Yarra Valley offers more than vineyards and gardens: its national parks, lush forests and magnificent mountain ranges add another dimension. Experience Australia’s wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary or traverse its countryside on horseback or mountain bike; for something extra thrilling take a thrilling hot air balloon ride over this scenic region.
Discover the top trails in Yarra Valley Parklands using hand-curated trail maps and experiences shared by fellow hikers, campers and nature lovers just like yourself.
Hike
Wander through the national parks and state forests of Yarra Valley’s national parks and state forests and be mesmerised by enchanting mountain ash trees, tree ferns, rugged bushland, pristine lakes, serene waterfalls, mountain biking paths, horseback trails or car tracks to discover all sorts of Australian wildlife such as koalas and platypus in their natural environment.
Yarra Ranges National Park boasts lush Mountain Ash forests and scenic spots like Steavenson Falls. Enjoy a hike to Yering Gorge for incredible views and wildlife spotting, or head to Donnellys Weir Picnic Area for an enjoyable lunch with friends. Additionally, embark on the Sugarloaf Reservoir Trail for an engaging experience spotting native fauna while taking in panoramic Yarra Valley landscape views!
The Yarra Ranges provide the ideal escape from urban life for nature enthusiasts looking for an idyllic retreat. Discover towering mountains, pristine rivers and rolling hills all within a secluded natural landscape surrounded by verdant villages. Taste world-class wines at cellar doors in Marysville, Healesville and Yarra Glen before dining on freshly produced wines at vineyard restaurants or simply exploring by hiking between cellar doors – perhaps meeting some Aussie wildlife along the way at Healesville Sanctuary!
This trail provides the ideal day trip for wine enthusiasts and nature enthusiasts. Offering scenic and easy walking, its track weaves through tall Mountain Ash trees and lush riverside vegetation – providing wonderful lookout points – with its highlight being an incredible view of Echo Tunnel.
On this hike, you’ll also pass by the site of Yarra Valley Power Station, constructed in 1970 by Melbourne Water to supplement their city’s water supply. Closed due to environmental concerns in 2009, today it remains popular as an ideal spot for picnicking and exploring its surrounds.
Discover the beauty of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges’ many waterfalls by strapping on your boots and exploring. Sherbrooke Falls on the loop trail or La La Falls near Warburton are two outstanding waterfalls worth seeing, while Cora Lynn and Cumberland trails offer cascading waterfalls and scenic lookouts. Don’t miss visiting Cora Lynn and Cumberland trails either, leading to cascading waterfalls with scenic lookouts aplenty! You may also spot native wildlife such as kangaroos or wallabies roaming golf courses while looking out for tell-tale droppings which indicate their presence!
Skydive
Delight in the Yarra Valley’s unique blend of national parks, mountain ranges and woodlands while walking or cycling between cellar doors or vineyard restaurants; admiring Australia’s wildlife while hearing kookaburras at Dandenong Ranges National Park; witness native birds at Healesville Sanctuary or discover how artists from near and far have captured its scenery at TarraWarra Museum of Art.
Healesville, Yarra Glen and Warburton are nestled amidst rolling hills covered with vines, lush natural valleys and stunning mountain backdrops – an idyllic combination for outdoor exploration on foot or bicycle. Take in its beauty via Black Spur Drive; an 8km road cutting through the heart of the Yarra Valley that passes along its edge. Visit native tall-timber forests at Yarra Ranges National Park; marvel at Mount Donna Buang or Donnelly’s Weir for spectacular panoramas; either explore on foot or ride your bicycle!
From above, enjoy breathtaking views of Yarra Valley’s intricate blend of vineyards, farmland and forest during a sunrise hot air balloon flight. Depending on the season, you may spot wildlife such as kangaroos, Tasmanian devils and lyrebirds in their natural environments. Once back on earth, enjoy a Champagne breakfast featuring freshly picked produce at Balgownie Estate Vineyard before returning home!
Visit the Yarra Valley’s many wineries and learn how to pair your glass of pinot noir with locally harvested produce at one of its vineyard restaurants. Take time out for history at cellar doors such as Rochford Wines, Oakridge Wines, Giant Steps and Innocent Bystander to honor its rich legacy.
Sample the range of Yarra Valley wines, from chardonnay to shiraz, at cellar door tasting rooms or winery restaurants. Or book an indulgent tour that includes wine tasting combined with an exclusive gourmet meal prepared by an award-winning chef.
Experience the rich culture of food and arts of Yarra Valley’s boutique B&Bs, self-contained cottages, winery retreats and five-star hotels by spending some time here. Stay for at least one or two nights for an immersive experience into its famed landscapes and atmosphere; spend your days wandering quaint shops or antique emporiums in Olinda and Healesville townships before checking into one of its five-star hotels!
Visit Gardens
The Yarra Valley is a spectacular blend of national parks, mountain ranges, forests and gardens – featuring native Australian wildlife in Healesville Sanctuary as well as uncharted terrain you can traverse on foot or bike or even soar over in hot air balloons! Experience its serenity by experiencing one of its national parks or taking advantage of hot air balloon rides over its vast terrain.
Cool-climate gardens of the valley’s cool-climate gardens are an explosion of colour year-round, but spring is the ideal season for wildflowers and vibrant foliage to emerge. At TarraWarra Museum of Art you’ll be treated to masterpieces by world-renowned artists including Brett Whiteley and Fred Williams.
At Healesville Sanctuary, visitors can get up close with koalas, kangaroos and other indigenous animals who thrive in habitats designed to resemble their natural environments. Or take a stroll through the forest and spot native birdlife or listen to Wurrundjeri Elder Murrundindi share cultural tales about this land.
You’ll discover an abundance of hiking trails in Victoria’s Yarra Ranges National Park – one of Victoria’s premier sites for biodiversity. Take Black Spur Drive for stunning valley vistas or hike up Lake Mountain for Lake Mountain’s towering Mountain Ash forest and its towers of pine needles.
Yarra Ranges are home to several waterfalls, such as Lilydale Falls. Here, visitors can relax under misty cliffs or stroll along wooden boardwalks that lead alongside cascading waters.
Wineries and breweries dot the Yarra Valley like pearls on a string, with many cellar doors providing behind-the-scenes tours. Enjoy tasting organic, biodynamic and biodynamic bubbles and wines at over 70 wineries scattered throughout Yarra Valley; some boast beautiful panoramic vistas of rolling vineyard grounds or forested mountains such as Dandenong Ranges.
Take a ride aboard Australia’s best preserved steam train at Healesville and experience Puffing Billy as it travels through dense forest, past towering mountain ash trees and stops at historic railway stations. Additionally, visit TarraWarra Museum of Art which showcases work by prominent Australian artists.
Yarra Valley villages offer an abundance of antique emporiums and specialty stores for you to explore, such as Olinda Market or one of its cafes or restaurants, where long lunches featuring regional produce paired with regional wines await you.
Go Wine Tasting
The Yarra Valley is well-renowned for its world-class wines, so visitors are invited to explore vineyards to sample these premium wines while taking in stunning vistas prepared with locally produced foods. Many wineries provide dining areas offering spectacular views across rolling hills of vineyards framed by green mountains reminiscent of Dandenong Ranges.
Experience wine tasting and wildlife encounters on the Yarra Valley Wildlife & Wine Tour from Melbourne. Departing from select hotels and central meeting points across Melbourne, this full-day adventure combines seeing Australia’s unique wildlife with tasting its famed wines of the Yarra Valley. Highlights of this full-day journey include Healesville Sanctuary with its wildlife habitats as well as Yering Station or De Bortoli Winery wine tasting experiences.
Healesville Sanctuary is home to iconic Australian wildlife such as koalas and kangaroos, providing visitors with an opportunity to spot them along peaceful tracks or during Spirits of the Sky bird presentations. Learn about Wurrundjeri Aboriginal people of this area through historical exhibits in Healesville Sanctuary before heading over to Rainforest Gallery where a walkway leads visitors past mountain ash, myrtle trees, ferns and mosses into this tropical environment.
After exploring wildlife and nature reserves, stop into one of Yarra Valley’s winery restaurants for an indulgent lunch and sample top grape varieties like chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz while dining on delicious meals designed to complement their flavors and aromas.
The Yarra Valley’s cozy atmosphere, delicious wines, and gourmet cuisine make it the ideal destination for romantic getaways or group travel with friends. Additionally, it is also a favorite spot to celebrate special events such as birthdays and anniversaries.
Travel to Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges between late spring and early summer is optimal, when both locals and tourists can take advantage of warm temperatures, festivals, and events in this vibrant region.