An Insider's Guide to Warburton and Surrounds

Only one hour from Melbourne, the picturesque town of Warburton promises unforgettable adventures in every season!

Enjoy reconnecting with nature, relaxing by the river, trying delicious meals prepared from farm fresh produce and forest walks. Explore cycling trails, scenic views and famous attractions including La La Falls, Mt Donna Buang, the Rainforest Gallery and Ada Tree Walk close by.

An easy drive from Melbourne's CBD, Warburton is a great destination for families, couples, group trips or solo travellers. Plus, there are lots of beautiful accommodation options to extend your stay. Go on, spoil yourself!

Here are some ideas for your next visit to Warburton and the surrounding areas.

Eat, Stay and Play

Make The Alpine Hotel Warburton the base for your Warburton adventure. Located in the heart of Warburton, this charming hotel also features an inviting restaurant, perfect for unwinding with family and friends. Check out their family-friendly indoor dining spaces or get outside and enjoy dining in their beer garden as the Yarra River flows by. Friendly, relaxed country hospitality? Yes please!

Delicious Food and Drink

Come ready to satisfy your appetite with impressive food and drink options. Enjoy delicious dishes and refreshing beverages crafted from fresh, local ingredients for an unforgettable culinary experience!

• Open for lunch and dinner, Babaji's Kerala Kitchen is an award-winning, laid-back, South Indian restaurant. Awarded One Hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2024, Babajis specialises in home-style curries and Kerala favourites. Enjoy a meal beside the open fires or sit outside with tables overlooking the Birrarung (Yarra River). They are dog-friendly too!

• Explore fresh produce galore at Rayner’s Orchard with more than 450 fruits to try. Enjoy your favourite fruit varieties and discover some you've never heard before. Tractor fruit tasting tours are available throughout the year where you can pick and take home fresh produce. There's always fruit in season!

• It’s always wine time in the Warburton Valley with a stunning selection of boutique wineries dotted along the Warburton Highway including Seville Estate and Seville Hill.

• Situated adjacent to the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, The Launching Place Home Hotel has been a Yarra Valley icon since 1883. Today, the historic pub has been reimagined, catering for tourists, travellers and locals alike. Grab a drink in their friendly bar or gather with family for a casual dinner in the bistro.

Local and Lovely

With its quaint village feel, unique retail offerings and local warmth, you’ll be captured by Warburton’s local shopping, markets and art.

• There's so much to discover at Yarra Valley ECOSS, the environmental and educational not-for-profit community hub committed to showcasing sustainable solutions has fantastic events, a weekly Friday afternoon market, community initiatives and a Food Forest and Community Garden.

• Situated on Warburton's main street, The Waterwheel Visitor Information Centre provides tourist information, hosts an art gallery and has a must-see retail outlet called Warburton Valley Handmade which showcases locally handmade goods and craft-workers in the region. The perfect place for gifts and mementos of your visit!

• Looking for indoor entertainment? The Arts Centre, Warburton has a busy program of exhibitions, digital cinema, concerts, plays and dance performances by professional touring groups and community theatre groups as well as a fantastic range of classes and workshops.

• Open every Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, the Upper Yarra Museum is a great place to explore local history. Check out their historical displays and collection of historical buildings and step back in time.

Outdoor Memory Making

There's even more to explore in the Warburton Valley when you connect with nature. Whether you crave action and adventure or prefer a slower pace, there's something for everyone.

• 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. Discover more ways to cool down in the Yarra Valley.

• Blue Lotus Water Gardens' season starts in late December each year and runs until Easter. It is a must-see seasonal garden and tourist attraction in Yarra Junction. Experience a magnificent display of magical lotus flowers and many other exotic blooms and plants across a tropical-themed water garden spanning over 50,000 square metres. It's must-do when visiting Warburton and surrounds!

• Book an experience with Warburton Adventure Company and immerse yourself in nature. Choose from river sledding, river tubing, caving, abseiling, mountain biking tours and more!

• Explore Warburton's amazing cycling tracks. Why not take on the 40-kilometre Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, a mostly flat cycle track through the constantly changing landscape of the Yarra Valley.

Seriously Stunning Views

The Warburton Valley is adorned with breathtaking views, showcasing rolling hills, lush forests, and the winding Yarra River, creating a picturesque landscape that captivates the senses at every turn.

• Take a refreshing walk through the majestic Californian Redwood Forest, just 15 minutes from Warburton. Do some forest bathing in the company of almost 1500 enormous red-barked trees, some of which stand up to 55 metres high, towering into the sky. Head through the forest and down to the river to find the forest's walking trails.

• One of the most stunning places to visit in our region is the Warburton Rainforest Gallery. This must-do free activity has two attractions. First, you’ll experience an elevated ‘skywalk’ viewing area perched 15 metres above the forest floor. This 40 metre long aerial walkway is suitable for wheelchairs and prams. The second is a short 20 minute boardwalk that descends into the forest with multiple viewing areas where you can walk amongst the ferns and enjoy the sounds of Cement Creek flowing past on its journey to the Yarra River.

• The Observation Tower at the top of Mt Donna Buang has 360 degree views of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and Cathedral Ranges, Mount Baw Baw and the Alps. It is also a popular picnic area and starting point for walks on the mountain.

• Seven Acre Rock is a large rocky outcrop that provides some of the most spectacular views of the Yarra State Forest, Bunyip State Park and adjoining farm land. On a clear day, it is possible to see Western Port Bay and Port Phillip Bay.

Terrific Tours

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 nature and wine!)? Book a tour with our favourite local tour operators, Yarra Valley Manna Gum Tours and Driven Indulgence.

Yarra Valley Manna Gum Tours' exclusive small group, private, luxury nature and wildlife tours allow you to immerse yourself in the region's stunning landscapes whilst Driven Indulgence is the only Yarra Valley-based tour operator that provides a designated driver service in your own car.