Yarra Valley Guide

A place of stunning natural beauty, Yarra Valley is widely recognised as one of Australia’s top wine producing regions. Due to the wide range of conditions within the region, many different styles of wine are produced there – and to a top notch standard too. Not only is the region famed for its wine production, it also boasts outstanding food, diverse wildlife and brilliant attractions – check out our complete guide to the Yarra Valley Below. 

If you’re wanting to visit a vineyard you’re in luck – most vineyards and wineries offer wine tasting and tours, many of which you simply just have to turn up to on the day. There are also companies which offer coach/bus tours which take you around several of the wineries in the region. The bonus of this is that you don’t have to organise your own mode of transportation, so even if you already have a car, no one has to be the designated driver who can’t taste any of the wine.

You can take daily public tours, some of which will pick you up in the centre of Melbourne or from your accommodation and then take you to four wineries in the Yarra Valley region. Tours range from around $105 – $150 per person, and usually include a winery lunch, tastings and a return trip to your original pick-up point. You can also opt for a private tour which is recommended if you’re in a larger group. Here you get to choose which wineries you visit, but obviously this does cost a little more. The more there are of you, the cheaper it costs per person.

Should wine not be your thing, there are also beer and brewery tours available in the region, which tend to follow the same layout as the winery tours and also cost around the same too i.e. transportation, tours, lunch and tastings.

While the majority of people choose to stay in Melbourne and travel into Yarra Valley for the day when they visit, there is the option of staying overnight or a little longer. Cabins are a great way to do it, and rental starts from around $120 a night for 2-4 people. There are also cottages and cabins that can sleep up to 16 people which are also a great way to stay in the region in style but at a cheap price. It costs around $850 – $1250 a night which works out to $75 – $100 per person if you are in a large group, and you also get breakfast and other facilities included such as hot tubs, Jacuzzis and BBQs etc. Obviously the more there are of you the cheaper it becomes, and prices also vary depending on what time of year you go. Should you want to stick to a hotel, double rooms start from around $140 a night. Of course there are also the luxury cottages with all the commodities, but these are a little more at around $350 per person per night. In some cases, winery tours are included as part of a package deal.

However Yarra Valley is not just about wine and vineyards. What goes better with wine than cheese? Yarra Valley Dairy provides a charming setting in the valley, where you can enjoy some of the fine farmhouse cheeses made from the farm’s milk. This little gem is worth a look, as you can experience the process of cheese making while spending time enjoying the food and drink.

As Yarra Valley is a place of stunning natural beauty, there is of course the amazing wildlife to come along with it. Healesville Sanctuary is said to be the top attraction in the region, with 200 species of Australian wildlife for you to see. Here you can meet dingos, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, Tasmanian devils and great birds of prey just to name as few as you stroll through 3km of meandering paths.

There are also great places to hike or go for walk – Badger Weir, the O’Shannassy Trail and the Warburton Rainforest are some which really show off the Yarra Valley sights. If hiking and walking isn’t really your thing, then why not take the Yarra Valley railway which takes you right through the heart of it, giving you views of floodplains, dairy farms, vineyards, mountains and forests. You can also rent bikes and explore the Yarra Ranges National Park or the other trails mentioned before.

Those who want a bit more of an adrenalin rush can maybe opt for a skydive over the Yarra Valley – probably the easiest way to take in all those scenic views in one go. Melbourne Skydive Centre is the closest centre to Melbourne with a 100% safety record and they offer some amazing views at 6,000, 10,000, 12,000 and 14,000 feet. Prices start from around $300 and you can also have a DVD of your jump made to take home with you.

So who should visit Yarra Valley? Those who want something a little different from the traditional inner Melbourne bars, clubs and activities, and who want to see another side to it. The area is perhaps a little more expensive than average, but do your research and planning correctly and you could find some really great deals to suit your trip to the Yarra Valley and wonderful wine tasting sessions.

By Hannah Kurzawski