Yarra Glen

Yarra Glen is a charming wine-country town set in the heart of the Yarra Valley, just an hour's drive north-east of Melbourne. With its rolling hills, historic main street and cool-climate vineyards, it offers a relaxed escape into Victoria's premier wine region. Here you can taste world-class pinot noir and chardonnay, browse artisan food producers, and soak up the valley's lush, pastoral beauty.

Highlights & What to See

• Yarra Glen’s Main Street – A heritage strip lined with boutiques, cellar doors, and the grand Yarra Valley Grand Hotel, perfect for a coffee or a long lunch.
• Yarra Valley Wine Trail – Pop into iconic wineries like De Bortoli, Domaine Chandon, and Yering Station for tastings, vineyard views, and modern Australian dining.
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery – Indulge in free chocolate samples, artisan gelato, and beautiful valley views from the terrace.
• Healesville Sanctuary – A short drive away, this wildlife park lets you see kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses in natural bush settings.
• Hot Air Ballooning – Drift over the valley at dawn for panoramic views of vineyards, mountains, and the morning mist.
• Yarra Valley Farmers’ Market – Held monthly in Yarra Glen, it’s a feast of local cheeses, bread, honey, and seasonal produce.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors find that a full day is enough to explore Yarra Glen and its surrounding wineries, but two days allow you to relax and really savour the region. If you’re short on time, a half-day tasting tour from Melbourne can cover the highlights, though you’ll miss the unhurried pace of an overnight stay. For a weekend trip, combine Yarra Glen with Healesville and the quieter eastern end of the valley.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Healesville – A vibrant town 15 minutes away, known for its craft breweries, the Sanctuary, and the Maroondah Reservoir Park.
• Coldstream – Home to several large wineries and the Yarra Valley Dairy, ideal for a cheese-and-wine pit stop.
• Dixons Creek – A rural pocket with boutique wineries and the stunning Christmas Hills, great for bushwalking.
• Warburton – A scenic 30-minute drive east, offering forest walks, the Yarra River, and the Redwood Forest.
• Yering – Features Yering Station, the valley’s oldest vineyard, and the Yarra Valley Glen, a historic property with gardens and a café.

Please check official sources for current details.