Local Recommendations
Puffing Billy
Step back in time at Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, Puffing Billy, situated in the Dandenong Ranges.
With lush fern gullies brushing past the open side carriages and trees towering overhead, Puffing Billy makes for a wonderful opportunity to relax and breathe in the fresh air whilst the train makes its way through the temperate rainforest
For more information www.puffingbilly.com.au/
Fergusson Winery
Fergusson Winery offers a charming blend of rustic elegance and natural beauty, providing the ideal setting for your wedding celebration, event, or dining experience.
For more information www.fergussonwinery.com.au
Acacia Ridge
Set in the heart of the beautiful Yarra Valley with stunning views across the vines and onto the Great Dividing Range, Acacia Ridge is the perfect setting for your special wedding day. Set in the heart of the beautiful Yarra Valley with stunning views across the vines and onto the Great Dividing Range, Acacia Ridge is the perfect setting for your special day.
For more information https://acaciaridgeyarravalley.com.au/
Zonzo Estate
Zonzo Estate is a winery, restaurant, wedding venue and working farm situated on over 300 picturesque acres in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Open every Wednesday to Sunday, the Restaurant offers delicious, authentic Italian cuisine the whole family will savour. Since 2015 they have been producing premium quality, small-batch wines that beautifully accompany the food and surroundings. They place an emphasis on Italian varieties typical to the Yarra Valley that are better suited to the warming/changing climate.
For more information www.zonzo.com.au
Kitchen & Butcher
258 Maroondah Hwy. Healesville
Beautiful Food, Free Range Butcher, Cheese, Wine & Homewares. Purveyors of fine foods, you are sure to be delighted by the abundant selection of artisan produce and exquisite homewares. A literal foodie haven, Kitchen & Butcher sources the best of the season and region to bring together fine foods with inspiration and flavour!
OPEN 7 DAYS | See website for hours.
For more information www.kitchenandbutcher.com.au
Healesville Sanctuary
Zoos Victoria is a world-leading zoo-based conservation organisation, dedicated to fighting wildlife extinction.
Healesville Sanctuary provides a unique and immersive experience that attracts visitors from around the world. Our zoos inspire animal lovers of all ages. And by strengthening the connection between people and wildlife, we hope to protect the future of animals and their homes.
Our important work includes breeding and recovery programs; we’ve built partnerships with local communities, fellow conservationists, and like-minded organisations — close to home and in far-flung corners of the world.
For more information https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville
Yarra Valley Chocolatier & Ice Creamery
Visitors are welcomed with a spectacular showroom filled with thousands of chocolates, an ever-changing array of freshly made pastries, desserts and artisan ice creams and an all-day café using ingredients from the kitchen garden. You can join daily hosted tasting sessions, hands-on chocolate-making classes for all ages, and one of the many special events, or you can simply watch Chocolatiers at work through giant viewing windows.
For more information https://www.yvci.com.au/
Cherry Hill Orchards
Cherry Hill Orchards, a third-generation cherry grower in the Yarra Valley, offers a range of agritourism experiences, including the Blossom Festival, Blossom by Light, and Australia’s largest Pick Your Own cherry experience across two picturesque locations. Their family-friendly venues are ideal for custom events, complete with accessible facilities and amenities.
For more information www.cherryhill.com.au
Four Pillars Gin Distillery
From small craft distillery to being named world’s leading gin producer two years in a row. We are modern Australian makers. We make the world’s most delicious and awarded range of craft gins.
For more information https://fourpillarsgin.com/
DeBortoli Yarra Valley
De Bortoli Yarra Valley is one of the top Australian wine brands offering an exceptional cellar door experience and a fine culinary experience at their signature Italian Locale Restaurant. With a spectacular drive-in and sceneries of the rolling hills of the vineyards, countryside & mountain ranges beyond.
For more information https://www.debortoli.com.au/visit-us/restaurants/locale-restaurant-yarra-valley
Steels Gate Winery
Steels Gate, nestled in the idyllic hillside of Dixons Creek, offers exceptional wines and a menu celebrating multicultural Australia.
Sourced from our kitchen garden and local suppliers, our dishes showcase vibrant flavours with a modern twist, making Steels Gate a must-visit destination for wine lovers and food enthusiasts alike
For more information https://steelsgate.com.au/
Yileena Park Winery
Small winery and cellar door specialising in aged red wines, smoked cheeses, meats, nuts and olives. Enjoy the serene vistas on the balcony and enjoy a glass of fine wine and cheese platter
For more information https://www.yileenapark.com.au/
YV Hampers
YV Hampers love supporting local businesses and continue to feature the best local artisan Yarra Valley products in their hamper collection.
Choose from one of their 100 hamper options online or contact them to customise for a special occasion.
For more information www.yvhampers.com.au
TarraWarra
Founders Marc and Eva Besen purchased the property at TarraWarra, initially planting 6 hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, in 1983. Forty years on, the property now encompasses 26 hectares of vines, an extensive nature reserve, a kitchen garden and our beautiful cellar door and restaurant. You have a choice of tastings in the cellar door along with a private vineyard tour. The restaurant features a 3 or 4-course set menu highlighting seasonal produce paired with our wines. A more casual food offering is available from the cellar door. Or maybe you simply want to take in the view on the deck, under the peppercorn trees, with a glass of wine.”
For more information www.tarrawarra.com.au
The Grand Hotel Yarra Glen
Built in 1888 originally the Burgoyne Hotel, renamed in 1905 to the landmark historical hotel The Yarra Valley Grand, heritage listed with the National Trust.
Immerse yourself in the ultimate pub experience with a curated menu featuring light bites, gourmet pizzas and well-known classics.
For more information https://yarravalleygrand.com.au/
Alowyn Gardens
Alowyn Gardens is an award-winning landscaped garden spanning 7 acres and has been a labour of love for the last 25 years.
The gardens are known for their 9 different distinct styles as you wander through the carefully designed space.
Enjoy the many view lines that have been designed to delight you as you view the gardens from different vantage points.
Alowyn also boasts the Wisteria Cafe and a fully stocked extensive nursery.
For more information https://alowyngardens.com.au/
Go Wild Ballooning
Go Wild Ballooning was established in 1989 by the Fraser brothers who pioneered the first hot air balloon flight in the Yarra Valley from the family vineyard ‘Tarraford’ located near Yarra Glen. A short 40 minute drive from Melbourne CBD, Yarra Valley hot air balloon rides offer spectacular views of the Yarra River below, mountain ranges, vineyards, the Melbourne CBD skyline and distant views of Port Phillip Bay. Our sunrise hot air balloon flights can offer these amazing views and more in a tranquil atmosphere, this experience is like no other.
For more information https://www.gowildballooning.com.au/
Global Ballooning Australia
Global Ballooning Australia has been helping to create memories for over 30 years and has delighted more than 120,000 customers with endless horizons and wondrous views. Their world-renowned team is known for reaching the highest standards in safety, innovation and excitement
For more information https://www.globalballooning.com.au/
Hop It
Our hop on hop off buses travel through the heart of the Yarra Valley delivering passengers direct to the doorsteps of the regions’ most worth-your-attention wineries, restaurants, distilleries, breweries and producers. There is a Hop It stop for everyone even if you don’t like wine.
Our journeys offer choose-your-own-adventure style daytrips and wine tours for flavour-hunters, pleasure-seekers and curious folk. Choose your own stops and be in charge of your itinerary.
It’s simple – Hop. Stop. Taste. Repeat.
For more information https://www.hopit.com.au/
Yarra Valley Dairy
Yarra Valley Dairy showcases all the best Australian cheeses at its beautiful cheese shop, situated right on the dairy farm, which has stunning Yarra Valley views. Whether it be an informative 10-cheese tasting or an oozing 4-cheese toasted sandwich; all of your cheese needs are catered for.
For more information https://yvd.com.au
Coombe Yarra Valley
Indulge in a culturally rich experience at Coombe Yarra Valley – the home of operatic icon, Dame Nellie Melba, only 50 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD.
Located on seven acres at Coldstream, the property established in 1909 is the gateway to the Yarra Valley. Dine and celebrate weddings and private events in our restaurant, located in the beautifully restored motor house with historic clock tower.
Take a glimpse into Melba’s extravagant life on a guided tour of Coombe cottage or the stunning 100-year-old gardens surrounded by 600m of Cypress hedges.
For more information https://coombeyarravalley.com.au/
Huburts Estate Winery
Among the charming valleys of Coldstream in the Yarra Valley lies Hubert Estate. From our humble beginnings in winemaking, we’ve now broadened our table, bringing together culture in all its forms under one roof. Sit back and enjoy the delicacies of premium Australian produce at Quarters, celebrate special moments with Harriett, and immerse yourself in Indigenous art at The Gallery of Art.
For more information https://hubertestate.com.au/
Chandon
Established in 1986, Chandon Australia is a premium sparkling winery based in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Dedicated to creating exceptional méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines, Chandon crafts wines that are complex, expressive and reflective of their origins.
A visit to the winery home provides the opportunity to experience one of the largest ranges of méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines in the country and a magnificent view of the surrounding Yarra Ranges. Chandon’s dynamic wine tourism offering includes a tasting bar, restaurant, lounge bar and retail boutique.
For more information https://www.chandon.com.au/
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
September – October
More than a million spring flowering bulbs, Live entertainment, Delicious foods or bring a picnic, Free onsite parking, Just 40km east of Melbourne, Dogs on leads welcome, Pram Friendly, A kaleidoscope of colour
For more information https://tulipfestival.com.au/