9 Reasons Why the Yarra Valley is Your Go-To Winter Destination.
Just because it’s winter, doesn't mean you have to hibernate. The Yarra Valley is a truly spectacular winter destination, full of seasonal produce, tranquil beauty, crisp fresh air and adventure to be had.
Find yourself in foodie heaven, exploring local art and culture, cosying up beside a crackling fire, or cellar door hopping.
Here are our top experiences to try this winter...
1. Eat the seasons
We all love eating fresh and seasonally - it just tastes better. The Yarra Valley is home to some of Victoria’s most excellent farmers, growers and makers, and with winter produce at its finest right now, indulge your taste buds with a farm gate visit.
Meeting the farmers, growers and makers is both fun and rewarding. Smell the fresh air and find yourself wandering throughout the food bowl that is the Yarra Valley, a pure treat you can never get enough of.
Wander through farmgates and eat the seasons
2. Find yourself in foodie heaven
Local market produce? Yes, please. Find yourself in foodie heaven by exploring the many Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges fantastic markets. Discover delicious surprises, goodies and gifts for all your family and friends.
Yarra Valley Farmers Market - Held all year round from 9am to 2pm in the historic barn at Yering Station on the third Sunday of each month, the market is a lively place with food tastings, lots of chatter, tantalising aromas and a visual feast of foods, flowers and flavours.
Find a local market in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges
Healesville Organic Market - Whether or not you are a shopping buff, take some time out of your busy schedule and visit the unique Yarra Valley Organic Market, held on every Saturday from 8am to 1pm.
Yarra Valley Markets Calendar - The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is a mecca for those that love a good market with a mix of food, craft and night market.
Find when a local market is on
3. Cycle through tranquil scenes
Take it slow and meander through the beautiful scenes of the Yarra Valley, or put some power to the pedal, the choice is all yours.
From the popular Lilydale - Warburton Rail Trail to the glorious vista of the Yarra Ranges National Park that cradles the upper reaches of the Yarra River there’s a path for you.
Why not enjoy the scenic rides such as the Chum Creek to Toolangi climb and the challenge of the Mt Donna Buang summit.
Top Tip: Acheron Way is a definite must visit for the true cycling enthusiast, arguably one of Australia’s most stunning roads for riding.
4. Visit one of Victoria’s most massive trees
The Ada Tree, located in the Yarra State Forest in the Yarra Valley, is a giant Mountain Ash and is considered to be one of Victoria's largest living trees. It is estimated to be over 300 years old and towers over the surrounding rainforest in the headwaters of the Little Ada River.
5. Cosy up beside a crackling fire
Warming up beside an open fire in the depths of the cold weather is what many people consider a perfect winter's afternoon. Warm your cockles and cosy up beside a crackling fire, while sharing a bottle of vino, local produce and maybe even a cheeky cheese platter to share.
Dine beside an open fireplace at Tarrawarra Estate enjoying delicious seasonal food, fine wines and a warm friendly atmosphere.
Share a table at Zonzo, with some of the best views of the Yarra Valley and tasty wood-fired pizzas. Link:
6. Shop up a storm
Let us not forget the genuinely fantastic shopping on offer in the Yarra Valley. Charming towns and villages are filled with interesting speciality shops brimming with beautifully chosen and designed goods from both local craftspeople and well-selected examples from those further afield.
Shop Healesville or get your retail therapy fix in Sassafras and Olinda.
7. Explore local arts & culture
The Yarra Valley is a vibrant arts precinct where you could find yourself in the home studio of a local artist during 'Open Studios', being awestruck by the beauty and depth of our history and heritage in the museums, expanding yourself in an artist lead workshop or experiencing internationally acclaimed music in one of our many cultural centres.
Why not wander the exhibitions at the acclaimed Tarrawarra Museum of Art and browse the selection of local artisan products in their retail nook.
8. Explore a bushland haven at Healesville Sanctuary
Wander through the tranquil tracks and meet some iconic Australian animals like Koalas, Kangaroos, Platypus, Dingoes, Wombats and Emus.
Healesville Sanctuary is also home to the Australian Wildlife Centre, a hospital that treats more than 2000 sick and injured native animals every year and is a valuable training centre for wildlife veterinarians.
Don’t forget! Kids are free every weekend, public holiday and every day of Victorian School Holidays.
9. Go cellar door hopping
Yarra Valley wineries are buzzing at this time of year as Winemakers gear up to showcase their new releases. Find yourself in the award-winning vineyards, cellar doors and wineries of the Yarra Valley, sampling signature drops, sharing vintage stories and shaking the hands that picked the grapes.
