The Yarra Valley is the ideal day trip from busy Melbourne, only an hour away by car. This region is renowned for its stunning beauty and abundant activities. From wineries and breweries to hiking trails and mountain biking, there is something for everyone in the stunning Yarra Valley.
Why the Yarra Valley is the perfect day trip from Melbourne
If you live in Melbourne or are just visiting, sometimes you need a little break from the city. Whether you want to escape the sweltering heat or return to nature and watch the rain roll in over the mountains, the Yarra Valley is the perfect scenic getaway in any season. Just an hour from Melbourne and with wine, food and breathtaking views galore, the Yarra Valley is the ideal destination for a day trip out of the city.
Gateway Estate
A great way to start your Yarra Valley day trip is by heading to Gateway Estate. Gateway Estate combines a 5000 square metre greenhouse and a rustic café and shop, stocking some of the best local products the Yarra Valley offers. From goat’s cheese to chutneys and fresh produce, this is the perfect place to get your first taste of the Yarra Valley. If you want a more hands-on approach, you can pick your strawberries from the Gateway greenhouse, or If you’re looking for a slightly bolder way to kickstart your morning, the Gateway Estate strawberry liqueurs are a must-try.
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
No trip to the Yarra Valley would be complete without a stop at the Chocolaterie. Set among orchards and rolling hillsides and boasting over 250 different chocolate products, a trip to the Chocolaterie is a sensory treat. While you’re here, you can indulge in the free samples, watch the chocolatiers at work or try something more unique, like the rosemary chocolate from their Kitchen Garden range. If a boozy trip is more what you’re seeking, don’t fret; the Chocolaterie still has you covered with their speciality truffle range which includes chocolates infused with champagne, wine and cider
Killara Estate
Let’s be honest; if you’re in the Yarra Valley, you will want to taste some of the wines that have made the region famous. Killara Estate cellar door and restaurant is the perfect place to get started. With everything from prosecco to pinot noir, a cellar-door wine tasting is a great place to start your time at Killara Estate. Then, head into the restaurant, where you can treat yourself to an authentic Italian-style lunch while you sit by the roaring log fire and take in the views across the valley. The pumpkin gnocchi with a glass of Sangiovese is a must while at Killara.
Napoleone Brewery & Ciderhouse
Although the Yarra Valley is often touted for its wineries, if you need a cleansing ale, Napoleone Brewery is the place for you. Brewing craft and small-batch beers and ciders on site, Napoleone offers a very refreshing range. Their mixed apple and pear cider is crisp and clean, while their more prominent is light and subtle and will suit even a non-beer drinker. Indulge in the expansive views of the surrounding vineyards and settle in with a $15 tasting paddle or indulge in a bite to eat from Meletos, which shares a space with the brewery.
Hanrahan Vineyard
After a day of gallivanting, Hanrahan’s Vineyard is the perfect place to wind down after a long day. The cellar door of the boutique, family-owned vineyard is nestled in what looks like an old-school converted barn. Everything from the wines to the decorating at Hanrahan’s is homely and rustic. If you’ve collected some local produce throughout your day in the Yarra Valley, the excellent news is Hanrahan offers reverse BYO; you supply the food, and they supply the wine. The perfect way to top off your day!
Have a reason to celebrate or want to get out of Melbourne for the day and join us on a Yarra Valley tour, then join us on our award-winning tour and get $10 off per person with code YVFB10.
1 Day Discover the Yarra Valley
The Wurrundjeri people called the Yarra River “Birrarung, ” meanings “river of mists”. This mystical valley will enchant you, complete with gourmet delights.
Our day begins with a visit to Gateway Estate Farmhouse for a tour of the high-tech hydroponic greenhouse, where they grow strawberries and capsicums, plus share platters of fresh fruit and seasonal produce. Afterwards, we visit the rustic cellar door of Napoleone Cider and Brewery House for generous samples of delicious ciders and ales. This fun day tour includes sampling 10th-generation French wine-making sparkling wine from the stunning Dominque Portet Winery. After great wine tastings at Rochford, we will sojourn to the restaurant for our light lunch overlooking the gardens and Yarra Valley Wines. The first course is antipasto sharing plates followed by a selection of light seasonal meals freshly plated by the resident chef.
We visit three of our favourite boutique award-winning wineries throughout the day, each selected for excellence in customer experience and quality wine tastings. Before returning to Melbourne, we stop off to indulge in free chocolate at the picturesque Yarra Valley Wine Tour Chocolateire and Ice-creamery, offering over 250 handcrafted chocolate and truffle varieties. You’ll indeed walk away with something delicious from the ‘Great Wall of Chocolate’.
Wines do a lot of wonders. They can make you feel happy and relaxed. They break down the walls you set to shut yourself off from the world of strangers. A glass of dry wine builds bridges and unforgettable friendships. So, experience the fun and satisfy your senses with the best Shiraz or Pinot Noir.
The wines of Yarra Valley are sensational. The flavour, the colour, the dryness. They’re artistically crafted to deliver the best hit at the right spot. The different varieties of wine ranging from dry to red to sparkling, will make your day at the Valley all worth it.
As the magic of wine sets your spirit on high, explore more places and spaces beneath the surface of Yarra Valley. Understand the mystery and the secret hidden underneath the soil that grows the best vines producing world-class wines. Australian wine is truly the best in the hemisphere because the fertility gods and cool climate made them so!
Highlights
Highlights include the region’s stunning views, wine tastings at three renowned wineries, and free samples from a chocolate factory. You will experience the rustic charm of a cider ale house and taste the 10th-generation French winemaking flavour. You can also try some local produce from a gourmet farmhouse. Our Melbourne wine tours commence with a visit to Gateway Estate, which uses a high-tech hydroponic greenhouse to grow strawberries and capsicums. Learn some lessons about sustainable farming techniques employed by the farmhouse. You can share some fresh fruit and seasonal produce platters at the estate. You can pick strawberries from the farm and sample their liqueurs, preserves, and cheeses. Fruit picking has an extra cost, though.
Our next destination is the rustic cellar door of Napoleone Cider and Brewery House. We will have free samples of their ciders and ales. The brewery is at the heart of the Yarra Valley.
Then we stop by the Dominique Portet Winery, which prides itself on a 10th generation of traditional French winemaking. The winery has quite a history of creating French wines. Well, you can try their sparkling wine. That’s a dare!
We also visit and taste the wines at Rochford Winery. It houses the best dry wines you could imagine. Feel the warmth and taste the flavour of perfection. Well, see and taste for yourself. You be the judge!
On the upper side of Yarra Valley is the Killara Estate Winery. There you can enjoy delicious platters and Italian-inspired wines. Have fun and enjoy the fantastic views of the valley.
With just less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Yarra Valley has produced and delivered world-class wines for seventeen decades. That’s a long history right there. The region’s proximity to the city makes it a favourite Melbourne wine tour destination.
Aside from the wine, there are other reasons why you should visit the Yarra Valley. One of them is excellent food. The restaurants served exquisitely prepared dishes from local gourmet produce. We will have lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Yarra Valley. They have a great selection of delicious food.
The other reason you join us on our Yarra Valley wine tour is the excellent views of mountain ranges, rolling hills, and vineyards all across the valley. Truly mystifying, the valley makes you turn inward to search the deep recesses of your soul to find the connection that links the land and the life it hosts.
Beforeitting the road back to Melbourne, we will help at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, which ofoffersore more than 250 different varieties of handcrafted chocolates and truffles.
Don’t worry about how you can pay for all the wines! Wine and beer tastings are all free. But this Melbourne wine tour is suitable only for wine lovers 18 years old and above.
We provide you with an experienced driver for your ride. A friendly, hospitable, and informative professional tour guide will accompany you.
So what are you waiting for? Experience the beautiful scenery. Explore the magic. Know the secrets buried in the soils of Yarra Valley. Join us in our Yarra Valley Wine Tour to discover the secrets hidden behind the picturesque vista of this wine-producing valley.
FAQ
Why is the Yarra Valley a popular day trip from Melbourne?
Just an hour from the city, the Yarra Valley offers world-class wineries, stunning views, gourmet food, and plenty of outdoor activities.
What are the must-visit stops in the Yarra Valley?
Highlights include Gateway Estate, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Killara Estate, Napoleone Brewery & Ciderhouse, and boutique vineyards like Hanrahan.
