The Yarra Valley, Australia
Wine, Gourmet Food, Scenery and Many Attractions Near Melbourne
A short drive from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the Yarra Valley is a destination where gourmet food and wine, beautiful scenery and a wide range of attractions meet.
The Yarra Valley about a 50 minute drive east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia is a perfect travel destination with beautiful vistas, wineries, gourmet food, markets, fresh produce, horse racing, boutique accommodation, ballooning, scenic flights, bushland drives, quaint towns and attractions to suit the independent traveller or the entire family.
Where is The Yarra Valley?
The Yarra Valley is a sweeping valley between the towns of Lilydale and Healesville and surrounded on three sides by bush-covered mountains that can be seen in the distance throughout the valley. These mountains form a beautiful hazy blue ring around the gently undulating countryside of the valley.
Yarra Vally Wineries
The Yarra Valley is recognised worldwide as a premier wine region and much of the valley is now under vine. There are over sixty wineries ranging from small and unique boutique wineries through to larger more commercial enterprises. Most of the wineries have cellar door tasting and this is a great opportunity to taste some spectacular wines. Some wineries also offer winery tours, restaurants, picnic and BBQ facilities and accommodation. Yarra Valley wines are among the finest in the world.
Gourmet Food and Fresh Produce In The Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is a gourmet’s delight offering a huge range of opportunities to buy and taste local produce. Places such as the Yarra Valley Dairy, Couper’s Orchard and Yarra Valley Preserves. Just a few examples of the tempting fare on offer in the Valley – home made fudge, cheeses, gourmet ice-cream, yabbies, cider, chocolate, jams and preserves, spices and teas, nuts, fresh fruit, vinegars, oils, salad dressings, mustards and to top it off hand milked Atlantic salmon caviar and buffalo steaks.
Markets
There are several markets in the Yarra Valley, the most popular are the Yarra Glen Market and the farmer’s market at Chateau Yering.
Horse Racing
The Yarra Glen Country Race Meeting is a fabulous day out for everyone even if hors racing is not your cup of tea. The atmosphere is great and the enthusiasm contagious. A fun day of colour, excitement and entertainment.
Accommodation
Accommodation in the Yarra Valley can suit any budget and staying in the area is well worthwhile. Approximately 50% of visitors to the Yarra Valley are day trippers, but many of those visitors make return trips to fully enjoy the area. Staying in the Yarra Valley is the perfect option. The styles of accommodation embrace all budgets with motel accommodation, many bed and breakfast options and the opulence of luxury properties such as Chateau Yering or the Sebel Heritage.
Balloon Trips and Scenic Flights
A hot air balloon trip over the Yarra Valley is a perfect accompaniment to a holiday in this region. The flights usually leave in the very early morning and circuit the Yarra Valley and surrounding area before returning for breakfast and a drink at one of the local wineries. Scenic flights are another way to fully appreciate the beauty of the Yarra Valley. Flights are available from Lilydale Airport.
Great Drives
The Yarra Valley offers the perfect base for exploring the surrounding bushland. Scenic drives will take you over the Black Spur with soaring gum trees, into the fern gullies of Kinglake, through the open bushland of Christmas Hills and into the wonderful Dandenong Ranges.
Main Towns In The Yarra Valley
The main towns in the Yarra Valley are Yarra Glen, Healesville, Coldstream, Dixon’s Creek and Lilydale. Yarra Glen and Healesville are the tourism hubs for the Yarra Valley and offer a wide range of services. Healesville is the larger of the towns and alongside quaint shops, gourmet eateries and wonderful hotels has a large supermarket, hospital and community centre. Coldstream and Dixon’s Creek are very small and have few services. Lilydale is a large suburban town on the edge of the Yarra Valley.
Yarra Valley Attractions
The Yarra Valley offers a huge range of attractions to suit every visitor. The world famous Healesville Sanctuary is one of the easiest and most interactive ways to see Australian animals in a natural setting. You can take part in diverse activities or simply relax, wander and browse. Attractions include Hedge End Maze and Tearooms, numerous galleries, museums and craft shops, idyllic picnic locations, the Yarra River, Gulf Station pioneer farm, the Australian Rainbow Trout Farm and many gardens, parks, and wonderful walks.
