Yarra Valley Getaway, Road trips and itineraries, Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia

Never-ending rows of vines framed against a dramatic backdrop of the Great Dividing Range. Sweeping architectural lines, acclaimed restaurants and cellar doors, tucked-away places plus friendly people quietly finessing their crafts. This is the Yarra Valley, a region of spectacular scenery, extraordinary restaurants and exciting artisan producers.

Explore the best of the Yarra Valley on our three-day-getaway road trip.

Day one

Waste no time in venturing into the many welcoming winery cellar doors dotted around the Yarra Valley. After all, with over 70 wineries and just three days at your disposal, timing is everything.

Spend the morning exploring the wineries along Maroondah Highway between Coldstream and Healesville. There are tiny boutique cellar doors and many big-name wineries to visit, including Domaine Chandon, Rochford Wines and Oakridge Wines. Let the experts from Australian Wine Tour Company show you around, or forge your own path. Take the Maddens Lane Trail of wineries to St Huberts Road to visit Punt Road Winery, and catch your breath at Meletos cafe and brewhouse, enjoying a good dose of country hospitality and sumptuous local produce in the refurbished farmhouse that specialises in local flavours.

Continue on St Huberts Road but detour from wine to cheese. Try the original Persian Fetta and the rest of the farmhouse cheeses at Yarra Valley Dairy. Next turn right towards Yarra Glen, visiting Yering Station for a cellar door experience that includes some of the richest history of the region and equally appealing artworks. Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is the perfect place to finish up and satisfy a sweet tooth.

Wineries
Oakridge Wines
Savour this award-winning winery, cellar door and restaurant in the heart of the Yarra Valley, voted Time Out Restaurant of the Year 2019.

Wineries
Domaine Chandon
Domaine Chandon's traditions hail from its founder – Champagne house Moët and Chandon – but its expertise is planted firmly in cool-climate Victorian wine...

Local produce
Yarra Valley Dairy
Yarra Valley Dairy offers a delightful experience of fine cheese and wine. It is at the Dairy, in the centre of a picturesque dairy farm in the heart of...

Restaurants
Meletos
Dine in a refurbished farm house at the Yarra Valley's Meletos. Specialising in local flavours, this cafe showcases the best of country hospitality.

Wineries
Punt Road Winery
Welcome to Punt Road Winery. Everything that Punt Road Winery creates comes from the one patch of dirt. Ideas are born there, all fruit is grown there...

Wineries
Rochford Wines Yarra Valley
50 minutes from Melbourne, seven minutes from Healesville Sanctuary and the township of Healesville, Rochford Wines is a versatile indoor and outdoor restaurant,...
Day two

Rise and shine before the birds and start the day in style with a Global Ballooning sunrise balloon ride over the Yarra Valley. Sip sparkling wine as you drift over the vine-laced hills while the sun slowly rises.

It's hard to top this unforgettable start to the day, but this is the Yarra Valley, where the extraordinary is ordinary. Case in point is Healesville Sanctuary, one of the best places to observe curious Australian animals in their natural habitats. Don't miss the 11.15am Tales from Platypus Creek show for a world-first interactive experience with these enigmatic creatures.

Pop in for a craft gin tasting and bite to eat at Melburnians' favourite Four Pillars Gin distillery in Healesville. Proof that the Yarra Valley really does have it all is your next stop, TarraWarra Museum of Art, the arts and cultural jewel of the Yarra Valley. The award winning architectural design of Allan Powell houses the extraordinary personal collection of Eva and Marc Besen, plus a wonderful range of visiting exhibitions. Taste the wines from TarraWarra Estate in the same complex.

After indulgence, wildlife, arts and wine, it's time for nature. Drive through the spectacular Black Spur between Healesville and Narbethong on Maroondah Highway and be rendered speechless by the immense mountain ash trees and green tree ferns.

Tour operator
Global Ballooning Australia
From the MCG and the Eureka Tower to the Yarra River – watch the sun come up over Melbourne's iconic attractions on a balloon flight over the city.

Wildlife, zoos & farms
Healesville Sanctuary
Watch for waking koalas and peek at a joey in a kangaroo's pouch, meet keepers or observe vets in the animal hospital, all in an Aussie bush setting.

Wineries
TarraWarra Estate
Reward your senses with an inspired combination of fine wines, delicious food, fine art and breathtaking views. Hatted by the Good Food Guide 2019.

Road trips & itineraries
Black Spur Drive
Famous for its heady scenery of spectacular tall forests, the Black Spur winds its way through the Yarra Ranges between Healesville and Marysville.

Art galleries
TarraWarra Museum of Art
Stunning architecture, contemporary art and rolling hills: see magnificent sites inside and out at this cultural icon in the Yarra Valley.

Distilleries
Four Pillars Distillery
Four Pillars Gin is Australia's number one craft spirit. Since launch in 2013, Four Pillars gin's have received the highest accolades at spirit competitions...
Day three

Fill your lungs with the fresh Yarra Valley air and dramatic scenery on your last day in this incredible region. Fill your photo feed with snaps of the panoramic views of the Victorian Alps across to Melbourne and the Great Dividing Range. Try your hand at catching your own trout or salmon at Buxton Trout and Salmon Farm. Rods and fishing tackle are supplied and your catch can be cooked and eaten in the farm's picturesque setting.

All good things must come to an end, so it's back in the car for the scenic 90-minute drive back to Melbourne.

Fishing
Buxton Trout and Salmon Farm
Visit the charming, rustic town of Buxton and pop into the Buxton Trout & Salmon Farm. Only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Buxton is nestled in the...