Yarra Valley has long been considered Australia’s Sonoma Valley. Offering beautiful nature and wildlife experiences as well as world-class wines and spirits, local gourmet food, small town charm, and small town charm – it makes an excellent day trip from Melbourne or weekend destination.
Taste Yarra Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at cellar doors that range from architectural landmarks to rustic tin sheds hidden among the vines. Varying terrain conditions give these wines their hallmark elegance.
Healesville Community Market
Healesville Community Market is an absolute must for visitors to Healesville and Coronation Park, taking place every first and third Sunday of each month at River Street Car Park and Coronation Park respectively. This large market features over 100 permanent and casual stalls – from local Scout sausage, burger, cold drink stalls to Crafts, Homemade Jams & Sauces, Bric-a-Brac, Clothing Jewellery Plants Books Toys Tools Olive Oil Olives plus fresh produce such as eggs nuts & fruit stalls! So make sure not miss this fantastic experience!
At this market, you’ll find talented artisans like Danielle Dream Catcher creating incredible pieces made with bird perches and materials hung from a circle. Additionally, food stalls and a coffee van offer plenty of food offerings with lovely music drifting from each stall; its volume increased with every step taken through the market; dogs were wandering freely as were two blue tongue lizards lying under their respective owners feet!
RACV Members can save 10% or more off tickets to top attractions, like SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. Healesville offers many inexpensive ways to satisfy your sweet tooth or simply satisfy a chocolate craving; Four Pillars Gin Distillery also serves up delicious cocktails!
Healesville is also an ideal foodie’s paradise, boasting numerous restaurants and cafes to discover. For something different try visiting Healesville Cheese Factory to sample local cheeses and wine; or indulge in some gourmet gelato from Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery.
For art and culture enthusiasts, there are various galleries to visit such as Healesville Museum and Art Gallery, Healesville Public Library, and Yarra Ranges Regional Arts Centre. Or take a guided tour through Yarra Valley history with emphasis on its Aboriginal heritage by joining Yarra Ranges Historical Society!
Gladysdale Bakehouse
Yarra Valley boasts an extensive variety of food and beverage establishments, from cozy cafes to elegant wineries. Notable venues like Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar provide a unique wine tasting experience coupled with hyperlocal cuisine; Four Pillars Gin showcases its vibrant gin culture.
Gladysdale Bakehouse is a must for those with a sweet tooth! Renowned for their delectable pies and cakes that customers rave about, as well as offering beverages such as coffee and milkshakes, this bakery stands out as one of the best places in Gladysdale to satisfy that sweet craving.
The restaurant provides an ambiance of relaxation and comfort, making it the ideal spot for enjoying a meal with family or friends. Staff members are friendly and helpful; service is top notch. Food is delicious but a bit costly for what it offers.
Rochford Wines in Yarra Valley is another wonderful eatery for families to dine at, offering Italian food and wine in an inviting, family-friendly environment with stunning vineyard views from their dining area. Their friendly and helpful staff ensure a pleasurable dining experience!
Visit Yarra Valley Dairy to try some of Australia’s finest cheeses. They sell handmade soft cheeses such as chevre and marinated spreads – as well as wines and charcuterie from local suppliers!
Yarra Valley Gardens provides the ideal setting for an enjoyable day trip, featuring well-kept and flower-filled gardens with various areas to discover and walking tracks to follow.
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is an indispensable destination for chocolate enthusiasts. Boasting over 150 gourmet varieties of gourmet chocolate, the shop allows visitors to watch chocolatiers at work. Entry is free but to avoid crowds it’s best to arrive early!
Iron Brook Donkey Farm offers another fantastic way to experience the Yarra Valley: its scenic mountain pasture backs onto Yarra State Forest, offering magnificent Ada Trees as well as tall tree ferns for hiking along their trail or relaxing on their deck chair and taking in stunning views.
Four Pillars Gin
Four Pillars Gin was founded in Healesville, just an hour outside Melbourne, in 2013. Since then it has become one of the world’s most award-winning distilleries. At Four Pillars they’re passionate about producing an Australian-themed gin by combining Mediterranean citrus and Asian spices for an intense flavour profile that stands out both when drunk with other beverages as well as neat.
The Rare Dry Gin is their flagship gin, produced with a German Carl still for the first time in Australia. This unique spirit blends local botanicals such as lemon myrtle and Tasmanian pepperberry leaf, with exotic ones like cinnamon, cardamom, coriander seeds, and star anise for a delightful citrus experience. Infused with whole orange zest to bring an added citrus note into play against its background of strong pine needle juniper.
This Bartender Series gin is ideal for classic cocktails like the Negroni. Boasting robust citrusy flavour with subtle ginger and turmeric notes to provide complex complexity, it balances out with its traditional juniper, angelica root, and lavender root base for an excellent drink in any glass.
Yarra Valley grapes are another key element in this gin. By steeping these shiraz grapes from local cool climate shiraz grapes in their original Rare Dry Gin recipe, they create an iconic drink that boasts both sweet fruit flavours and robust ginny notes – creating the ultimate blend.
If you’re visiting the Yarra Valley, Four Pillars should definitely be on your itinerary! Their combination of gin and grapes will leave you truly impressed. Additionally, Four Pillars also offers other alcoholic drinks, from their signature cocktails made with their gins to infused vodkas or craft cocktails made with them; food pairing options and bottles of their gin for takeaway; they even sell 700mL bottles to bring home with you!
Oscar’s on Yarra
Oscar’s on Yarra is a boutique country hotel located along the Yarra River in Warburton and offering guests an extensive range of activities and attractions. Perfect for both couples and families alike, its spacious rooms boast spectacular views of the Yarra Valley while equipped with private ensuite bathrooms as well as flat-screen televisions with tea/coffee making facilities.
Restaurant on site offering fine country cuisine and regional wines. Food prepared using seasonal local produce whenever possible and an outdoor terrace sheltered by a 100-year-old oak tree provide shade. Open both to hotel guests as well as general public visitors.
Oscar’s on Yarra offers an abundance of restaurants and bars nearby, such as Rumi’s Middle Eastern cuisine – such as its popular menu featuring hummus, crispy chips, creamy toum, fattoush salad and other delectable delights – at affordable prices with friendly and helpful service.
Warburton offers many activities for visitors to enjoy such as hiking, horseback riding, cycling and fishing. It is also well known for its wineries; many cellar doors in Warburton can be visited for tours. There are also art galleries and museums nearby as well as a popular market called Queen Victoria Market that add to its charms.
Oscar’s on Yarra Hotel is located approximately 10 minutes’ drive away from Yarra Valley Archery Park and 20 minutes’ walk via rail trail from Warburton town centre, not to mention being within easy driving distance of numerous vineyards and restaurants.
Couples especially enjoy this property for its luxurious beds. Families with children also give it high marks. Plus, guests can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and parking on site plus an on-site bar and lounge with an inviting fireplace!