The Yarra Valley is an idyllic region of natural attractions and wine tasting. While you can visit any time of year, spring and autumn provide ideal conditions with warm temperatures and stunning scenery.
Honor the grape by visiting winemaking institutions, discovering exciting gems on vineyard tours or taking advantage of vineyard restaurants’ meals paired with wines for an exquisite dining experience.
Spring is the perfect time to explore the vineyards
Wine enthusiasts will find themselves spoilt for choice in the Yarra Valley, where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes comprise approximately 25% of wines produced here. Enjoy tastings at one of many winery cellar doors dotted across its landscape as well as boutique producers that produce wines here.
Yarra Valley is also famous for its culinary offerings and boasts numerous outstanding wine estate eateries and hatted restaurants to choose from. Enjoy fresh seafood, artisan cheeses and organic fruit while sampling some fine regional wines during wine tasting events.
Take your picnic to the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens for an idyllic afternoon outing, boasting 40-hectares of vibrant blooms such as 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas and 250,000 daffodils in peak season! Admire sculptural landscape views from hilltop lookout points or explore one of their tours for a great scenic day trip!
Yarra Valley boasts a diverse selection of walking and hiking trails that are suitable for families. Toolangi State Forest is one of the best spots to discover an abundant ecosystem, featuring over 350 kilometers of hiking tracks weaving their way through eucalypt forests and myrtle trees – as well as one challenging route, winding its way through mountain ash trees, myrtles and tree ferns before reaching its summit on Mount Donna Buang Track.
Horse riding is another popular activity in the Yarra Valley, with several experienced stables providing lessons to beginners to more experienced riders. Chum Creek Horseriding and Huts offers three-day and two-night horseback adventures that include traditional Australian campfire meals and overnight stays in huts.
For an unforgettable treat, visit Yarra Valley Chocolaterie for an assortment of milk, dark and white chocolates as well as ice cream, honey, nougat and fresh fruit fudge. Book a one-hour chocolate tasting experience or learn how to make your own in-store fudge! Or why not fly above it all on a hot air balloon ride that provides spectacular views of mountains, farmland and forests below?
The Four Brothers Rocks are at their best
Bunyip State Park’s Four Brothers Rocks are an incredible sight – an awe-inspiring granite boulder formation with fascinating geological history that showcases stunning geological features and hiking to their summit offers breathtaking vistas. While spring and autumn are great times to visit; both offer pleasant weather while their foliage reaches its full potential.
The Yarra Valley is famed for its world-class wines, and spring is the ideal time to experience them first-hand. Chardonnay lovers will delight in its elegant, cool climate expressions that feature crisp citrus notes and subtle oak undertones; Pinot Noir and Shiraz lovers won’t be able to resist its exquisite earthy aromas and silky tannins.
Visit Domaine Chandon, established by French Champagne house Moet & Chandon to combine traditional winemaking techniques with the unique terroir of Yarra Valley’s wine region to produce exceptional sparkling wines. Their cellar door is open daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm for tastings, guided tours, and delicious dishes featuring locally produced products.
Yarra Valley is home to numerous orchards, flower farms and fruit groves, offering ample opportunity for leisurely walks through 35 hectares of cherry trees at Cherry Hill Orchards in Wandin East for an elegant picnic, while Blue Hills Berries and Cherries offers delectable fruits set against an enticing display of pink blossom petals for two brief weeks in late August or September – perfect for enjoying its fruits.
Take flight in a hot air balloon for an unforgettable experience as you soar above the breathtaking vineyards and mountain peaks of Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges in an unforgettable hot air balloon flight! It is sure to impress on romantic getaways or special events alike, making a truly memorable and incredible impression.
Discover Yarra Valley’s lush wilderness on foot or bicycle, then savor gourmet cuisine in one of its award-winning restaurants or cafes. Delight in Yarra Valley’s exquisite artisan cheeses made using locally sourced cow and goat’s milk cheeses from Puffing Billy; an authentic steam train which winds its way through mountains and forests in Yarra Ranges; spot native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary while taking a guided tour with an experienced guide; indulge in gourmet dining; sample exquisite artisan cheeses from Puffing Billy; enjoy exquisite local cheeses when taking Puffing Billy; take an authentic steam train ride from Puffing Billy which winds its way along its tracks to travel across mountains and forests of the Yarra Ranges or hop aboard Puffing Billy, an authentic steam train with magnificent birds, reptiles amphibians on guided tours from any point along its tracks; discover divine dining experiences with award-winning restaurants or cafes, award-winning eateries or cafes, offering gourmet dining experience like no other place does the Yarra Valley’s exquisite cheesemakers produce their exquisite handcrafted locally-crafted from locally-sourced cow milk/goat’s milk for goat’s milk cheese production at Puffing Billy authentic steam train or take scenic ride aboard Puffing Billy ride through mountains forests with stunning scenic steam train ride through mountains forests of Puffing Billy authentic steam train route through mountains forest of Puffing Billy to spot native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary where birds, reptiles amphibians on guided tour to knowledgeable guides with knowledgeable guide!
The Yarra Valley Botanic Gardens are at their best
Yarra Valley may be known for its vineyards, cellar doors and restaurants but also boasts stunning gardens that deserve equal recognition. Spend an afternoon at the Yarra Valley Botanic Garden to take in its lush greenery, flowering trees and mesmerising landscapes spanning three hectares and eight display areas including edible gardens, French gardens with arches wisteria arches and ornamental parterres that make an experience for all five senses truly memorable.
At the Yarra Valley Botanic Gardens during springtime, visitors can expect a spectacular array of vibrant floral displays. The gardens boast cherry trees, azaleas and camellias as well as rhododendrons and daffodils in full bloom – creating an eye-catching display perfect for romantic strolls or family picnics!
Make sure you bring your camera, as Melbourne’s Yarra Valley Botanic Garden provides some of the most Instagrammable photo spots in Australia. One such Instagrammable spot is its blue lotus water garden, featuring thousands of exotic blooms blooming exclusively across 40 ponds during summer and autumn – an absolute must-see for horticulture enthusiasts as this is only place in Australia where such rare specimens can be seen!
Yarra Valley is home to some breathtaking cherry blossom displays. Each September, Cherry Hill Orchards holds their Cherry Blossom Festival; for something different try Blue Hills Berries and Cherries nearby where cherry picking adventures await!
Mamma loves packing up her picnic and strolling the tree-lined pathways at Maroondah Reservoir Park in Healesville. This parkland reserve features numerous waterfalls; Sherbrooke Falls can be discovered via an easy scenic loop trail while La La Falls are closeby in Warburton.
The Yarra Valley is an idyllic destination located less than an hour from Melbourne, filled with wineries and eateries. For an authentic Yarra Valley experience, one can stay at one of many luxurious country estates such as Chateau Yering – this historic homestead features 32 suites that exude luxury, as well as breathtaking garden views!
The Cherry Blossom Festival is at its best
The Yarra Valley is a breathtaking place to visit year round, but certain times of the year shine more brightly than others. Springtime brings with it an explosion of floral beauty. Tesselaar Gardens offer spectacular tulips and freesias while National Rhododendron Gardens bloom with vibrant rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and camellias that truly take your breath away. Music fans won’t want to miss Healesville Music Festival and Rochford Winery A Day on the Green festival as well as Cuban Jazz Festivals hosted in Healesville and Healesville respectively.
Winter in Yarra Valley is also an amazing time of year, featuring stunning burnt orange vineyards and forests with misty mornings and cool temperatures; making for perfect walking, cycling or driving weather conditions. Additionally, adventurous visitors should know this season is ideal for conquering Mt Donna Buang or Lake Mountain treks!
One of the best experiences available to visitors of Yarra Valley is taking a relaxing and scenic journey on board the Yarra Valley Railway, an historic train that travels along a section of Healesville-Lilydale Line. A ride aboard this heritage train provides the ideal way to appreciate this region’s history and scenery – perfect for family trips! Not only can it show them around, but it provides quality time together too.
Kinglake Forest Adventures offer some of the most thrilling activities in Yarra Valley. Treetop climbs for both adults and kids provide an engaging way to explore forest canopy from above while taking in stunning views of its scenic surroundings.
Experience something truly unforgettable when visiting Yarra Valley: take a hot air balloon ride. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will transport you above its picturesque vineyards and rolling hills for an experience you won’t soon forget! Whether celebrating a special event, or simply creating memories for lifelong memories; this will undoubtedly be one you won’t soon forget.