway).
- 4 Badger Weir.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- Great coffee and muffins/croissants (or real hamburgers) at Smiths Gully store.
- At the entrance to Healesville is Wattleseed Cafe a favourite in winter with open fire, excellent Eggs Benedict, hot chocolates and coffee.
- A must for a little alternate, healthy eating is the Bodhi Tree Cafe on the far side of the township, opposite the Giant Steps Winery. Usually on Friday and Saturday nights this eatery hosts live music with local artists. Worth the effort!
- For the best views over the Yarra Ranges and a great feed from the inside barbecue, take some time out at Riverstone Estate, the last open vineyard before Healesville. Dinosaur TBones and Buffalo Sausages with great accompaniments and washed down with a good Sav Blanc.
- Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander Winery, 336-364 Maroondah Hwy, ☏ +61 3 5962 6111. Bakery and restaurant within a wine-making operation. This is a very interesting boutique winery and cafe that serves a range of food including wood-fired pizza, cakes and bread all baked on site
- Monroe’s Burgers & Beers, 228 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, ☏ +61 3 5962 2033. A burger joint with a crazy selection of burgers and fries that are very satisfying.
- 1 Kinglake Fish & Chippery, 2/31 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road. Fish and chips shop.
- 2 Songbird Cafe & Larder, 10 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd, ☏ +61 3 5786 1275. W-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 9AM-5PM. A cafe in Kinglake with a rustic vibe. Indoor dining is an option but the indoor area is fairly small, not an issue since the outdoor dining areas are fairly pleasant on a nice day. Breakfast $8-25, lunch/dinner $10-29.50.
Drink
[edit]- Helen's Hill Winery: A family-owned vineyard producing fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You can sample their wines in a Cellar Door that attaches itself via massive glass panes overlooking the Barrel Room. The wines are excellent value and high quality. Onsite is also a superb restaurant with one of the best views over the entrance to the Yarra Valley. Kid-friendly, too.
- Oakridge Wines, 864 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream +61 39738 9900: beginning as a family company Oakridge makes wine from grapes grown on the rich, red, volcanic soils of the valley. A small restaurant with views across the estate serves meals adapted for the seasons and local produce.
- Tokar Estate: further along Maroondah Highway towards Healesville is this Spanish-inspired complex which features an excellent restaurant that regularly hosts Gourmet and Degustation events. The wine is fruit driven and the show piece Syrah Reserve and Aria are particularly delicious. Friendly and inviting, this is one of the better Valley destinations.
- Whispering Hills on the Warburton side of the valley has a quaint Cellar Door to a vineyard which produces a tantalising Reisling amongst its range of wines. Grown above the township of Seville, its rich soils are spring-fed and produce lively wines. Coffee shop attached and friendly folk, open on weekends and extended opening during holiday periods. A favourite during the area's ShedFest events.
- Hubert Estate: The latest venture from businessman Gerry Ryan. If you’ve been to Mitchelton Winery in the Nagambie, the Hubert Estate, reopened in 2022, is rather similar. It includes cellar door featuring St Hubert’s wines, wine store, Quarters restaurant serving modern-Australia cuisine, event space Harriet, an art gallery and they’re building an 80-room hotel and wellness centre.
- 1 Four Pillars Gin Distillery, 2A Lilydale Rd, toll-free: 1800 374 446.
- 2 Kinglake Pub, 28 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd, ☏ +61 3 5786 1230. Pub: Open from 11AM. Bistro: M-F 5:30-8:30PM, Sa Su noon-2:30PM, 5:30-8:30PM. Kinglake's pub has bar and bistro areas, as well as a TAB (gambling) area. The pub also offers accommodation in motel rooms, starting at $100 per couple.
Sleep
[edit]For those wanting to stay in the area overnight there are also plenty of guesthouses.
- 1 Barb's B&B, 23 Marna St, ☏ +61 427 596 251 (mobile).
- 2 Healesville Motor Inn, 45 Maroondah Hwy, ☏ +61 3 5962 5188. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM.
- 3 Terminus Hotel Motel, 23 Harker St, ☏ +61 3 5962 4011. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM.
- 4 Healesville Hotel, 256 Maroondah Hwy, ☏ +61 3 5962 4002. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. Informal Aussie hotel with bar and restaurant.
- Furmston House & Studio B & B.
- 5 Karma Kinglake, 14 Ward Street. Just outside of Kinglake town is this small B&B, which consists of 4 small cottages that they call "nests", an apartment, and a guest suite,
Stay safe
[edit]Crime in Yarra Valley is almost non-existent, but care should still be taken such as lock your car doors and make sure that valuables inside the car are not visible to outside. If you follow these precautions, everything should be fine and your day would be an enjoyable one.
Since you are likely to be on a wine tasting tour, it is advisable to be aware of how high your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) if you are driving. The legal limit is 0.05%. Police regularly set up check points around Yarra Valley to test the motorists' alcohol level (often referred by locals and police alike as the "Booze Bus" due to the use of a police bus to detain the drivers over the BAC limit), make sure you are not over the limit, or the police will issue you a large fine and ban you from driving in Australia.
When driving, be careful of wildlife during sunset, as this is the time that animals like kangaroos tend to be active during this period.
Go next
[edit]- The Gippsland region is your next primary destination