Get away from Melbourne for a memorable drive up the Yarra Valley. Visit historic wineries, award-winning restaurants and discover an exciting landscape filled with eclectic villages in this picturesque region.
Discover Yarra Valley’s wide variety of hiking trails ranging from easy strolls through towering trees to challenging treks that summit mountain peaks – each season offers something different here! Yarra Valley makes for an enjoyable year-round destination offering something different every season.
Nature Walks
Yarra Valley is an idyllic destination for nature enthusiasts, boasting beautiful state and national parks that feature an extensive selection of walks and trails for people of all ages and fitness levels – from short strolls along fern-lined creeks to day-long treks up Mount Donna Buang – there’s something special here for all visitors to experience.
Explore nature as you wander the beautiful forests of Yarra Valley and experience incredible views of the rolling hills and lush eucalypt trees. Listen out for kookaburras or spot lyrebirds at Healesville Sanctuary; hear kookaburras call out with wild bushwalking eco tours; or get close to local fauna on one.
Put on your boots and explore fern-lined paths leading to cascading waterfalls! The Dights Falls Loop Trail provides an easy, scenic 30-minute stroll, while Sherbrooke, Olinda and Cumberland waterfalls can offer longer adventures. In Yarra Bend Park there are some stunning cascades such as the Yarra River Cascades and Murrinindi Cascades for added beauty.
If you’re up for an adventurous bushwalk, head up Black Spur Drive from Healesville to Narbethong by car. Along this scenic car journey are several walking tracks and picnic areas along its route, providing excellent opportunities to view magnificent Mount Donna Buang lookout with incredible views over Westernport Bay and Port Phillip as well as discover Indigenous history through Rainforest Gallery walk suspended above Mountain Ash canopy.
The Yarra Ranges National Park forms an integral part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape and serves as the traditional land and waters of the Wurundjeri people. Parks Victoria recognizes this deep connection, acknowledging their ongoing role in protecting their Country.
Yarra Ranges National Park boasts some of the finest hiking in Victoria. The Yarra Ranges Loop Walk offers an intermediate trek, featuring steep inclines. Four Brothers Rocks trail offers medium-hard trail walking with rewarding views over mountains and farmland.
After an exhausting hike, reward yourself with a refreshing glass of wine from one of Yarra Valley’s numerous wineries – this region has been producing wine since 1838! Or enjoy an exquisite picnic from local producers at one of Yarra Valley’s scenic picnic spots like Mortimer Picnic Ground or Dolly Grey Park before hopping aboard Puffing Billy to discover another side of its countryside on an historic steam train ride!
Wildlife Walks
Yarra Valley is the ideal region for reconnecting with nature. Stroll through state forests and national parks to discover rainforest, ferny gullies, picturesque waterfalls, serene lakes and native animals on wildlife walks; experience scenic lookouts; spot native animals from your wildlife walk Yarra Valley Wildlife walk!
The region’s majestic mountain peaks soar from valley floors to the Yarra Ranges National Park, covering an expanse of 76,003 hectares and home to iconic Australian mountain ash trees as well as cool temperate rainforest and subalpine eucalypt forests. Parks Victoria manages this sanctuary for wildlife as a statutory authority.
Parks Victoria is taking steps to address its conservation challenges, including climate change and invasive species. Furthermore, Parks Victoria manages Yarra Ranges National Park so as to provide optimal habitat conditions for rare and endangered fauna; among its key priorities are restoring and maintaining threatened wildlife habitat, controlling pest plants, and eliminating weeds.
In the Yarra Ranges National Park are various hiking trails. One such recreational path is Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail – an enjoyable path which follows an old railway route and can be broken up into shorter segments or taken as one big journey depending on fitness levels and available time. Along this trail can be found beautiful mountain landscapes, vineyards and farmlands; perfect for hikers of all ages and abilities to experience.
Waterfalls are an iconic feature of the Yarra Ranges National Park. Don your hiking boots and stroll along fern-lined pathways for breathtaking waterfall views like Sherbrooke Falls or La La Falls near Warburton. Or take on more challenging hikes like Cumberland Walk which offers views of Cora Lynn and Cumberland Falls!
The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are just an hour’s drive east from Melbourne, providing an escape from city life with peaceful forest walks, charming hilltop towns, charismatic animals such as lyrebirds and wallabies, boutique cellar door offerings or delicious regional produce, cheese, chocolate.
Bird Watching Walks
The Yarra Valley is an idyllic birdwatcher’s dream: rolling hills, tall trees and waterfalls lined with fern-fringed waterfalls offer stunning vistas while providing habitat to an abundant diversity of bush birds. There’s a selection of walking tracks available that offers something suitable for every taste; take an easy stroll past tall trees and clear creeks or challenge yourself by hiking up challenging craggy peaks for an adrenalin rush! Pack up a gourmet picnic from local producers before relaxing while watching wildlife come alive around you!
You Yangs Regional Park is an ideal spot for bird-watchers looking for open woodland birds – Yellow Gum Woodland in particular stands out. Furthermore, Lake Serendip offers some interesting wetlands worth exploring as well. Just bear in mind that they may dry up during summer so be prepared to walk further if searching for them!
Yarra Ranges National Park is another fantastic place to search for forest birds. Offering several walking trails – with Badger Weir picnic area and Rainforest Gallery as the two most sought-after spots – as well as its fern-fringed Steavenson River which thunders over cascades of water here, creating a magical evening experience that cannot be beat!
There are various walks available in the Yarra Ranges that provide access to rainforest, heathland and eucalypt forests with various species. If you want to visit these wonderful regions of Victoria be sure to book in advance for tours or guided walks!
The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are only 1.5 hours north of Melbourne and offer numerous nature experiences. Late spring or early summer is the best time to visit, when kangaroos and koalas can more easily be spotted among vibrant blooms of flowers, while family-friendly tours provide fun for all ages. Otherwise, romantic getaways at luxurious retreats like Beechmont Garden Retreat or Cottage in the Forest Olinda may provide romantic retreats; alternatively escape on scenic train ride such as Puffing Billy for unforgettable journey.
Educational Walks
The Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges National Park is an idyllic destination for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy strolling through majestic forests fragrant with native flora, discovering secret waterfalls, gazing up at misty mountain peaks with incredible views, tasting local cuisine at cellar doors or restaurants or finding inspiration in galleries and gardens dotted across its valley floor. Foodies will find something here too: it has hundreds of vineyards scattered across its valley floor as well as hundreds of vineyards offering amazing vineyard views from every direction! This region also serves foodies who love wine tasting with hundreds of vineyards scattered across its valley floor! Foodies love wine lovers will delight as there are hundreds of vineyards scattered across its valley floor offering delicious local dishes from cellar doors through restaurants to galleries and gardens that inspire creativity – foodies will find paradise here too!
Yarra Valley & Dandenong National Park offers many walks and trails suitable for people of all fitness levels, with terrain ranging from flat grasslands to rolling hills with clear creeks, waterfalls, and lush forests. Stroll leisurely along easy paths passing tall trees, clear creeks and waterfalls before challenging yourself by hiking up rugged peaks or taking on more demanding bushwalks to test your endurance.
The Yarra Ranges boast some of Victoria’s premier wineries. Established vineyards can be found alongside smaller boutique labels in stunning settings like Marysville, Healesville and Nillumbik. Sample the finest cool climate wines at local cellar doors or book a guided tour for an immersive wine tasting experience!
Discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Yarra Valley at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum in Lilydale through exhibitions and immersive experiences at this institution. Marvel at 13,000 artifacts from its rich history or explore interactive displays at its free children’s gallery – there’s sure to be something to thrill everyone at the museum!
There’s plenty to enjoy outdoors, from free walking trails and parks to keep everyone active. Grab a breath of fresh air on a one-and-a-half hour journey past manna gum, mountain ash trees, ferns and other trees to Cora Lynn Falls in Yarra Ranges National Park for an 3.6km, one-and-a-half hour trek surrounded by majestic manna gum trees, mountain ash groves and lush foliage to Cora Lynn Falls in Yarra Ranges National Park.
Family-friendly outing options abound: take your kids splashing in the water at Seville Water Play, a free playground featuring run-through sprinklers and shallow pools of water, while Railway Station Park allows their imaginations to run wild with themed playground games in front of the heritage Healesville train station, like station controllers and train drivers! Or visit Yarra Valley Railway for vintage steam or diesel trains that run between Healesville and Tunnel Hill to experience the sights in an economical way!