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What’s a trip to Victoria without a visit to the world-class Yarra Valley wine region? A place for romance, get-togethers, or simple escapes to taste complex wines, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are packed with things to do for visitors of all ages.
Explore their secrets and hidden gems, with this list of the highlights of the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley tourist attractions… because delicious wine is only one way to end the day.
The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges: A Brief History
About an hour's drive west, originally known as Corhanwarrabul, Mount Dandenong sits proudly in the centre of the outskirts of Melbourne.
In the 1840s, Botanist Daniel Bunce was the first recorded European expedition into the Dandenong Ranges and soon after was followed by settlers.
Over the ranges, the Yarra Valley became a route to the 1850s Warburton Goldfields and a major connection between the growing Melbourne and region producers. It was during this time that the Yarra Valley came to bloom as a wine region. This was led by a handful of early settler families who exported local wines to British and European markets.
But demand began to slow, leading to production of wine ceasing in 1921. However, the wine region was later revived in the 1960s, reigniting the global love for cool climate wines. And so, the Yarra Valley returned to the world stage and reclaimed its position in the wine world.
Your Ultimate Yarra Valley ‘Things to Do’ List
With so much to discover and taste in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, we’ve broken it down into three sections - hopefully you have more than a weekend to explore them all.
If not, all the better reason to treat yourself to a week-long escape or to come back and enjoy this destination all over again during a different season.
Wineries: What People Come For
Search the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, and the first thing that pops up would be the world-class wineries. Across two centuries and 90 cellar doors, the Yarra Valley is one of the world’s best regions for cool climate vineyards. Call up all your mates (and a designated driver) for a day or two of gold-class drinking.
Chandon
Start your day with some sparkles, some Australian Sparkling Wine in fact at the Chandon winery. Australia’s premier sparkling wine vineyard released its first Cuvée 60 years ago, finding the perfect vineyard space in the Yarra Valley after a search that took them across the globe.
Nowadays, coming to Chandon isn’t just for tastings, it's for a wine experience - like sparkling brunches, immersive tours, the Lounge Bar, and private events. Pop a bottle of bubbles and soak up the sun at Chandon.
De Bortoli
An Italian family run business for over 90 years, the vines at De Bortoli are a part of the furniture in the Yarra Valley. Passed from generation to generation, the family wines crafted at De Bortoli are made with love, and you can taste it.
A large variety of white, red, rose, and fortified wine, even limoncello, with each generation leaving its mark on the collection. This award-winning Yarra Valley vineyard welcomes you with open arms into its cellar door for tastings or special occasions year round.
Yering Station
Victoria’s oldest winery, Yering Station laid its first crop almost two centuries ago in 1838 and has kept its ground-breaking balance of tradition and innovation since. Every bottle is crafted using modern advances of age-old techniques, creating a beautifully full taste that is celebrated across the world.
To be able to maintain such high-quality wines for centuries, Yering Station’s sustainability practices are unmatched. Discover the heritage and forward-thinking wines at Yering Station’s cellar door and tasting bar in the Yarra Valley.
St Huberts
The hunt for the best wine in the region is on at St Huberts. Named in honour of St Hubert, the Patron Saint of the Hunt, this winery creates a stunning range of cool climate wines like Yarra Valley Pinot Noir and Victorian Shiraz and Chardonnay, in an even more architecturally stunning cellar door.
Since laying roots in 1862, St Huberts is one of the reasons the Yarra Valley has become the winery world icon it is today, making it an unmissable Yarra Valley tourist attraction.
Oakridge
Multi-award winning winery Oakridge is one to add to every Yarra Valley to-do list. Sealing its first bottles in the 1980s, Oakridge originally set out to produce a single wine annually. However that quickly changed when two distinct, now world famous, fruits emerged - a soft cabernet merlot, and a rich cabernet sauvignon.
Any day out at Oakridge would be blasphemy if you didn’t taste both, along with their other award-winning wines on a tasting flight or masterclass at their cellar door.
Breweries and Distilleries: What People Stay For
If wine doesn’t get you going, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges region is also home to an array of distilleries and breweries. Now everyone can raise a glass of whatever they love in regional Victoria.
Four Pillars Distillery
From the heart of Yarra Valley, Four Pillars Gin has become one of the most celebrated distilleries in the world. In fact, this humble Victorian distillery has been named the world’s leading gin producer two years in a row.
In what was once a timber yard in Healesville, the Four Pillars Distillery is a gin lovers paradise between the vineyards, offering tastings, tours, and food almost every day of the year.
Bookings are essential for tastings, so get in touch today.
Watts River Brewing
Around the corner from Four Pillars is the fiercely independent and much loved, Watts River Brewing. For over 15 years, brew-loving couple Ben and Hanna Hamilton have been pouring sessionable craft beers for visitors far and wide.
Grab a beer or a tasting paddle, have a sticky beak at the brewing process, then head to the back of the brewhouse for a relaxed atmosphere. Watts River Brewing is a wonderful choice to wind down most days of the week.
Hargreaves Hill Brewing Co
An Australian craft brew pioneer, Hargreaves Hill Brewing Co was born out of obsession. Founders Simon and Beth applied their love for music to their craftsmanship of beer, and have worked tirelessly to create a collection of beer classics.
Now one of the bigger breweries in the region, Hargreaves Hill Brewing Co has become a beacon of beers and good times in the Yarra Valley region, hosting community events, special occasions, tastings, and tours year-round. Come see how easy it is to settle in for the afternoon at Hargreaves Hill Brewing Co.
Coldstream Brewery
365 days a year, the famous Shivering Man sits atop the entrance of Coldstream Brewery as a testament to taking the plunge into something new, just like mates Rohan and Mike did when they started Coldstream.
Almost 20 years, and a few locations later, the team at Coldstream Brewery have earned their place as fan favourites with locals and visitors alike, not just for their drinks but for the menu too. Now with a recently refurbished kitchen, you can grab a delicious bite packed with locally sourced ingredients with your beer.
Unmissable Dandenong & Yarra Valley Tourist Attractions: What People Discover
Yes, there’s more to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges than phenomenal wineries, breweries, and distilleries. If you need a day of rest, or have non-drinkers or minors in tow then explore the history, culture, and nature of this breathtaking region.
Tesselaar KaBloom Festival
Flowers. Flowers everywhere. That’s what you can expect at the 2025 Tesselaar KaBloom Festival of Flowers. From March 29 to April 27, 2025, immerse yourself in blooms and blossoms of every colour at Dandenong’s incredible flora spectacular.
Tickets for the 2025 festival are now available, and children under 16 can visit for free. If you’re already missing Spring, then don’t miss this Autumn flower festival.
Cherry Picking at CherryHill Orchards
Get your hands on some of Australia’s finest cherries fresh from the tree at CherryHill Orchards. The 100% Australian owned and operated family orchard is open to the public seasonally and is now taking registrations for the 2024/2025 picking season.
If you can’t wait that long to get your fingers on some juicy little cherries, CherryHill hosts festivals and events from September like the Blossom Festival, High Teas, and Wine and Dine sessions.
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
Top off your travels with the sweetest of treats at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. For over a decade, the team including top european pastry chefs and chocolatiers have been concocting an ever-changing array of delicious treats that make them one of the best dessert providers in Victoria.
While you could just swing by for a tasting or little treat, what makes this place so special is all the unique classes and events they host like Junior Pastry Chef and Chocolatier classes, Chocolate Discovery workshops, and High Teas.
Nestled within the vineyards of the Yarra Valley, this Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is the perfect way to round out your day, or cleanse your tastebuds between cellar doors.
Puffing Billy Railway
All aboard for this wholesome Yarra Valley tourist attraction – the Puffing Billy Railway. Breathe in the fresh air of the Dandenong Ranges as you travel on Australia’s only preserved steam railway.
Built in 1900 to serve the local community and region, the famous Puffing Billy is now a wonderful way to travel back in time and take in the hills and ranges from open-side carriages.
The Puffing Billy is a magical day out for families and explorers wanting to experience a slice of history in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges.
Visit the Yarra Valley From Your Home Away from Home
A day trip or more to the Yarra Valley or Dandenong Ranges is only one part of your Victoria getaway.
Make Rambla @ Solarino House your home base for adventures in Melbourne and beyond. Comfortable, convenient short stay accommodation ready for your next adventure, romantic getaway, or spontaneous escape.
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