Sip your way through Australia's finest cool-climate wineries — Domaine Chandon sparkling, Yering Station Pinot Noir, artisan chocolate and vineyard vistas just one hour from the city.
Nestled among rolling green hills just one hour east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is Victoria's oldest and most prestigious wine region. Established in 1838, the valley now boasts over 80 cellar doors, more than 160 vineyards, and a thriving artisan food scene that has earned it recognition as one of the world's top cool-climate wine destinations.
The region is internationally celebrated for its elegant Pinot Noir, refined Chardonnay and exceptional traditional-method sparkling wines — varieties that thrive in the valley's cool, maritime-influenced climate and rich volcanic soils. Beyond wine, the Yarra Valley is home to award-winning chocolatiers (Yarra Valley Chocolaterie), artisan cheesemakers (Yarra Valley Dairy), craft gin distillers (Four Pillars), and farm-gate producers that together create a complete gourmet paradise.
Unlike larger commercial wine regions, the Yarra Valley is defined by its intimate boutique wineries — family-run estates where you'll meet the winemakers, hear their stories, and taste small-batch wines rarely found outside the cellar door. Names like Domaine Chandon, Yering Station, TarraWarra Estate, De Bortoli, Coombe and Yarra Yering are recognised globally — and this is the region that crowned Giant Steps as Halliday Wine Companion's Winery of the Year. A guided tour is the best way to experience them.
Visit 3–4 hand-selected boutique estates and taste award-winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines.
Australia's premier sparkling wine specialist — one of only six Chandon properties outside France.
Handmade Belgian-style truffles, free tastings, gelato and panoramic terrace views over the vineyards.
Yarra Valley Dairy cheese tastings, regional charcuterie and farm-gate olive oil from local producers.
Optional Healesville stop at one of Australia's most celebrated craft distilleries — gin flights with botanicals tour.
The Yarra Valley is home to wild Eastern Grey kangaroos — frequently spotted at dusk grazing in vineyard paddocks.
Our tours bypass the crowded commercial cellar doors and take you straight to the boutique estates that locals love. These are family-run wineries where the owner is often the one pouring your glass, where the vineyards stretch right to the tasting-room window, and where you'll discover small-batch wines that never make it to retail shelves.
Each winery visit includes guided tastings of 5–8 wines, with expert commentary on the varietals, winemaking techniques, and the unique terroir that gives Yarra Valley wines their celebrated character. Most tastings can be upgraded to include a barrel-room tour or library-vintage flight by request.
The Yarra Valley's reputation rests on a remarkable concentration of world-class estates within a 30-minute radius. Our tours blend the marquee names with smaller family-run cellar doors known mostly to locals. Selections vary by departure based on availability, your group's preferences, and which winemakers are pouring that day.
The big name in Australian sparkling — one of only six Chandon properties outside France, owned by Moët Hennessy. Beautifully renovated tasting room, panoramic patio, and the "Behind the Bubbles" masterclass.
Victoria's oldest vineyard. The historic winery features an excellent restaurant, panoramic vineyard views, and a celebrated Shiraz Viognier. A must-visit for the heritage alone.
One of the most architecturally stunning cellar doors in Australia — with adjoining TarraWarra Museum of Art showcasing Australian art from the 20th century to today. A subterranean cave-like tasting room.
Family-owned since 1928, with an exceptional estate restaurant, generous tastings, and a celebrated Riorret single-vineyard Pinot Noir range. Beautiful gardens for warm-weather lunches.
The former home of the legendary Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba — now a heritage-listed cellar door, restaurant and gardens. Cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir showcase the estate's terroir.
One of the region's most esteemed boutique producers, founded in 1969 by the late Dr Bailey Carrodus. Now under winemaker Sarah Crowe — twice crowned Halliday Winery of the Year. Cult-following Dry Red No. 1.
Crowned Australia's best in the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. The Healesville tasting room is named after John Coltrane's 1960 jazz album. Single-vineyard Pinot Noir is the obsession here.
Beyond the marquee names, our private tours can include James Halliday's Coldstream Hills, the daffodil-shed Maddens Rise, Helen & Joey Estate, Soumah, Dominique Portet and other family-run gems.
No Yarra Valley tour is complete without a visit to the iconic Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. Perched on a hillside with panoramic vineyard views, this destination showcases handcrafted Belgian-style chocolates, truffles, pralines and gelato — over 200 varieties, all made on-site using premium ingredients.
Free chocolate tastings are available throughout the venue, and there's an extensive gift shop where you can pick up beautifully packaged boxes for yourself or someone special back home. The all-day café menu also serves brunch, stone-baked pizza and excellent coffee — a perfect mid-tour stop for non-drinkers in the group.
Long before vines were planted on these volcanic hills, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples held custodianship of this Country. The name "Yarra" itself derives from Birrarung — the Wurundjeri name for the river meaning "river of mists" — a description that still rings true on cool autumn mornings when fog rolls through the valleys.
The Wurundjeri are part of the broader Kulin Nation, which comprises five language groups whose Country covers central Victoria including modern-day Melbourne. The historic Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve near Healesville (1863–1924) is one of the most significant Aboriginal heritage sites in Victoria — a place where Wurundjeri and other Kulin Nation peoples built a thriving self-sustaining community whose story of resilience and resistance continues to be told today.
Cooee Tours acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. Where appropriate, our private tours can include cultural experiences in partnership with Wurundjeri-led organisations.
Traditional Custodians of Birrarung (the Yarra River) and its tributaries, including the Yarra Valley wine country. Part of the Kulin Nation. Their seasonal calendars and cultural practices shaped this landscape over tens of thousands of years.
Five language groups — Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, Bunurong, Taungurung, Wathaurong and Dja Dja Wurrung — whose Country spans central Victoria. The Kulin share a common cultural and ceremonial identity expressed through ancient kinship systems.
Established 1863 near Healesville, Coranderrk became a self-managed Wurundjeri community of national significance. Its story of resilience and the long fight for land rights remains one of Victoria's most important Aboriginal heritage narratives.
The Wurundjeri name for the Yarra River — meaning "river of mists" — describes the morning fog that rolls through the valley to this day. The river's name is now officially recognised as Birrarung in many Victorian government documents.
The Yarra Valley is beautiful in every season, with each offering its own unique character and charm for wine lovers. There's no wrong time to visit — only different experiences.
Bud-burst, new vine growth and blooming countryside. Mild weather perfect for vineyard walks and outdoor tastings. Fresh vintage releases hit the cellar doors.
Lush green vines, long golden evenings and vibrant cellar doors. Peak season for rosé and sparkling wines on sun-drenched terraces. Hot air balloons launch most mornings.
Harvest season — the most atmospheric time of year. Golden and crimson vine leaves, grape picking activity, and the best photography conditions. Cool, crisp mornings are made for wine.
Cosy cellar doors with crackling fireplaces, mulled wine and intimate tastings. Misty Birrarung mornings live up to the name. Fewer crowds and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
Make your tour unforgettable with one of our signature add-on experiences. Each can be incorporated into private departures or arranged as part of an extended 2-day package.
Launch at sunrise for a one-hour flight over Yarra Valley vineyards, followed by a champagne breakfast at a winery — then join your wine-tour day. Spectacular aerial views of the patchwork vineyards and Birrarung river country.
Enquire about ballooning → Half-Day ComboCombine wine country with native wildlife. Zoos Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary houses 200+ Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, Tasmanian devils, wombats and the rare lyrebird in natural bushland enclosures.
Add a wildlife visit → Distillery TourHealesville's celebrated craft gin distillery. Botanicals tour, four-gin flight with Fever-Tree tonic, and an educated ambassador walking you through the unique native ingredients in each gin.
Add a gin masterclass → 2 DaysStay overnight at Chateau Yering Hotel (heritage 1854) or a vineyard B&B. Sunset tastings, dawn balloon flight, and a leisurely second-day winery experience without the rush back to Melbourne.
Build a 2-day tour →"An absolutely fantastic Yarra Valley day trip from Melbourne. The wineries were hand-picked perfection and our guide's knowledge of the wines was incredible."
"Perfect mix of wine, chocolate and scenery. The boutique wineries were so much better than the big commercial ones. Highly recommend this Melbourne wine tour."
"We came for the wine but the chocolate stop stole the show! Beautiful valley, excellent guide, and we bought a case of Pinot Noir to ship home."
"As a wine professional, I was genuinely impressed by the quality of wineries on this tour. Small-batch, family-run estates — exactly how wine should be experienced."
Wine tasting and driving don't mix. A guided Yarra Valley tour means you can savour every sip without a worry, while your expert guide ensures you experience the region's very best — not just the tourist headliners.
Taste freely at every stop — no designated driver needed. Air-conditioned comfort door to door.
Passionate local guides with deep wine knowledge share tasting notes, pairing tips and winery stories.
We hand-pick boutique estates based on wine quality and guest experience — no tourist traps.
Maximum 20 guests ensures intimate tastings, personal attention and a relaxed, social atmosphere.
The Yarra Valley is approximately 60 km east of Melbourne CBD — about a 1-hour drive through the city's leafy eastern suburbs into the rolling vineyards around Coldstream, Yarra Glen and Healesville. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Approximately 8–9 hours door to door. Pickup is from central Melbourne hotels around 9:00 AM with return at 5:30–6:00 PM, including comfortable travel and around 6 hours of winery visits, tastings and lunch.
Itineraries are curated based on group preferences and seasonal availability. Featured estates typically include Domaine Chandon (sparkling specialist), Yering Station (Victoria's oldest vineyard, 1838), TarraWarra Estate (with adjoining art museum), De Bortoli, Oakridge, Coombe Yarra Valley (Dame Nellie Melba's estate), Yarra Yering and Giant Steps. Each tour visits 3–4 cellar doors over the day.
The Yarra Valley is internationally acclaimed for its cool-climate Pinot Noir, refined Chardonnay and traditional-method sparkling wines. You'll also discover excellent cool-climate Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc across the region's 80+ cellar doors.
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Yarra Valley, part of the broader Kulin Nation. The name "Yarra" derives from "Birrarung", the Wurundjeri name meaning "river of mists". The historic Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve near Healesville (1863–1924) is one of the most significant Aboriginal heritage sites in Victoria.
Standard tours include a 2-course vineyard restaurant lunch with matched wines. Premium and private tour upgrades include 3-course chef-led degustation experiences. Some packages allow free time to choose from winery restaurants and cellar-door dining options. Check your tour option for full inclusions.
Yes — dawn hot air balloon flights over the Yarra Valley vineyards are available as a private tour add-on. The flight launches at sunrise (around 5:00–6:30 AM depending on season), lasts approximately one hour, and is followed by a champagne breakfast before joining your day's wine tour. Subject to weather and minimum group size — best booked as part of a 2-day overnight package.
Yes. Healesville Sanctuary — Zoos Victoria's native wildlife park with over 200 Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, Tasmanian devils and the rare lyrebird — combines beautifully with a Yarra Valley wine tour. Available as a half-day add-on or part of our 2-day Yarra Valley overnight package.
Absolutely. Most cellar doors offer wines for purchase at cellar-door pricing. Many also arrange domestic and international shipping, so you can send your favourites home. Cellar-door-only releases are some of the best buys — these wines often never make it to retail. Tip: bring a cooler bag in summer for safe transport back to your hotel.
Absolutely. The Yarra Valley offers far more than wine — Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Yarra Valley Dairy cheese tastings, vineyard scenery, Healesville Sanctuary and the Coombe Estate gardens are all wonderful for non-drinkers. We can also tailor private tours around food-focused itineraries with chocolate, cheese, gin and produce as the focus.
The Yarra Valley is far more than just wine. This lush green valley is a complete sensory experience — from rolling hills and misty Birrarung mornings to artisan producers crafting world-class food and drink, plus native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary just down the road.
Over 80 cellar doors to explore
Farm-gate flavours from local producers
Breathtaking views in every season
Visiting Victoria for a longer stay? Pair the Yarra Valley with another iconic Australian wine or nature region for a richer journey. Available as private departures or scheduled small-group tours.
The classic Victorian wine pairing — cool-climate Pinot Noir of the Yarra paired with the Peninsula's Chardonnay and ocean-side cellar doors. Two contrasting terroirs in two days.
Enquire about this combo → 3 DaysWine country meets coastal drama. Day 1 in the Yarra Valley, overnight, then continue to the Twelve Apostles and Great Ocean Road for the iconic coastal scenery.
Enquire about this combo → 3 DaysCombine premium wine country with Australia's most famous wildlife encounter — the nightly Phillip Island Penguin Parade, plus koalas at Halls Gap and seal cruises at Seal Rocks.
Enquire about this combo → 5+ DaysThe complete Victoria private circuit — Yarra Valley wines, Phillip Island penguins, Great Ocean Road, the Grampians and Mornington Peninsula — five regions in one bespoke journey.
Build a custom trip →Combine your Yarra Valley wine experience with other iconic Victorian day trips departing daily from Melbourne.