Yarra Valley is known for its world-class vineyards, but also offers visitors many natural and cultural experiences. Explore Mountain Ash forests and breathtaking lookouts or encounter native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary.
Discover Yarra Valley’s vibrant artisanal scene and indulge in wine tasting at several boutique cellar doors, or take a hot air balloon ride over its breathtaking beauty from above!
The Yarra Ranges National Park
The Yarra Ranges National Park is an outstanding wilderness area located between Healesville and Warburton, ideal for breathtaking forest walks, creek-side picnics, scenic drives, as well as stunning waterfalls and wildlife encounters. Furthermore, this amazing outdoor space hosts various community events throughout the year.
Parkland is a favorite spot for hiking enthusiasts, offering numerous trails that cater to every level of fitness and experience. Mt St Leonard stands out as an iconic hike, offering breathtaking views of Melbourne from its summit. Additionally, Mt Donna Buang hike provides a challenging day walk that requires moderate levels of fitness.
Climate change is having an enormous effect on Australia’s ecosystems, including Yarra Ranges National Park. Average temperatures have increased and rainfall has decreased significantly, leading to less water flowing down the Yarra River and into Melbourne water supplies, as well as negatively impacting park flora and fauna.
Maintaining the integrity of Yarra Ranges National Park requires keeping human activity to a minimum in the area, monitoring changing conditions in the park and responding accordingly.
Yarra Ranges National Park employs various conservation initiatives to preserve its ecosystem, such as restricting access to its Designated Water Supply Catchment Area (DWSCA) and banning wildlife feeding practices. These policies ensure that its ecosystem remains healthy, free from human influences that could disrupt it.
Not only is protecting the Yarra Ranges National Park important, but maintaining its cultural significance is equally so. Since over 40,000 years, Kulin Nation Country has existed here; local Aboriginal community are working towards increasing recognition, respect and support of their heritage. There are various ways you can learn more about its rich history and culture at Yarra Ranges National Park; guided tours or visiting local sites are both great options to do this.
The Four Brothers Rocks
Yarra Valley has always been an important gathering spot for residents living nearby, providing opportunities to come together for community events and festivals, enjoy incredible food and wine offerings and admire stunning natural beauty.
Birrarung to its Indigenous Wurundjeri people, Melbourne’s Yarra River is the lifeblood of our city, providing 70% of our piped water supply and hosting vineyards. However, it’s under threat with litter polluting it as urban waste accumulates; wondrous wetlands disappearing as native plants are cleared away to make way for commercial developments; and litter polluters polluting further upstream from where we stand today.
As such, the state government has listed the Yarra as an ‘At Risk’ class river and faces major threats to its health. Locals have worked tirelessly to safeguard this precious natural asset; and today Yarra Valley has become a hot spot for environmental and heritage tourism worldwide.
The Yarra River and Dandenong Ranges offer walking trails leading to cascading waterfalls. For an easy stroll along a loop trail, visit Sherbrooke Falls; for something more challenging, hike Cumberland Walk.
Yarra Valley is known for its abundance of specialty producers – cheesemakers, chocolatiers and even breweries! High tea experiences are popular here; with many exquisite loose leaf tea options and delectable pastries to enjoy! For something different try one of Australia’s countless microbreweries or distilleries offering craft brews.
Wine is best enjoyed when experienced alongside food, and the Yarra Valley’s culinary scene provides the ideal pairings. Every dish complements wines perfectly – creating an experience that will have your tastebuds singing “That’s Amore!”
Visit iconic wineries such as De Bortoli and Domaine Chandon, or book a vineyard tour to gain more knowledge about their famed varietals. With everything from crisp Sauvignon Blancs to robust Pinot Noirs available for tasting at both De Bortoli and Domaine Chandon wineries – and don’t forget to book in advance to avoid disappointment during busy seasons!
Wildlife Encounters
The Yarra Valley boasts an abundance of incredible natural and cultural attractions that promise an enriching visit. From exquisite wine, food, and breathtaking landscapes – these attractions will leave visitors longing for more!
Yarra Valley is best-known for its wine production, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines that have earned international renown. The cool climate and topographical conditions create the ideal environment for cultivating these varieties of grape varietals; many vineyards provide tours so visitors can sample these products and learn about its long history of making wine in this area. Furthermore, popular attractions like Yarra Valley Farmers Market give visitors an opportunity to meet passionate producers.
Nature enthusiasts will delight in exploring Australia’s native animals at national parks and zoological gardens across Melbourne’s region. Visit Yarra Ranges or Dandenong Ranges to see swamp wallabies, possums, wombats, and lyrebirds up close; or head to Healesville Sanctuary to spot kangaroos, koalas, and echidnas up close!
Art lovers will delight in exploring intimate galleries and engaging with local artists. Additionally, various exhibitions showcase indigenous and colonial heritage as well as celebrate music, literature and performing arts.
The Yarra Valley is renowned for fine dining and exquisite wines, featuring restaurants that source hyperlocal and sustainable ingredients for their cuisine and wine tasting experiences. OAKRIDGES Winery stands out as a family-owned winery serving award-winning wines and dishes using locally sourced produce; its restaurant has become known for hyperlocal cuisine and tasting sessions; similarly TarraWarra Wines estate boasts delicious pinot noir and chardonnay varieties alongside an esteemed restaurant.
Hot air balloon rides offer an idyllic way to discover the gorgeous Yarra Valley at sunrise, providing guests with breathtaking scenery while experiencing its serenity and peaceful ambience.
The Yarra Valley Wildlife & Wine Day Tour from Melbourne with Healesville Sanctuary is an ideal solution for travelers searching for an experience combining nature with indulgence. Travelers have raved about its combination of in-depth experiences and personalized attention during their tour, with Healesville Sanctuary tour guides particularly praised for their wealth of knowledge and friendly service.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Yarra Valley is Victoria’s favorite winery region and an unmissable opportunity for adventure seekers of all kinds. Take a balloon ride over this picturesque landscape and marvel at picture postcard views of vineyards and rolling hills – it will provide both tranquility and thrills that are sure to enchant.
Beginning your adventure by meeting up with your pilot an hour prior to sunrise at the launch site. Help prepare and board the hot air balloon before floating off gently into the sky – taking photos along the way as the sun rises over Yarra Valley!
Once in the air, let the breeze take you on an unforgettable flight over grapevine corridors and the Yarra River as you discover breathtaking views of mountains, rolling hills, kangaroos hopping amongst the countryside and more. After about an hour’s flight time has elapsed, your balloon will land back in Yarra Valley where your crew awaits with champagne breakfast and commemorative flight certificate for an unforgettable adventure!
Hot air balloon flights offer the ultimate experience to make you feel truly alive! Choose to add Melbourne CBD transfers and a delicious bubbly breakfast after your adventure to complete this once-in-a-lifetime escapade.
To book your Yarra Valley ballooning experience, simply head to Adrenaline and select your experience of choice before entering your details and submitting. Within 48 hours you should receive confirmation that your booking has been successfully made; should any cancellation or rescheduling become necessary up to seven days in advance of its planned date, your tour can also be changed accordingly.
Don’t fret if you can’t manage to experience your desired balloon ride – the Yarra Valley offers many amazing experiences, from helicopter joy rides between wineries to tasting sessions in cellar doors – that can add extra memories and activities to your bucket list during your time spent exploring this stunning area of Australia.