9 Reasons Why the Yarra Valley is Your Go-To Winter Destination

Winter doesn’t have to mean disappearing under a doona until September.

In the Yarra Valley, the cooler months bring their own kind of magic: crisp country air, misty vineyard views, fireside feasts, seasonal produce, cellar door adventures and plenty of reasons to rug up and roam.

Spend the day grazing your way through foodie favourites, exploring local art and culture, sipping something lovely by a crackling fire, or chasing a little fresh-air adventure between cosy stops.

Here are just a few experiences to warm up your winter:

1. Eat the seasons

We all love eating fresh and seasonal - 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.

Particularly during the winter, truffle lovers should make a point of visiting Truffle Valley to enjoy these savoury luxe treats. Truffle season runs from mid-June to late August, and the farm gate shop is open for sales on Sundays. They also offer a truffle hunting experience, allowing you to see how it's all done.

Also if you think fruit picking is only done in summer, you need to visit Rayner's Orchard where there is delicious fruit to pick all year round. On every guided tour, you’ll taste at least 8 different varieties, and yes, it’s all you can eat straight from the trees. No bags, no limits, just pick, taste, enjoy.

Meeting the farmers, growers and makers is both fun and rewarding. Smell the fresh air and find yourself wandering through the food bowl that is the Yarra Valley, a pure treat you can never get enough of.

Wander through farm gates and eat the seasons

2. Find yourself in foodie heaven

Local market produce? Yes, please.

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are made for slow market mornings, where baskets fill quickly and “just having a browse” somehow turns into local honey, handmade preserves, fresh sourdough, farmgate fruit, flowers, cheese, sweet treats and a little something special to take home.

Wander your way through the region’s fantastic markets and discover the makers, growers, bakers and clever creatives who bring so much flavour and character to the hills and valleys. From picnic supplies and pantry staples to thoughtful gifts for family and friends, there’s always something delicious, beautiful or brilliantly unexpected waiting to be found.

Come hungry, bring a bag and leave with a taste of the region.

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 to 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 must-visit for the true cycling enthusiast. It is arguably one of Australia’s most stunning roads.

Find a cycling route

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.

Walk amongst the trees

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.

Where can you experience fireside dining? Check out our suggestions below.

Explore Fireside Dining

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 specialty shops brimming with beautifully chosen and designed goods from both local craftspeople and well-selected examples from those further afield.

Discover our Healesville Shopping Guide

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.

See more Art & Culture venues

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.

Visit Healesville Sanctuary

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 our award-winning vineyards, cellar doors and wineries, sampling signature drops, sharing vintage stories and shaking the hands that picked the grapes.

Find Wineries in the Yarra Valley