The Yarra Valley offers a variety of attractions, including world-class wines, craft beer, manicured gardens, national parks, hot air balloon rides, and skydiving, catering to a wide range of interests.
Overview
The Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s best wine regions, is easily accessible from Melbourne by a short drive. Along with visiting cellar doors for wine tasting, you can also enjoy many different activities there.
Here, you can have an unforgettable experience, like visiting specialty shops, boutiques, art galleries, and wildlife sanctuaries or savouring local delicacies such as chocolate, cheese, and tea.
Get active
Discover the gardens of Yarra Valley
Yarra Valley gardens are another way to enjoy nature, and thanks to the rich soils of the valley, some of them are simply spectacular.
The gardens at Alowyn, Yarra Glen, consist of seven gardens in one, including the formal parterre with its precise geometric shapes, edible gardens and woodland gardens, and a walk under the wisteria arch.
From November to February, the Varratina Lavender Farm is an especially popular place in the Yarra Valley. And the reason is the blooming of thousands of lavender plants. Don’t worry if you miss this spectacle. Blue lavender can be seen all year round at the Lavender Tea House.
From Boxing Day to 18 April, one of Australia’s finest seasonal water gardens, Blue Lotus Water Garden, invites visitors to its tropical water garden, where dozens of ponds and two lakes feature giant Amazonian water lilies, a Cockatoo Lagoon water lily display and more.
Let's go hiking
Whether you prefer a gentle or strenuous walk, there’s a Yarra Valley hiking trail to explore.
For a picnic and a stroll, the Badger Weir Picnic Area Trail near Hillsville is a 2.6km route through trees and ferns to a shady picnic area. In contrast, the La La Falls Walk is a calm 3.2km round trip walk near Warburton that takes you through a large rowan forest to a small waterfall.
If you prefer a family walk, try Riverside Tracks. It’s a 5.5km route from Warburton that follows the river banks and bridges. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
The more challenging is a 14.8km Mount Donna Buang Track. It starts on the banks of the Yarra River and then climbs 1,100 metres through rowan and myrtle trees into a dense rainforest with many tree ferns. It is recommended for experienced hikers who know how much water and food they must bring.
Explore the Rail Trail
The Lilydale to Warburton railway stretches from the Melbourne suburbs to the Melbourne Valley, and you can walk or cycle one or two sections of the entire route.
Along a historic broad gauge railway line closed in 1965, the route passes through bushland and villages. It is comfortable for cycling or walking because of its gentle gradient.
You can hire a bike for anyone of any age at Cog Bikes Australia. The bikes can be dropped off and picked up at various locations along the trail.
As the trail is 40 kilometres long, it’s worth spending a night or two in the valley if you plan to ride it. The entire Warby Trail is wheelchair accessible, and the 8.5 km between Yara Junction and Warburton is primarily paved and passes through dense forest before finishing at the trail’s end.
Get ready for a trail ride
Horse riding in the Yarra Valley is not for the faint of heart. Chum Creek Horseriding and Huts has horses for beginners and experienced riders alike, and within minutes of saddling up, you’ll be galloping off into the bush.
There are different options to choose from. A 2.5-hour ride, which includes wine tasting in the mountain hut. A three-day horseback riding adventure with traditional Australian campfire meals and overnight stays at Chum Creek Huts.
Young riders aged six and up can experience a one-hour horseback ride.
Go hot air ballooning
Hot air ballooning may not be the most exhausting activity, as you’ll be up long before dawn, but we consider it a more active form of relaxation.
Hot air ballooning offers a magnificent view of the Yarra Valley, which becomes even more appealing when looking down there.
Mountains create stable conditions at dawn, and flying above the valley, you can admire the vineyards, farmland and forests bathed in the sunlight below.
Try skydiving
You can also go skydiving in the Yarra Valley for an even bigger adrenaline rush in the sky. Tandem skydiving from up to 15,000 feet is available for those aged 16 and over (a parent or guardian must accompany children under 18).
Experience the views of Melbourne and the bay from a plane before skydiving and enjoying a 60-second free fall. From the moment your parachute opens, you’ll have five minutes to slowly descend to the ground and see the breathtaking views with the skydiver’s eyes.
Visit the Tarrawarra Museum of Art
Designed by renowned Australian architect Allan Powell, the TarraWarra Museum of Art is a work of art whose contours and colours are enhanced by the earth in the adobe walls. Here, modern and contemporary art exhibitions can be seen. You can also find a variety of paintings, sculptures and drawings created by Australia’s renowned artists.
Regular visitors may notice that not only the art on the walls of Australia but the walls themselves may have moved or changed colour since they were last here. Try not to skip a visit to Valhalla, Callum Morton’s installation that was initially created for the 52nd Venice Biennale and then moved by Morton to its new home in the Yarra Valley in 2024.
Take a walk on the Wurundjeri
Although best known as a great place to spot Australian wildlife, Hillsville Reserve also has a special section where everyone can learn more about the traditional caretakers of the land.
The Wurundjeri Walk self-guided trail in the Yarra Valley was created in consultation with the Wurundjeri elder and spiritual guardian of the land, Murrundindi, who are the indigenous people of the Kulin Nation.
Visitors can listen to past and present stories from the elders, share stories, read signs explaining the views of the Wurundjeri on the plants along the walkway, and sit in a dreamy spot. Every Sunday, at the weekends and on school holidays, there’s a chance to meet Murrundindi and hear his stories first-hand.
Yava Gallery & Arts Hub
Yarra Valley Arts, YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub is a not-for-profit, voluntary organisation that brings artists and art lovers together in Hillsville. Along with hosting exhibitions by local, national, and international artists, YAVA organises workshops and live events that include visual art, music, poetry, theatre, and film.
Visit the Hubert Gallery of Art
When Hubert’s Estate opened its doors in March 2022, it boasted a new winery, restaurant and the newest art gallery in the Yarra Valley. Adam Knight and Gerry Ryan OAM created the Hubert Art Gallery to reflect their passion for Indigenous Australian art.
The gallery showcases the work of more than 20 Indigenous communities, including paintings, sculptures and marebos (woven mats). The gallery is open seven days a week and directly below the elegant basement doors, making it easily accessible in the city’s heart.
Experience a ride on Puffing Billy
For more than 120 years, Puffin Billy has been travelling the same route from Belgrave to Emerald and Hambrook. Once people, livestock, and food are carried to mountain communities, it’s a fun ride for the whole family, including four-legged friends, on selected days when pets are allowed.
Cross forests and fern-covered ravines, and ride over historic wooden trestle bridges with your feet dangling over the edge of open-side cars. If you prefer a first-class experience, you can also book a “steam and cuisine” journey, which includes a three-course meal under the pressed metal ceiling of a first-class carriage.
Tour Four Pillars Gin Distillery
Four Pillars, one of Australia’s finest craft spirits, has a long list of international gold and best gin awards. We recommend attending one of the tastings and masterclasses at the distillery in the Yarra Valley, where you will be told about the botanical ingredients behind the signature and limited edition gins.
There is also the non-alcoholic Bandwagon range. It’s made for drivers to enjoy a cocktail of botanical flavours without worrying.
Craft beers
Explore the brewing art of the Yarra Valley by visiting some of the local microbreweries. During a tour of Matilda Bay Brewery, you can discover the sustainable aspect of beer production and taste some of the region’s best beers in stainless steel tanks. Taste a variety of beers and ciders at Coldstream Brewery, where you can also enjoy a pub-style lunch with parmesan, pizza and more.
Hop Hen Brewery, which started as a hobby, is now a small family-run brewery in Lilydale, where 100% of the products are made in-house. Meanwhile, Watts River Brewing has brought together two young families to create a brewery and winery in Hillsville.
Cheese tasting event
Wine and cheese are a winning combination; you can try both at Yarra Valley. Source At Yarra Valley Dairy, fresh cow’s milk from Yarra Valley farms and goat’s milk from nearby Mansfield are used to create a range inspired by the farm cheeses of France and Italy.
Choose a premium tasting package to sample their handmade cow and goat cheeses or a cheese plate with freshly baked bread and cold cuts.
Chocolate and ice cream
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery produces more than 400 types of chocolate products. You can watch the chocolatiers creating desserts through the large windows and enjoy a complimentary chocolate tasting afterwards.
Hands-on classes allow you and your children aged 6-12 to learn how to make chocolate. Then they can play on the lawns, gardens, orchards and wetlands, and you can unwind with a bite to eat at the 24-hour café.
Eat a cherry right off the tree during a cherry-picking experience at Cherry Hill Orchards. You can also eat an entire cherry in two hours. Hand-picked cherries by the kilo are for sale to take home.
Bring a picnic lunch to accompany your cherry feast, enjoy wood-fired pizza and Rochford wine tastings at Coldstream Orchard, and enjoy the list of food trucks at Vandeen Orchard.
It's time for tea
Take a look behind the scenes at Yarra Valley Tea Company. This family-run business in Coldstream specialises in organic and ethical tea and uses only certified green tea grown in Australia. At the factory, you can watch the team blend and package the tea through a window open to the public and buy new tea in the tea shop.
Coffee aroma
While you can enjoy a simple coffee with delicious pastries at Silva Coffee Roasters, we think taking a coffee-tasting flight is even better. As well as getting to try their latest brews, you’ll learn all about the people and stories behind the coffee beans.
FAQ
What outdoor activities can I enjoy in the Yarra Valley?
You can go hiking, cycling along the Rail Trail, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, and even tandem skydiving.
Are there gardens worth visiting in the Yarra Valley?
Yes — highlights include Alowyn Gardens, the Varratina Lavender Farm, and the seasonal Blue Lotus Water Garden.
What cultural attractions are there in the region?
You can visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Wurundjeri Walk, YAVA Gallery, Hubert Gallery of Art, and ride the historic Puffing Billy train.
What food and drink experiences are available?
Enjoy wine tastings at cellar doors, gin at Four Pillars Distillery, craft beers, cheese tastings, chocolate workshops, cherry picking, and tea and coffee tours.
How far is the Yarra Valley from Melbourne and how do I get there?
It’s about an hour’s drive from Melbourne, making it an easy day trip or weekend getaway.
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