Yarra Valley: Victoria's premier wine destination
One of Australia's premier wine areas awaits just one hour's drive from Melbourne.
WHY GO Melburnians are blessed to have weekend destinations just one hour's drive from their city centre. One such experience is Victoria's Yarra Valley - renowned for producing quality cool climate wines such as chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz.
TO DO Meander through the picturesque townships of Yarra Glen and Healesville, home to quirky boutiques, handicraft stores and home décor havens. In Healesville, shop for funky leather bags, hand-made soaps and knitted fashions before visiting native Australian animals at Healesville Sanctuary (www.zoo.org.au/healesvillesanctuary). In the afternoon, stop for Devonshire tea at Harvest Café next to the Healesville Hotel before visiting the wineries. Vineyards not to miss include Yering Station (www.yering.com), TarraWarra Estate (www.tarrawarra.com.au), also home to a modern art museum, and Domain Chandon (www.chandon.com.au). This area also has many boutique wineries worth a visit, check www.wineyarravalley.com for details.
EAT The Yarra Valley is renowned for its cuisine. Visit Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander (www.innocentbystander.com.au) for a hearty breakfast or a gourmet pizza washed down with an in-house brewed beer or wine. Wattleseed Café (www.wattleseed.com.au) serves an all-day breakfast and enormous portions of traditional comfort food and cakes while TarraWarra Estate (www.tarrawarra.com.au) presents refined, contemporary surroundings for a relaxed lunch in front of an open fire. For dinner, visit the restaurant at Mt Rael (www.mtrael.com.au) or Healesville Hotel (www.healesvillehotel.com.au), or simply relax in your accommodation with delicious cheeses, chutneys and cured meats from Kitchen & Butcher (www.kitchenandbutcher.com.au) and a recommended bottle from the experts at Barrique Wine Store (http://barriquewinestore.com.au).
STAY Visit www.stayz.com.au for a range of accommodation options. Our top pick for couples is Black and White on Green (www.blackandwhiteongreen.com.au), a supremely-stylish one-bedroom cottage with full kitchen and laundry within walking distance of restaurants, shops and pubs, priced from A$220 per night. The spacious shower and tub, plus open gas fireplace separating the bedroom and bathroom make it ideal for romance, but not so ideal for small children. Healesville Hotel (www.healesvillehotel.com.au) has chic, luxuriously-appointed rooms just upstairs from the pub and restaurant at A$100 to $130 per night. And you can experience the country lifestyle at your own private farmhouse on 18 acres of land - complete with resident animals - at Harvest Farm (www.healesvillehotel.com.au), perfect for families and larger groups. Prices available upon request.
WHEN TO GO A visit to the Yarra Valley is recommended at any time of the year. In spring, autumn and winter temperatures can drop below zero overnight, but fireplaces, ducted heating and electric blankets ensure you stay warm.
GETTING THERE Fly direct to Melbourne with Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com), Qantas (www.qantas.com) and Emirates (www. or via Darwin with Jetstar (www.jetstar.com). The townships of Yarra Glen and Healesville are just one hour away, driving east from Tullamarine Airport or Melbourne's CBD.
Posted Nov 2010
