Yarra Valley: Wine, Wildlife and Wonderful Walks
The Yarra Valley is a region rich in culinary delights and stunning natural beauty. Known for its outstanding local produce and hundreds of vineyards that dot the lush, rolling hills, this is an epicurean paradise. Expect to be swept away by the aromas and flavours, sights and sounds of this stunning piece of Victoria.
The Yarra Valley is Victoria’s oldest wine region and you can visit a selection of historic and newer wineries. Vineyards dot the landscape around the towns of Healesville, Marysville, Nillumbik, Hurstbridge and Kangaroo Ground. Established vineyards like Rochford and De Botoli sit shoulder to shoulder with young, undiscovered names and popular labels such as Giant Steps and Innocent Bystander.
Wines and Wildlife
Healesville is a regional centre known for its exceptional food and wine. Dine at wonderful restaurants and visit cellar doors for tastings and treats. The friendly winemakers will introduce their labels firsthand. Shop for fresh produce and local arts and crafts at the local community markets and enjoy a cultural afternoon at nearby TarraWarra Museum of Art. Within this striking, contemporary building you’ll find a rotating display of first-class exhibitions.
Families and animal-lovers should make a beeline for Healesville Sanctuary. This is the place to encounter some of Australia’s unique wildlife first hand, with kangaroos, koalas, stunning lyrebirds and the incredible Tasmanian devil.
Villages and Vistas
In the shadow of Yarra Ranges National Park, Marysville is another goldfields town surrounded by undulating hills, forest and waterfalls. Much of Marysville was destroyed in the devastating bushfires of 2009, but it’s steadily being rebuilt. Cathedral Range State park is just one local attraction, with its spectacular towering ash trees and lush tree ferns carpeting the forest floor. Don’t miss the amazing seven kilometre ridge of upturned sedimentary rock. For incredible views, follow the Black Spur Drive, a meandering road that travels through the Great Dividing Range between Healesville and Narbethong.
Marysville is also home to Victoria's highest waterfall. Bring your camera to capture the stunning cascades of water as it plunges into the fern-fringed Steavenson River beneath. The falls are illuminated at night.
The Yarra Ranges National Park offers several adventure activities. Discover the stunning terrain and abundant wildlife on walking trails, bicycles, bird-watching tours or drives. Highlights of the park include the Badger Weir picnic area and Rainforest Gallery. Here a 350m elevated platform escorts you through mountain ash and myrtle trees, mosses, ferns and flowing creeks.
There are a myriad of accommodation options in the Yarra Valley, from camping to chic apartments, heritage guesthouses and luxury retreats. With so much to discover, there’s plenty of reason to book your Yarra Valley adventure today!
Its not to far away from Melbourne, so hire a car and take to the road Victoria has so much to offer.
