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The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions complete with rolling vineyards, classy wineries, and of course, positively tantalizing wine.
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In addition, the bountiful natural areas, local charm, and unique shopping is enough to keep even the wine non-enthusiasts happy. Known around the world for both their quality and style, a visit to the Yarra Valley wineries is one of the best weekend or day trips you could take from Melbourne.
We traveled to Yarra Valley for a long weekend and had an opportunity to explore the region over the course of a couple of days. We visited wineries, cheese farms, chocolatiers, dined at fabulous restaurants in the area and enjoyed the beautiful views of this region. Having 3-4 days to explore was ideal for this region, but we realize that not all travelers have the opportunity to spend that much time in Yarra Valley.
Admiring the views of Yarra Valley from Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
So we have scoured the web for the best short trips to the Yarra Valley and have shared them below! This list compiles all the best tours and things to do in Yarra Valley including wine tastings, culinary experiences, and outdoor activities.
Cellar Door entrance at Coldstream Hills Winery in Yarra Valley
This classic tour includes tastings at the best wineries in the area such as Steels Gate Wines, Yering Farm, and Domaine Chandon. You’ll also enjoy a gourmet lunch at one of the best Yarra Valley restaurants, the Balgownie Estate. This tour takes you through all the most popular attractions in the area, making it one of the best things to do in Yarra Valley.
If you want to experience more from the Yarra Valley food scene, the Gourmet Yarra Valley Tour is just the ticket. On this tour, you’ll not only visit two of the region’s best wineries, but you’ll also have the chance to visit a dairy farm, an orchard, and a chocolate factory.
Yarra Valley Chocolatier
At Yarra Valley Dairy, you’ll sample homemade cheese fresh from the farm and learn about the cheese making process. At Yarra Farm Fresh, you’ll taste apples right off the tree and try a number of different fruit juices made on site. At the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, one of the most well-known Yarra Valley attractions, you’ll take a tour and taste some delectable handmade chocolates and ice cream.
The Yarra Valley wineries might steal the show, but there is a whole lot more to the spirits scene that is waiting to be discovered if you dig a little deeper.
On the Yarra Valley Wine, Cider, and Beer Tour, you’ll have to chance to visit two different Yarra Valley wineries, the Dominique Portet Winery and the Rochford Winery, where you’ll sample fine wines.
You’ll also have the chance to visit Napoleone Cider House and Brewery where some of the regions best beers are produced. You’ll sample ciders, ales, and more, all the while learning about the production process that uses apples and pears grown right on the property.
There is more to Yarra Valley than wine and many visitors tend to overlook the surreal natural beauty of the area. If you don’t want to miss out on it as most do, then book yourself a Yarra Valley Outdoors Tour.
To begin, you’ll drive to the Sherbrooke Forest where you’ll hike a peaceful mountain trail and observe the lush rainforest around you. After that, you’ll visit the Redwood Forest with theirmassive, towering trees. When you’re finished with your active adventure, your final activity will be a visit to a winery that will include a wine tasting, tour, and lunch.
The Yarra Valley is beautiful from the ground, but it’s magnificent from the air. For the absolute best views over the region, book a Yarra Valley Ballooning Tour and soar into the atmosphere in a hot air balloon at sunrise.
Beautiful views of Yarra Valley
After your flight, you’ll have the chance to indulge in a champagne breakfast with vineyard views. For the remainder of the day, you’ll visit four local Yarra Valley wineries complete with tours and tastings. This is truly one of the most unique Yarra Valley wine tours that you could take.
While the Yarra Valley is in a perfect location for day trips from Melbourne, some might like to spend more than just a single day in the area. If this is the case, the Yarra Valley Two Day Luxury Tour is a great option. With a wine expert as your tour guide, you’ll visit four of the region’s more upscale wineries, taking tours and sampling all their specialties.
In the early evening, check in to Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort and Spa, one of the most prestigious Yarra Valley accommodations, where you’ll have full access to the luxurious health club and a variety of other indulgent spa services. For your final day, you’ll visit more wineries as well as the home of a famous Yarra Valley champagne company and sip some bubbly to celebrate the conclusion of your Yarra Valley wine tour.
If you’re spending any time in the Melbourne area, one of these Yarra Valley wine tours is a great addition to your itinerary.
With its world-class cuisine, beckoning scenery, and of course, some seriously good wine, the Yarra Valley certainly lives up to its reputation for being one of the best wine regions in the world.
We are Oksana & Max, eco-conscious travelers on a mission to inspire responsible travel practices around the world. We are storytellers, photographers, and videographers traveling the world full-time in search of cultural experiences, human connections, and ways to make a positive impact on the destinations and communities we visit.
Nice post! Thanks for sharing!