The Yarra Valley is known for its breathtaking wineries and vineyards producing award-winning chardonnay and pinot noir wines, but there’s much more than meets the eye here.
No matter if it be taking to the skies with Global Ballooning or exploring beautiful gardens and sanctuaries, this region promises plenty of Instagrammable moments.
Spring
The Yarra Valley comes alive in spring with vibrant colours and lush greenery. Temperatures start warming up, making this the ideal time for winery lunches or strolls through vineyards.
The region is famous for its world-class wines, making it an ideal location to experience local gastronomy just a short drive from Melbourne. A day tour from Melbourne provides the ideal opportunity to discover this culinary oasis while discovering numerous restaurants and cellar doors along the way.
Sip bubbly at a vineyard or dine on gourmet dishes such as duck breast with truffle mash and roasted baby beetroot at Rochford Wines – home of an impressive dining experience in an historic, heritage-listed building with Wonka-esque chocolaterie offering exquisite handmade creations!
Within driving distance of Healesville is the Yarra Ranges National Park. Take a stroll on its paved walkways and observe native plants and wildlife in their natural environments, such as kangaroos, koalas, birds and more! Or head for one of its nearby waterfalls for a refreshing dip.
At Healesville Forest Reserve there is plenty to keep visitors busy. Enjoy a scenic train ride on Puffing Billy or browse one of many art galleries located throughout Healesville and surrounds. Yarra Valley, also known as Victoria’s ‘food bowl”, boasts fresh produce in full bloom – late winter/early spring is a fantastic time to taste their juicy peaches, plump strawberries and sweet stonefruits; otherwise U-pick destinations and farmgates provide readymade fresh seasonal products from which visitors can select their produce!
The spring equinox is the best time of year to experience the Southern Lights and kickoff hiking season in Tasmania, where you can walk through coastal heaths blooming with flowers while also seeing migrating whales out at sea.
Springtime is also an excellent time to visit Melbourne and Dandenong Ranges as their natural beauty shines through, and is also ideal for exploring Darwin, Kakadu National Park, and the Northern Territory since this marks the end of dry season.
Summer
Summer in the Yarra Valley is one of the best times to visit as its grapes, plums, berries and other fruits ripen and there are numerous U-Pick destinations and farmgates where you can collect delicious treats to take home with you.
A visit to Yarra Ranges is also an ideal opportunity to get outside and stretch your legs, with bike trails winding through vineyards as well as hiking/walking tracks for exploration. From picturesque walks along dam walls at Maroondah Reservoir Park or more strenuous hikes up Mount Donna Buang, Yarra Ranges has something for every adventurer!
Yarra Valley is famous for its wine, so don’t leave without tasting some of its most celebrated varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being two popular examples; there are also lesser-known wines worth discovering! Book a winery tour to experience all that the region has to offer – many tours include cheese, chocolate or olive oil tasting sessions!
Healesville offers many delightful dining options; be sure to stop by Innocent Bystander for casual cuisine and drinks with an upbeat ambience, or head for Chateau Yering Hotel for fine-dining degustations experience.
Mount Donna Buang Track offers more experienced hikers a challenging but rewarding trek, offering breathtaking views of the Yarra River, mountain ash forests and towering tree ferns – it’s also an ideal place for enjoying some quiet time away from crowds.
For cheese lovers, the Yarra Valley Dairy should be on your itinerary. With its extensive range of cheeses on offer and delightful cafe, the Dairy offers something special. Plus you can even pair a cheese board with wine at their fabulous cafe!
Warburton Rail Trail and Lal Lal Falls are two excellent hiking trails in Yarra Valley, while for something more challenging why not give kayaking on Grade 2-3 rapids at upper Yarra a try?
Autumn
Yarra Valley is well-known for its stunning winery landscapes; but as autumn sets in, these vineyards become an enchanting canvas of vibrant copper, gold and amber hues. Take a stroll amongst the vines to take advantage of this scenic and serene region or cozy up by a fireplace as you watch the sun slowly set below the horizon – either way the experience won’t disappoint.
Now is an ideal time for outdoor picnics and adventures, and many wineries provide delicious lunch menus featuring local gourmet produce and hearty wines that pair beautifully. Coombe Yarra Valley is an especially great spot where guests can dine while overlooking their vineyard and taste some single vineyard wines from Coombe Estate’s single vineyard wines or take part in Four Pillars Gin tasting experience at Healesville to learn about its process whilst taking advantage of crisp autumn air!
As the leaves turn golden yellow, fall is also an excellent time to explore regional bush. The Yarra Ranges boast numerous hiking tracks and trails where you can admire stunning vistas of rolling hills, serene forests, and tranquil waterways. One popular trail in Olinda called Yarra Valley Discovery Walk offers dog-friendly outdoor fun that’s great for family outings or group excursions.
As temperatures cool off in Melbourne and Dandenong Ranges, stunning gardens await your exploration in Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Visit The Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne for an elegant oasis with more than 8,500 plant species, serene lakes, expansive lawns and plenty of space to roam freely and take Instagram-worthy photographs; or travel a short distance further to Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda for an explosion of color with giant Waratah sculpture, waterfall and billabong!
Art enthusiasts will appreciate Hubert Estate and Tarra Warra galleries which feature contemporary Australian artists. Or take part in some retail therapy at one of Yarra Valley boutiques to find that perfect souvenir or present for someone special – the possibilities at this autumn destination are truly endless! No matter if it is just two of you traveling together or an adventure for one – there is so much to see and do at Yarra Valley this autumn.
Winter
The Yarra Valley is an unforgettable year-round destination, but during winter its vineyards become even more stunning. Lush green vines turn golden in the cold weather, creating a stunning contrast against clear blue skies. Misty mornings and low-hanging clouds add a magical air that makes photography easy.
Winter is also an ideal time to visit Yarra Valley wineries, as they tend to be less crowded than during the peak summer season. Enjoy an intimate and personalized experience, talking directly with winemakers about their latest releases while tasting comforting foods paired with wine at many cellar doors – you are guaranteed a full and fulfilling trip!
Some Yarra Valley wineries provide cozy indoor spaces with crackling fires where you can sit beside and sip your favourite drop alongside a bowl of soup or hearty roast. Rochford Wines is one such winery, where they offer four gourmet lunch options that come with one glass of wine each. And if you happen to visit during festive season they might even put on special winter events just for you!
Other winter activities in Yarra Valley include exploring misty forests, visiting charming gardens where vibrant winter blooms add splashes of colour, or taking a ride on Puffing Billy steam train. Furthermore, Healesville Sanctuary hosts the Australian Wildlife Centre where visitors can learn about native animal care as they witness native animals being treated in its hospital.
Healesville Sanctuary boasts an impressive collection of dinosaur models and interactive exhibits that will keep children of all ages amused for hours! And those seeking some retail therapy will find charming towns and villages of the Yarra Valley filled with charming boutique shops selling quality local products as well as carefully-selected goods from further afield.