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While the Yarra Valley is a world-renowned wine growing region, wine is only half the story of this gourmet wonderland and our tour provides a fine blend of the very best of the region’s wines and other gourmet produce. Sample expertly made cheeses, chocolates, wines, and more on this Yarra Valley day tour in foodie heaven!
Yarra Valley is widely known for being Melbourne’s most popular wine and food playground. Its quaint towns and rolling vineyards are encased by an endless swathe of pristine and breathtaking bushland. What makes Yarra Valley even better is that it’s only one hour away when travelling from Melbourne CBD.
This spectacular landscape is situated in an area surrounded by dense forests, rolling vineyards, winding drives, and quaint towns, which makes it a popular getaway. Additionally, it’s the traditional land of the Wurundjeri people who have lived in this land for more than 30,000 years. It was once a European settlement that brought a massive change to the region with farming, mining, and logging becoming the main industries found in this newly-established land.It didn’t take long before the area was seen as a prime wine-making landscape. The first vines were planted in the Yarra Valley in 1838. Nowadays, viticulture has rapidly spread as the land’s wine has become internationally recognized. This region is known as one of the globe’s premier cold climate winemaking regions. It has many internationally renowned wineries found in this region. Some of these include Oakridge, Yering Station, De Bortoli, and St. Huberts.
Yarra Valley is now beckoning visitors with exceptional wine, food, and natural environments. However, you might be wondering what are the must-see attractions when visiting this landscape.
This area is one of Australia’s most established winemaking regions. That’s why sampling Yarra Valley wine is always a must if you’re visiting. Excellent wine estates and small-scale producers line the rolling vineyards, which provide a stunning view that makes the wine taste even better (if that’s possible).
The valley east of Melbourne is famous for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay while its Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are also respected. That’s why you’re provided with many tasting options when visiting this wine-tasting region. Taking a wine-tasting tour is one of the best ways to truly experience this region where you can drive from the cellar door to cellar door.
The Black Spur is one of the best things to do when visiting Yarra Valley with its achingly beautiful 36km road stretching from Healesville to Maryville. This road is shrouded by ever-present mist, dense ferns and towering mountain ash, making for a mystical drive.
When travelling The Black Spur, there are many stop-off points where you can admire the woods on foot. These include Dom Dom saddle picnic area, Fernshaw picnic ground, or you can hike up the Monda track.
What’s even better than travelling through Yarra Valley is viewing it from above. Take a beautiful hot air balloon ride over the picturesque valley and take in the fresh morning. It’s easy to see this experience as an unforgettable moment.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers this magical landscape and provides you with rare sights over the wine region with 360-degree viewing over its rolling vineyards, mirrored lakes, forested hills, and mountain mist. There’s no doubt that the sensation of floating above this tranquil setting is breathtaking.
Venture Through the Historic Towns of Marysville, Warburton, and Healesville
Home to a wide array of historic hamlets and towns, Yarra Valley consists of Maryville, Warburton, and Healesville. Each of these towns can offer you something unique. Healesville is known for being home to artisanal producers, cafes and restaurants, up-market stores, and art galleries. When visiting Healesville, ensure you stop by Habituel for some spectacular coffee and Maroondah Dame for exceptional views.
Warburton is a little rough around the edges but is popular for having a heart of gold. This region features dense forests while the Yarra River flows right down the middle. Although it lacks finery, it makes up for its breathtaking and natural beauty. You can take a walk along or swim in the Yarra, grab a bite to eat at the best bakery (the Flying Apron), or drive up to Mt. Donna Buang summit.
Marysville is slowly growing back to its former glory after the devastating 2009 Black Friday fires. This town is surrounded by thick Aussie bush, which is perfect for those wishing to immerse themselves in nature and escape the city.
One of the most amazing things about Australian fauna is that it’s left in its natural environment. At Healesville, visitors enjoy that a lot of effort has been put into conserving these animals’ habitats.
Healesville Sanctuary is an internationally recognized animal reserve focusing on Australian fauna. This means that you can spot wombats, koalas, and kangaroos. It has more than 200 species on show.
Some of the must-sees include the treetops of the Kangaroo Country and Koala Forest for extraordinary close-ups with some iconic creatures. One of the best things about this sanctuary is that it isn’t only suitable for kids, but those in their adulthood are also bound to gain a valuable experience when visiting the Healesville Sanctuary.
One of the true pleasures in life is cheese. That’s one more reason why Yarra Valley is such a spectacular place. It’s home to one of Australia’s premium dairy regions, in which rich and quality milk is used to produce a tantalizing array of cheeses.
When sampling some of the valley’s cheeses, you get to do so in an original 100-year-old milking shed. Here, you can sample many different hard and soft cheeses with accompanying wine.
The cheese plates include a selection of locally produced and sourced jams, bread, charcuterie items, and relishes. You’ve got the ultimate picnic pack with paired local wine to help you enjoy all the exquisite flavours.
This family-owned and run business was first established in 2012 and has been a haven for sweet-toothed visitors. It features a wide array of quality chocolate products, which could easily make Willy Wonka giddy.
You can partake in free chocolate tastings that are bound to bring excitement to your kids. However, you might enjoy a guided tasting session far more, which can take you through the ingredients and techniques included in the creation process.
Book a tour to Yarra Valley with us now! Contact us to learn about what we can do for you.