Just an hour east of Melbourne lies the breathtakingly beautiful Yarra Valley in the region surrounding the Yarra River. Yarra Valley tours take visitors to this popular destination, past rolling green hills dotted with vineyards, farmlands, unspoilt wilderness, rustic villages and a host of fabulous eateries. Yarra Valley is a place to relax, unwind, rejuvenate and indulge!
The Yarra Valley is famous for producing quality, cool climate wines such as sparkling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. A Yarra Valley day trip is a must for visitors to Melbourne or those travelling through the south of Victoria. Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Healesville and Warburton are the major towns dotted through the hills.
The Yarra Valley became Victoria's first wine-growing district when Scottish-born Ryrie brothers planted vines on Yering Station in 1838. The land was named ‘Yering’ by the First Nations People, and with two grape varieties – sweet water and black cluster- it became the first vineyard in Victoria.
Viticulture spread throughout the Yarra Valley in the 1860s and 1870s, and by the 1890s, it had also become Melbourne's primary food production region. Early wine growers included the de Pury and de Castella families, whose local wines were exported to Britain and Europe, winning international awards. The region’s wine production stopped in 1921 with the demand for fortified wines.
In the late 1960s, vines were replanted, and within 30 years, Yarra Valley wines once again gained recognition both Nationally and Internationally. Today, the region boasts well-known names such as Oakridge, Domaine Chandon, De Bortoli, St Huberts, Coldstream Hills and Yering Station.
In the 1800s, hop farms began popping up in the area, producing beer and cider. Today, Yarra Valley is home to renowned craft breweries, artisan cider producers and craft distilleries offering gin, rum, vodka and whiskey.
Yarra Valley crops are an important agricultural region, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, figs, stone fruit, apples, tomatoes, rhubarb, pumpkin, chilli and various vegetables. The region has also attracted specialty cheese producers, smoked fish, pasta, chocolate, ice cream, and more.
With such an abundance of fresh produce on their doorstep, the many cafes and restaurants in the area pride themselves on creating delicious meals with local ingredients. In fact, many award-winning restaurants in the Yarra Valley serve up an incredible variety of decadent delights. Outstanding food, served with local wine, beer, cider or spirit, makes Yarra Valley a popular destination for day visitors and holidaymakers.
A Yarra Valley tour from Melbourne takes visitors to some of the over 80 cellar doors scattered throughout the towns of Lilydale, Healesville, Yarra Glen, Coldstream and Seville.
Yarra Valley was originally called Birrarung, an Aboriginal name meaning 'a place of mists and shadows.' The area around Healesville was originally home to the Wurundjeri or Yarra Yarra group. In the 1830s, the name ‘Yarra’ was adopted after a surveyor misheard local Aboriginal people referring to the river, saying Yarro Yarro, which means 'it flows.'
Remember to pack an extra layer if taking a Yarra Valley day tour! The climate is cool, but it varies depending on whether you visit the valleys or the hills. The ideal time to plan a visit to the Yarra Valley is at the end of Spring or early Summer, although it’s a magnificent region any time of the year.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
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