The Yarra Valley is a picturesque part of country Victoria, approximately one hour east of Melbourne. Home to some of the state's most stunning hinterland, the Yarra Valley features tall timber forests, vast mountain ash plantations, some of Australia's best eucalypt forests and the world's largest flowering tree. The Yarra Valley is also renowned as wine country, and for good reason, the region features over 35 vineyards and wineries. Popular for both day trips or extended stays, there are a wide range of Yarra Valley attractions to keep you entertained.
A haven for wine connoisseurs, the Yarra Valley features a total of 38 wineries offering vineyard tours, tastings, gourmet meals and selling private vintages from their own cellar door. A wonderful way to spend the day, there are a number of tours that visit a variety of these wineries on a leisurely day trip. Some of the region's most famous wineries include iconic Australian names such as Coldstream and De Bortoli as well as the house of Moet et Chandon French champagne.
Of course, not visit to the Yarra Valley would be complete without a stop at the Healesville Sanctuary, where you have the opportunity to see unique Australian wildlife up close and personal. Home to more than 200 species of animals, Healesville Sanctuary is designed with a bushland setting for that authentic native touch and offers a range of displays an exhibits throughout the day including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, emus and platypus. This Yarra Valley attraction is a real favourite with families. .
Also part of the Yarra Valley, the attractions of Marysville and stunning Steavenson's Falls offer some spectacular forest drives of Archeron Way, Black Spur and Lady Talbot. The highest waterfalls in Victoria, Steavenson's Falls measure a whopping 80m and are actually floodlit at night, not only making for a particularly spectacular sight but also extending your opportunity for sightseeing, allowing you to continue on well into the evening.
If you head further west, you'll also discover the picturesque town of Warburton and the Mt Donna Buang Lookout as well as the breathtaking scenery of a number of natural Yarra Valley attractions including the Yarra Ranges National Park, Woori Yallock, Lilydale and the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
