An area of outstanding natural beauty, where row upon row of lush vines allow for picture perfect scenes, the Yarra Valley is the area surrounding the upper regions of the Yarra River.
Renowned for its national parks and festivals, this is Australia’s leading cool climate wine region and Victoria’s oldest, covering 3,600 hectares under vine. Over fifty wineries operate here, so one thing you’ll be certain of here is being able to enjoy a tipple in the evenings.
Explore the wine region
Being one of the most beautiful wine regions in Victoria, the best views on Yarra Valley holidays are from above. Embark on a hot air balloon tour of the valley and float gently between the corridors of the grape vines and over the Yarra River. You will have spectacular views of the mountains surrounding you and when back on land you can toast the experience with a champagne breakfast.
Yarra Valley is green and lush, with fern glades, forests and blooms. Many national parks in the area contain the iconic trees of the region, the mountain ash and dripping tree ferns as well as waterfalls and lakes. At the Dandenong Ranges National Park you’ll find whimsical villages and an historic steam train called Puffing Billy, taking passengers from place to place.
Unique wildlife
The national parks in the Yarra Valley are great for seeing native animals in their natural habitat. Walking through the parks you may come across wombats, swamp wallabies or possums, with lyrebirds also frequently spotted. An especially exciting experience is pursuing mobs of kangaroos at Cardinia Reservoir in the Dandenong Ranges.
The tracks and trails of the Yarra Valley are plentiful and suitable for any level of walker. Some of the most popular treks are ‘1000 Steps’, a steep climb to represent the Australian soldiers’ march through the Kokoda Track, and the section up to the tiered Keppel Falls, with particularly astonishing views once you reach the lookout below the cascading water.
