An Insider's Guide to Warburton

Whatever the reason for coming to Warburton – you’re participating in a cycling event, joining in a family day or simply out in Warby for a weekend with friends – there is always a reason to stay and explore more in the Warburton Valley.

With its quaint village feel, unique retail offerings and local warmth, you’ll be captured by Warburton’s good food, great coffee and the desire to linger longer on the main street, but there is even more to discover in the outlying forests and valley!

Here are some ideas for how to get into the feel of ‘Warby Ways’ when you next come to stay. The more times you visit the more ways you will find to enjoy the unique charms of this ‘gem’ town the locals call 'down-the-line'.

Local and Lovely

• The Warburton Handmade shop at The Waterwheel Visitor Information Centre is humming with gorgeous local handcrafts for perfect gifts and mementos of your visit. There’s a gallery onsite featuring local artists too.
• Fresh produce galore with more than 450 fruits to try from the sublime to the never heard before at Rayner’s Orchard. Pick and take home fresh produce here or at any number of local U-Pick berry and cherry farms (over summer). And don’t forget the apples at Sanders Apples.
• Pop in to Yarra Valley Gourmet Foods for gourmet salad dressings, jams, jellies, mustards, cordials, chutneys/relishes, mayonnaise, vinegars, and muesli all made from local ingredients. YUM!

Spectacular Spots for Amazing Views

• Observation Tower at the top of Mt Donna Buang with 360 degree views of everywhere
• Seven Acre Rock – with edge of the world views back towards Port Philip Bay - short walk from car park (on the road to Noojee)
• Blue Lotus Watergardens (season late December to Easter) is a must-see destination that is out of this world stunning.

Step Back in Time

• Mont De Lancey is a historic homestead, with gardens, blacksmiths, gift shop and more. See how life was on the farm
• Walk into History is a sectioned walk that retraces the early timberlines through old growth forests and passes old mills and relics of a time long gone.

Chill Out

• No need to rush home! Add a day, slow down the pace of life and enjoy the fresh air and billion star nights. Accommodation options include the convenience of the Alpine Hotel or Honeyeater Cottage. Campers, RVs and caravans make your way to Warburton Holiday Park. The Warburton Motel is a laid back mid-century motel located just 2 mintues walk from town and a perfect base for adventures.
• Don’t want to drive? Need a local to take you to the ‘out of the way’ places, or just interested to learn more (especially about wine!). Put Shortlist Private Tours, Driven Indulgence and Yarra Valley A2B on your speed dial!

Wine Time!

• Yes, it’s always wine time in the Warburton Valley with a stunning selection of boutique wineries dotted along the Warburton Highway including the highly awarded Seville Estate and plenty more.

Outdoor Memory Making

• The Yarra River is nestled right behind the shops on the main street and is a delightful playground for swimming, fishing, walking and lilo’ing! In summer people even float down the river to town for a coffee, walk back upstream and do it all over again!
• Hire a bike (from Cog and Yarra Valley Cycles are good places to start) and set that goal! Take on the 40-kilometre Warburton to Lilydale Rail Trail, a mostly flat cycle track through the constantly changing landscape of the Yarra Valley. Pick a short section (great for little legs) or set your mind for the distance!
• Bike and Hike Warburton offer eco-adventures with 'easy as' drop offs and pick ups for hikers and cyclists in the Kombi.

Feel Good Forests - Perfect for a Forest Bathe

• Redwood Forest, East Warburton has been called everything from mystical, magical to a little bit eerie! Decide for yourself with a walk among this plantation of 1000 perfectly aligned Californian Redwood trees – and make sure you go ‘out the back’ – there is a lovely stream and native bushwalks to enjoy in this historic area*
• Rainforest Gallery – an elevated walk in the canopies of ancient mountain ash. Read the stories of Indigenous history along the way

Leave your car at your accommodation and enjoy a leisurely walk or even cycle to your destination!

And if you’re looking for more things to do in the Warburton Valley click here.