The Yarra Valley is a magical place for all! Situated only credit card’s throw of Melbourne. One minute you’re immersed in the hustle and bustle of city life and a short drive out gets you slap bang in the middle of sprawling green hills and vineyards aplenty. The Yarra Valley is truly a wine lover’s paradise, being the birthing place for a number of the country’s most popular wine brands. Here is my list of the best attractions within the Valley! Simply follow my travel guide during your stay and get ready for an easy weekend escape to relax and rejuvenate.
First on the Agenda: Wineries
Quench your thirst in style at one of the many countless wineries on offer. Due to its rich nutrient soil, Yarra Valley is one of the few spots in the country that can produce these fantastic wine varieties. With an abundance in reds, pinks, whites, and sparkling! While sipping on these delights, I learnt about the traditional and modern wine-making methods used, with professional staff detailing the vast range of flavours and scents found in one simple glass of wine. Noteworthy wineries worth the visit include the Gateway Estate, Killara Estate, Hanrahan Winery, and Killara Estate Winery.
If you aren’t the biggest wino: Napoleone Brewery and Cider House
Getting sick of glass after glass of wine? Aren’t much of a wine drinker to begin with? Don’t despair because Yarra Valley offers a satisfying getaway for everyone, including the beer drinkers of the world. The Napoleon Brewery and Cider House is both a working brewery and a showroom for its produce, with countless beers and ciders on the menu. To try the best of the best, grab a tasting paddle and hear about each brew’s production process.
Nature Lovers: Healesville Sanctuary
Connect with the natural beauty of the region and meet the locals of Yarra Valley. Coming face to face with the most beloved Australian animals at Healesville Sanctuary. Get an even closer meeting at a close encounter which allows you one-on-one time with the park’s friendiest animals. Letting you pat a kangaroo, hold a snake, or even meet one of the shy echidnas. The zoo’s friendly staff will be on hand to help capture these cherished moments for you and your family.
For your sweet tooth: Yarra Valley’s Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice-Creamery
Who isn’t a chocoholic? Yarra Valley’s Chocolaterie and Ice-Creamery shows no shame in obsessing over this mouth-watering treat, with over a hundred different types on offer. Watch the masters at work at the chocolate factory located right next to the chocolate shop. Fill your belly to the brim with chocolate after chocolate, choosing your favourite and grabbing a bag for home!
Try the fresh produce: Yarra Valley Gateway Estate
You won’t truly understand the beauty of the countryside until you try the fresh food produced here. The Yarra Valley’s Gateway Estate is chock-full with delicious produce, with veggies and fruits everchanging depending on the season. The farm even offers organic meat and home-made spirits and wine. If you’re interested in a fun time while here, join in on the U-Pick Strawberries activity. Where you get a chance to pick your own basket of strawberries right from the bush, simply grab a basket and show your haul at the end to the staff. There is a café attached to the shop so you can rest up and treat yourself to a well-earned coffee.
Take a tour: Sightseeing Tours Australia
Not one for organising? Skip the stress and book a tour for the day or weekend. Sightseeing Tours Australia offers a range of tours, with a specular day trip to the Yarra Valley. Visiting wineries, breweries, natural wonders, and more! Check out their 1 Day Yarra Valley Wine Tour!
