Experience one of Victoria’s favourite food and wine playground through our Yarra Valley 3 Day Itinerary.
Looking for a perfect weekend getaway from Melbourne? Wondering what are the best day-trip options, sight-seeing attractions, nearby places, and things to see and do? Then read this guide as we journey to one of Australia’s premier wine regions – Yarra Valley.
For me, even thinking that there’s a world-class wine region located an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD is surreal. But, when the region is surrounded by hundreds of wineries offering pleasant atmosphere, varietals of wine, and delicious cuisine, you know it’s something special that Australia is really proud of.
The vastness of Yarra Valley cannot be described in just words. From its rolling hills and vineyards to its nearby quaint towns and suburbs, Yarra Valley is one of Victoria’s most admirable playgrounds. For decades probably, Yarra Valley has lured tourists from all over Victoria and its neighboring states to come and experience the beauty of this incredible wine region. And honestly, visitors don’t get bored of it – even if they visit multiple times. On your every visit, you could expect something new or refreshing happening at Yarra Valley.
More importantly, Yarra Valley is not only blessed with delicious wineries but also recreational parks, walking & hiking trails, wine cellar doors, a weekly farmer’s market, and plenty of exciting things to do.
While your first-ever visit to Yarra Valley might come as an overwhelming surprise, I want to make sure you nail every bit of your planning to have a memorable time. In this article, we’ve curated an in-depth guide – right from journeying into the Yarra Valley to discovering little things of life’s pleasure. You’ll find day-trip ideas, guided excursions, a detailed Yarra Valley itinerary, tips & other resources. Oh, plus a map to help you plan your adventure well!
Why Visit Yarra Valley in Australia
Let’s first understand why you need to visit Yarra Valley?
Well, it’s pretty straightforward that it’s one of Melbourne’s favorite weekend destinations. But that’s not the only reason. The main interest lies in discovering experiences & niche activities nearby Yarra Valley. If you ask me, is 3 days in Yarra Valley sufficient? I would definitely say a yes. But, probably a no – if you need to visit nearby towns and scenic attractions. And that’s the best part.
Yarra Valley opens up a gateway of opportunities to discover Australia's most impressive towns.
In a town known as Healesville, you find the best of the country’s food and wine scene. Be it hipster bars, glowing nightclubs, galleries, and pubs – there’s every bit of Australian flair to compete against the greatest of the cities. Next to Healesville is a lovely town called Warburton, best known for boasting natural wonders and scenic drive routes. Venture more, and you’ll find yourself in Marysville – where there’s a paradise for all adrenaline junkies.
The point is, when you visit Yarra Valley, you open up different possibilities to extend your journey. So, if you had planned a 3 day trip to this most exciting wine region – be sure to check out worthwhile places. Experience every ounce of the region’s most discoverable things, and find pleasures that can place a memorable vacation in your heart.
Overview of Yarra Valley 3 Day Itinerary
Let’s now give you a gist of what to expect in this 3-day Yarra Valley itinerary.
Firstly, although the days seem shorter for this trip, 3 days in Yarra Valley is more than enough to cherish what the region offers. The intention behind curating this itinerary was to design a perfect weekend getaway from the nearest city. Here, in this case – it’s Melbourne.
You’ll start your journey from Melbourne and then experience the best things to do. These include visiting the vineyards of Yarra, hiking, bush-walking, sampling the local flavors, exploring the Dandenong Ranges National Park, riding the Puffing Billy steam train, and getting close to the Australian native wildlife.
Itinerary for 3 Days in Yarra Valley
Day 1: Melbourne to Olinda
Day 2: Olinda to Healesville
Day 3: Healesville to Warburton
The total journey for the above-designed route is roughly 117kms. Suppose you drive non-stop from Melbourne to Warburton; it would take approximately 2hr 6mins.
Map of Yarra Valley 3 Day Itinerary
Here’s a map, displaying the route from Melbourne to Yarra Valley.
Likewise, you could cover these destinations in a single-day trip. However, I won’t recommend that – because you’ll miss out on places and things to do along the way. It’s best to give some time to admire and appreciate the beauty of Yarra Valley. Thus, a minimum of 3 days is recommended to explore this wine region.
Besides the things included in our 3 days itinerary, I’ve recommended a few more optional tours and guided excursions. You can add these options to your trip, customize it and make a new one out of it.
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A Detailed Yarra Valley 3 Day Itinerary
Now that you’re well versed with the planning tips, here’s a brief itinerary for y0u to spend 3 days in Yarra Vallley:
Day 1: Melbourne to Olinda
Driving Time: 53 minutes (49.6kms)
Located 50kms from Melbourne CBD, Olinda is one of the charming villages of Yarra Valley. Nestled atop the scenic Dandenong Ranges, this small town packs some exciting things to see and do. Since this will be your first stop, I’ve listed some of the top things to do in Olinda on your day.
Visit the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Garden
As locals say, ‘no visit to Yarra Valley is complete without exploring the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Garden’ – I definitely feel it’s true to a large extent. The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is one of the state’s most premier gardens, overlooking the expansive views of the Yarra Valley. The place is a treat for all avid plant lovers, known to harbor many exotic species, such as azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and daffodils.
What I loved the most about this botanic garden – is its ever-changing landscape. Cometh any season, and you’ll discover the seasonal beauty in its gardens. This makes the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden a year-round exploration site.
As you wind through the valleys of Dandenong’s picturesque lands, take garden tours to explore this amazing 43 hectares of land. Furthermore, head out east to the R.J. Hamer Arboretum, consisting of a BBQ facility and a lookout area. If you prioritize relaxation, head to the Valley Picnic Ground for a quick snack.
Explore the Cloudehill Gardens
Take a short walk from the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden to visit another popular attraction – Cloudehill Garden & Nursery. I have to say that I found the latter one to be more impressive than the Dandenong Gardens. The Cloudhill bustles with a lush green range of flowers and plant species, housing some of the country’s most unique varietals. Venture this nursery to find bluebell woodlands, peony gardens, beautiful paved stone paths, and an amazing spring shrub walk.
Drench yourselves at Olinda Falls
You may ask – a waterfall close to Melbourne city? Is that for real?
It surely is! Just beneath Mount Dandenong lies the famous Olinda Falls – one of the prettiest waterfalls in the entire Yarra Valley region. The Olinda Falls Picnic area’s beautiful pathway leads you to this famous fall, where you can picnic and relax at your own convenience. You might also want to check out the Sherbrooke Falls, which is rather a small version of the Olinda Falls.
Please note: The walk leading to Olinda Falls might get little tricky after heavy rainfalls. Ensure that you wear proper hiking shoes to tackle any unforeseen obstacles. Also, the trail leading to the falls is a medium grade bush-walk. If you feel its too much, you can skip the hike and rest near the picnic area.
Explore Galleries, Restaurants & Workshops
Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring the many workshops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes spread across the Olinda region. During my tour, I visited the Only Mine Chocolate Factory, which is located right in the city center. It was fascinating to watch the locals creating their art on chocolate-based products. Oh, if you can’t resist, then sample a few!
Furthermore, you can explore the local art store of Touchstone Craft Gallery to browse through some of their famous artwork. All the items displayed here have been made by over 250 craftspeople. So, try to purchase if you like something.
End your day one visit by hitting the right restaurants located in Olinda. I visited Pie in the Sky, which specializes in making handmade cakes, pastries, and gourmet pies. It’s also a good spot to take away some light snacks. If you feel like going heavy on your lunch or dinner, I recommend checking out these places – Dudley’s, Citrine Bistro & Bar, and Ranges at Olinda.
Day 2: Olinda to Healesville
Driving Time: 37 minutes (38kms)
Excited for day two? Here’s what you have on your schedule:
Today, you get introduced to some of Yarra’s most fascinating experiences, including the region’s contemporary art, incredible food & wine, impressive cellar doors, and award-winning restaurants.
Start off your day by journeying to Healesville – home to regional markets, artisanal producers, up-market stores, boutique hotels, and pubs & cafes. The standout architecture of the buildings on the main road, coupled with niche discoveries, makes Healesville a hard miss.
Get Acquainted with Native Wildlife
As soon as you reach the town, visit the Healesville Sanctuary wildlife park. Get yourself greeted with over 200 species of friendly native animals, including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingo, and Tasmanian devils. Apart from spotting these species, there’s a lot to do, such as exploring the main track, woodlands track, treetop boardwalk, and much more.
Tickets & Membership: The entry fee for Healesville Santuary is $40 for adults, $36 for senior citizens, and free for children (aged 0-15). You can also get your membership at $10 a month over 12 months.
Try & Sample Local Wines
Head to TarraWarra Museum of Art in the afternoon, located on the Healesville-Yarra Glen Road. This will be the most memorable moment of your Yarra Valley itinerary, as you taste award-winning pinot noir and sample different wine varietals. While you relish the flavour of these Australian wines, don’t forget to marvel at the contemporary art displayed at TarraWarra Museum.
If the experience isn’t enough, then make your way to the intriguing wine cellar doors that house the Healesville region. Domaine Chandon is one you shouldn’t miss, as they offer great bush-walking vineyard tours. You can also meet the locals who produce wine and learn some interesting history from them.
If you need alternatives, I recommend visiting these wineries – Giant Steps, Payten & Jones Valley Vignerons, Long Gully Estate, and Jayden Ong Winery and Cellar Bar.
Recommended: As an optional tour to this Yarra Valley itinerary, you can take a detour to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Get yourself introduced to the world of chocolates, take tours of production and sample free chocolates of your choice.
End your day two adventure by fine-dining at one of the luxurious hotels of Healesville. If you prefer standard, budgeted-stays – these options might come in handy.
Day 3: Healesville to Warburton
Driving Time: 28 minutes (30.6kms)
Pumped for your last day in Yarra Valley? Let’s go hit some unique places today:
On day three of the Yarra Valley itinerary, we will be taking a tour of the beautiful town of Warburton. A 28-minute drive from Healesville, Warby (as the residents call it) is one of the fascinating places to visit in the Yarra Valley. The town is nestled amongst the dense-forested hills of the Yarra Ranges, which makes it perfect for immersing yourselves in nature.
There’s a lot to see and do near Warburton, including hiking around Californian Redwood Forest, swimming at the upper Yarra river, bush-walking at Mt. Donna Buang, and indulging in the local food & wine.
Here’s a small list of the unique things to do in Warburton:
Wander through the Warburton Redwood Forest
Warburton Redwood Forest is one of the town’s primary tourist regions. The place has gone all gaga over its beauty, offering different exploration opportunities for tourists and locals. Don’t be surprised if you see a flock of beckoning day-trippers hiking or walking the magical forests of Warburton.
Warburton Redwood Forest harbors thousands of Californian Redwoods. These long, towering Sequoias have greatly attracted visitors traveling from Melbourne or other cities. Since it’s one of the photogenic spots, expect some crowd.
Explore a Myriad of Hiking Trails
You’re wrong if you thought Yarra Valley is all about food and wine. Let’s break the ‘most-obvious’ thing because Yarra has much more to offer, including some adventure experiences. And hiking is certainly one of them.
I believe some of the best hiking trails can be found in the Yarra Ranges. I am sure there are many around the region, but specifically in Yarra, the trails are much more diverse and unique. Maybe it’s the densely forested areas or the rich vegetation that calls Yarra its home.
I encourage you try out some trails (if time permits) when you visit Warburton.
La La Falls: This walk is best-suited for families who want to cover a short distance of Warburton’s famous trails. The total path is 3.2km long, leading you to the famous La La Falls.
Yarra River Trail: This trail is more challenging, and requires moderate fitness levels to complete. The Yarra River Trail runs 6km long, leading to picturesque lands and viewpoints.
Relax, Swim, or Kayak the Upper Yarra River
In summers, you’ll find the Upper Yarra River crowded with tourists. However, visit any off-season – and you’ll be greeted with a much calmer environment. Back when I visited Warburton, this was one of my favorite places to explore. It doesn’t really strike you as much of a tourist attraction but still provides a pleasing atmosphere to soothe a tiresome journey.
Most locals in Warby swim or kayak the cool waters of Yarra to beat the glaring temperatures. If swimming isn’t your game, purchase a tube or lilo from a shop to float around these waters. Alternatively, kayaking in this region is one of the popular things to do.
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Where to Stay in Yarra Valley
I know planning a trip requires time and, more importantly, research. Especially when it comes to accommodation – it takes immense work to find the best hotel stay.
Gladly, Yarra Valley offers a wide range of accommodation options for spending a memorable vacation. Be it luxurious, budgeted, homestead, or a mid-range suite – you’ll find your desired options in no time.
Let me first break down the accommodation best suited for our Yarra Valley 3-Day Itinerary. It’s important to understand where you’ll be staying each night during your trip.
Where to Stay in Olinda
Lochiel Luxury Accommodation: Visitors looking for a fancy stay in the Yarra Valley can find luxurious cottages here. It features an open lounge area, wood fire space, balconies, and a large hot hub. This is a great deal for someone seeking luxury at decent rates.
FernGlen Forest Retreat: A great option for those looking to base right in the heart of Dandenong Ranges. The retreat features a garden, an open patio, a fully equipped kitchen, and other essential amenities.
Some of the other options you might link include – The Mountain View Cottage, The Mulberry Cottage, and Wildwood Lodge.
Where to Stay in Healesville
Yarra Gables: Located 2-minutes from the heart of Healesville, Yarra Gables is one of the preferred hotel options for families and youth. All the rooms are spacious featuring nice garden views. Plus, Healesville Sanctuary is only a 4-minute drive away from this property.
Sanctuary House Resort Motel: Looking for budget hotels in Healesville? This property is the one for you. Offering great services and amenities at a striking deal, Sanctuary House Resort Motel is one of the best options to stay in the town.
Enclave at Healesville Holiday Park: Featuring a garden, outdoor pool, and spacious rooms, this property is a great option for couples traveling to the Yarra Valley.
Where to Stay in Warburton
Charnwood Cottages in Warburton: This property in Warburton is one of the most beautiful cottages I’ve ever seen. A great deal for the money if you’re looking to fancy up your visit with a modern-looking villa.
Buttercup Hill: Warburton has no shortages of cheap, budget stays, including the Buttercup Hill. This ideal-looking apartment is best fitted for families and couples looking to stay overnight.
Places to Eat & Drink at Yarra Valley
Along with the places to visit in Yarra Valley, there’s a lot to discover in the world of gastronomy. Being one of Australia’s premier wine regions, it is no surprise that Yarra will treat its travelers with lovely culinary tales.
While most travelers often skip the fun part, I urge you not to miss Yarra’s food adventure. The best way to do so is to list your favorite cuisine and then match the restaurants based in the wine region. This way, you can be sure of trying some exciting dishes produced locally from the farms.
However, I would like to recommend a few restaurants or cafes that might be worth visiting –
Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen: Located 10-minutes from Olinda, Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen is a delight to everyone who loves Indian cuisine. They specifically focus on the South Indian food and representation of the state of Kerala. Some of my favorites include trying Keralan thali, Papdi chaat (Indian nachos), and Pani Puri Bombs.
Bam Bam Italina: Located on Belgrave-Gembrook Road, this was another place I thought deserves mention. If you cherish Italia cuisine, Bam Bam Italina is your best bet. Try their mushroom pizza, buffalo mozzarella, and pork & fennel sausage to savor your appetite.
Blueberry Farm Winery:Â This place is a well-known winery in Yarra. In one of the cellar doors, you can sample wine, try their cider, and relish a local, regional platter. Moreover, you can also purchase their homegrown jams, toppings, and condiments.
Hope you found our Yarra Valley itinerary useful!
There’s a lot to discover in the region, only if you give the required time. Having said that, you’re visiting the best places listed in our 3 days itinerary. But, if you simply wish to extend it, do so by adding some of the below optional tours. These guided excursions complement our trip and can enhance your overall touring experience.
Further Readings & Resources
Love Australian road trips? Here’s a couple of in-depth guides:
Great Ocean Road: The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary for 2 Days
Melbourne to Coober Pedy: 9 Sensational Melbourne to Coober Pedy Road Trip Stops
Explore Fleurieu Peninsula with us:
Experiences: Best Things to Do in the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
Where to Stay: 10 Gorgeous Places to Stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula
Coastal Towns: 10 Unique Places to Visit on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
